MacBook Pro Users Reporting Vertical Lines on Screen After Waking
09 May 2008 08:53 EST
Chris Barylick
A number of users are reporting an occurrence of an ongoing display issue that appears to be primarily affecting Penryn-based MacBook Pro laptops. According to MacFixIt, the problem manifests itself in the form of alternating light and dark vertical bands which appear on the screen when the notebook wakes from sleep.
The problem is easily resolved on a temporary basis but occurs repeatedly for most of the users reporting the issue:
One account on the Apple Discussions board from user "Atomic Wedgie" reads as follows:
"...every so often, when I wake the MBP (Penryn) from sleep, I see alternating bands of light and dark vertical "stripes" along the screen. It looks as if half the LED backlights did not activate."
The issue doesn't appear to be related to Mac OS X's graphics drivers, as the issue does not manifest itself when the notebook is booted into Windows under Boot Camp.
Reports have indicated that Apple is aware of the problem and working on a fix, which may be released as part of the anticipated Mac OS X 10.5.3 update or as its own firmware update.
Fixes for the problem include the following:
-Press control-shift-eject, which forces the display to turn off and reset. This has been the most straightforward fix so far.
-Put the computer to sleep (From the apple menu or close the lid), wait for the computer to sleep, and then open the lid or press a keyboard button to wake it from sleep.
-Restart the computer.
If you've seen this on your end or discovered another fix or workaround, let us know over in the comments or forums.
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MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5.1: Hits and Misses
25 April 2008 08:12 EST
Chris Barylick
Things will never be perfect with computer software, but some moments get funkier than others.
According to MacFixIt, a number of users have reported issues with Apple's newly-released MacBook Pro Firmware Update 1.5.1 software. In given cases where the firmware update itself failing, the Firmware Restoration CD 1.7 has only proven successful for a moderate number of users.
Other issues with the update include issues using the function keys after applying the update, as one site reader recalls:
"Since applying the MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5.1, I have lost all functionality of my function keys and can no longer command-tab between applications. MacBookPro 2.4Ghz; 4GB RAM."
The update applies to late-2007 MacBook Pro laptops with firmware version MBP31.0070.B05.
To its credit, the update has been cited as resolving an external display issue for some users wherein external displays went blank after the MacBook's lid was closed for a given amount of time.
If you've seen any major changes, positive or negative, on your end after the firmware update, please let us know in the comments or forums.
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Apple Releases MacBook Pro EFI Firmware 1.5.1 Update
22 April 2008 08:00 EST
Chris Barylick
Late Monday, Apple posted a revised version of its recently released MacBook Pro EFI Firmware. The update, a 4.9 megabyte download, is still stated as providing bug fixes to help improve the stability of the computere.
Once the update is applied, your MacBook Pro’s Boot ROM version will be listed as either MBP21.00A5.B08 or MBP31.0070.B07.
Like most system updates, the MacBook Pro EFI Firmware 1.5.1 update can also be located and downloaded via Mac OS X's Software Update feature on qualifying MacBook Pro notebooks.
Given the reported errors discovered in the MacBook Pro EFI Firmware 1.5 update, this may serve as an effort to resolve issues that may have emerged within the recent release. If you've installed version 1.5.1 of the firmware and noticed any major changes, positive or negative, please let us know over in the comments or forums.
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MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update Leading to Blank Screens
18 April 2008 12:05 EST
Chris Barylick
In the wake of Apple's recently-released MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update, a number of users are apparently finding themselves without a usable screen.
According to AppleInsider, assorted users, especially those with external displays attached, are discovering that their computer screen refuses to display an image even in circumstances where the system is completely responsive.
"From as best I can tell, the MBP is booting up with no problem, I just have a black screen," said one user on the Apple discussion forums. "I let the computer start up, and run for several minutes. I then sent the keyboard command to log off, and I could hear the computer activity increase."
Common solutions, including resetting the PRAM, appear to fail, although a small number of users have discovered workarounds by restoring firmware and deleting display sleep preferences. This appears to be hit or miss and the problem remains at large with no official comment from Apple.
If you've seen this problem or similar circumstances on your end, let us know over in the comments or forums.
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MacBook Pro Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0 Leading to Freezes on MacBook Pro Laptops
15 April 2008 04:47 EST
Chris Barylick
February's MacBook Pro Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0 may be proving to be more trouble than it's worth. According to MacFixIt, a number of users have written in complaining as to freezing issues that have arisen in the wake of the update.
"I have a MacBook Pro (Penryn) 2.4 GHz which behaved well for the first five days then presented the problem of unpredictable freezes at startup. I've done quadruple PRAM zappings dozens of times. Occasionally, it will start promptly, but 3 out of 4 startups freeze."
The article also adds that freezes are more likely to occur when the laptop is running from battery power and that the problem can manifest itself at startup or after an hour or two of normal operation.
Unfortunately, the recently released MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5 doesn't seem to resolve the issue.
Aside from keeping the MacBook Pro persistently connected to power, solutions for this issue are few and far between. Some users have reported turning keyboard backlighting off reduces incidence of the issue. This fix can be accomplished by going to System Preferences, selecting "Keyboard and Mouse," going to the Keyboard tab, then deselecting the option "Illuminate keyboard in low light conditions."
If you've seen this issue on your end or have found a good solution or workaround, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Full Penryn-Based MacBook Pro Teardown Posted
27 February 2008 08:30 EST
Chris Barylick
Whether you have a new Penryn-based MacBook Pro on order or not, there's always some curiosity about the internals on a newly released model. The guys at Anandtech went one step further and posted both a side by side
comparison between the brand new laptop and its predecessor as well as posted a full unpacking and teardown gallery.
Take a look and, as always, let us know what you think over in the comments or forums.
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More Penryn-Based MacBook, MacBook Pro Facts Confirmed
27 February 2008 08:22 EST
Chris Barylick
The new MacBook and MacBook Pro units have arrived and, with every release, comes the things we want to know. The folks at The Unofficial Apple Weblog have done some digging and established the following tidbits:
-The new units ship without the US$19 Apple Remote.
-Only the MacBook Pro is shipping with the multi-touch trackpad functionality. Apple has apparently decided this helps differentiate the higher-end portables from the MacBook line.
-Only the MacBook Pro will receive LED backlighting, something which is only standard on the 15" unit. LED backlighting is available as a US$100 build-to-order option on the 17" MacBook Pro and is unavailable on the MacBook.
-The new MacBook Pro units feature a slightly new keyboard layout that excludes the virtual number pad.
Stay tuned for more tidbits as they become available and if you're able to get your hands on one today, please let us know what you think of it over in the comments or forums.
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New MacBook Pro Stock Numbers Entering Circulation, Updated Notebooks On the Horizon
25 February 2008 02:44 EST
Chris Barylick
Apple may be a bit closer to releasing an updated version of the MacBook Pro, as new part numbers and pricing for new MacBook Pro models appeared to be cropping up in assorted inventory systems worldwide this past weekend.
According to AppleInsider, three new Apple-formatted part numbers (MB402LL/A (Good), MB403LL/A (Better), and MB404LL/A (Best)) have appeared in Apple's inventory management systems for both Apple and channel resellers such as Best Buy.
The part numbers, listed for future MacBook Pros models, were included alongside pricing that matches Apple's current offerings at US$1999.00, US$2499.00 and US$2799.00, respectively, for those part numbers.
Click the jump for the full story...
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15" MacBook Pro Units Running Dry in Sales Channels
18 February 2008 08:30 EST
Chris Barylick
If it's popular, it'll sell.
According to AppleInsider, the MacBook Pro line of laptops may be that much harder to get a hold of given that the inventory channel has been severely constrained over the past three weeks.
Apple retail partner and online reseller Best Buy has recently run out of the 15' MacBook Pro models, and has begun to list wait times of one to two weeks for availability.
In the meantime, other Apple resellers have stated that they've been able to maintain their stock of 15" MacBook Pro units, although incoming and forward-looking orders have decreased appreciably over the past month in anticipation of a product refresh.
Click the jump for the full story...
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Sonnet Releases 21-in-1 Multimedia Memory Card Reader and Writer
17 December 2007 02:05 EST
Chris Barylick
On Monday, Sonnet Technologies announced the release of its new
21-in-1 Multimedia Memory Card Reader and Writer. The card, which retails for US$29.95, is designed for the ExpressCard/34 slot found on the MacBook Pro laptop and will be available on Wednesday, December 19th.
According to Macworld News, the unit can read from and write to 21 different flash memory card formats such as the Memory Stick, MultiMedia Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), xD-Picture card and others.
The 21-in-1 card requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later and an available ExpressCard/34 slot to function.
Had luck with a similar product or found something better? Let us know over in the comments and forums.
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Apple Releases MacBook Pro Software Update 1.2
02 November 2007 08:30 EST
Chris Barylick
Late Thursday, Apple released its MacBook Pro Software Update patch. The firmware upgrade, a 14.4 megabyte download, focuses on improving graphics stability and is recommended for the mid-2007 2.2 GHz and 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro laptops running Mac OS X 10.4.x (Tiger).
As always, the update is available through Apple's web site or Mac OS X's built-in Software Update application provided you have a qualifying computer.
If you've installed the update and had a chance to play with it, let us know how it's worked out in the comments or forums.
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Apple Redesigning MagSafe Adapters for MacBook Pro
10 October 2007 10:36 EST
Chris Barylick
After a series of issues regarding quality design, Apple has currently halted its shipments of MagSafe power adapters and seems to be working on a fix, according to AppleInsider.
Several sources close to the story have stated that Apple began pulling its 85 watt MagSafe power adapters from its retail locations a few weeks ago. The sources have stated that Apple has also discontinued shipments of the MagSafe adapters to third party retailers ahead of "redesigned" models that are expected to ship in late October or early November.
MacBook Pro owners have reported at least three reoccurring issues with their adapters, including the tendency to heat up and fray near both the power brick and MagSafe adapter, which creates a potential hazard.
Another issue includes a tendency for the MagSafe adapter's pins to improperly spring back into place. The bug can result in a faulty connection.
The final major bug with the adapters centers around the LED indicator light will intermittently shut off even though the adapter continues to charge the MacBook Pro.
The Apple online store has indicated that new orders for the MacBook Pro's 85 watt power adapter will ship in two to three weeks. Apple is currently declining to ship replacement units until the redesigned adapters are available to send out with other retailers listing the part on backorder.
If you've seen this error on your end or have any thoughts or feedback, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Apple Releases Battery Update 1.3 for 15" MacBook Pro Laptops
03 October 2007 05:23 EST
Chris Barylick
Late Wednesday, Apple released Battery Update 1.3, a firmware update for its 15" MacBook Pro laptops.
The update, a 480 kilobyte download, is designed to update the battery's firmware and improve battery functionality.
Battery Update 1.3 is available through Mac OS X's built-in Software Update feature and requires Mac OS X 10.4 and an Intel-based 15" MacBook Pro laptop to run.
If you've tried the update and have either positive or negative feedback about it, let us know in the comments or forums.
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MacBook Pros May Not Require Latest EFI Firmware Update
03 October 2007 07:51 EST
Chris Barylick
In response to Apple's latest EFI firmware update for certain MacBook Pro laptops (the fix addresses an incorrect disk partitioning/journalism scheme), the guys over at MacFixIt have found that a large number of their respondents couldn't install the EFI firmware update and had to back up their laptops, repartition their hard drives, restore data and then install the firmware update.
Even in these cases, a few users still couldn't get their MacBook Pro units to accept the update.
Under these circumstances, MacFixIt has discovered that third-generation MacBook Pro laptops and MacBook Pro units with firmware numbers beginning with "MBP31" (check for this in the Apple System Profiler program) don't seem to require the update. Apple has quietly changed their online information regarding MacBook Pro laptops with the "MBP31" number, which has helped to confirm this.
If you've seen this on your end or experienced your own EFI firmware update horror story, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Sonnet Announces FireWire/USB ExpressCard/34 for 10.5-Based MacBook Pro Laptops
23 August 2007 02:50 EST
Chris Barylick
Sonnet Technology has announced that it will be releasing its FireWire/USB ExpressCard/34 peripheral for Mac OS X 10.5-equipped MacBook Pro notebooks this October.
The card, which works with the ExpressCard/34 slot found on Apple's MacBook Pro laptops, features one USB 2.0 port and two FireWire 400 ports. Sonnet has announced a US$69.95 price tag for the device.
If you have any thoughts or feedback on this, please let us know in the comments or forums.
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Apple Releases MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1
10 August 2007 08:16 EST
Chris Barylick
Late Thursday, Apple released the MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1 patch. The update, a 14.7 megabyte download and can also be located through Mac OS X's Software Update feature.
The update provides bug fixes and stability improvements with Apple's Motion 2 and Motion 3 software suites and is recommended for the 2.2 and 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro units. Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later is required to install and run the update.
Please let us know if you've installed the update and had either a positive or negative experience with it. If you have any stories or feedback, let us know in the comments or forums.
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MacBook Pros Exhibiting WiFi-based Kernel Panics
24 July 2007 08:18 EST
Chris Barylick
As good as Apple's hardware and Mac OS X has become, some gremlins remain.
An article over at MacMerc points out a bug involving MacBook Pro laptops in which the user experiences a kernel panic while attempting to use their built-in AirPort wireless cards.
The current workarounds are to either attach an Ethernet cable to the MacBook Pro or use the WiFi function while using the AC adapter, neither solution doesn't really help that whole "portability" thing that people tend to buy a laptop for.
Currently, no statement regarding the problem has been made by Apple and a release date for a fix has yet to be announced.
If you've seen this on your end or have any thoughts, ideas, fixes or workarounds, let us know in the forums.
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Apple Releases MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.3
13 July 2007 09:42 EST
Chris Barylick
Late Thursday, Apple released its MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.3 patch, a firmware update designed to repair a display glitch found on some 15" MacBook Pro laptops running at 2.2 and 2.4 GHz.
The update is a 1.8 megabyte direct download (it can also be found and downloaded via the Software Update feature) and requires Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later to run.
If you've installed the firmware update and have thoughts or feedback about it, let us know in the forums.
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Apple Updates Refurbished MacBook Pro Web Site
09 July 2007 10:19 EST
Chris Barylick
It may be refurbished, but it can still rock.
The
-15" 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo, 2 GB of RAM, 120 GB hard drive, 6X SuperDrive, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256 MB of VRAM with glossy or standard screen for US$1,999.
-17" 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo, 1 GB of RAM, 100 GB hard drive, SuperDrive, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256 MB of VRAM with glossy or standard screen for US$1,999.
-17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo, 2 GB of RAM, 160 GB hard drive, 8X SuperDrive, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256 MB of VRAM with glossy or standard screen for US$2,299.
If you've seen a good bargain elsewhere, let us know.
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Apple Releases MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0
29 June 2007 07:50 EST
Chris Barylick
In one of the most vaguely-described software updates in recent memory, Apple has released MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0, an upgrade for the 2.2 and 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro laptop models.
The description states that the update provides "important bug fixes" and is recommended for these laptops.
The MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0 software is a 14.6 megabyte download (courtesy of VersionTracker) and requires Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later to run.
Apple was vague on this one, so if any of you out there feel experimental today, let us know if this appreciably changes anything (for better or for worse) on your MacBook Pro.
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Blu-Ray Read and Write Support in LED MacBook Pro?
08 June 2007 12:42 EST
Jason D. O'Grady
Apple doesn't mention Blu-Ray support with the new MacBook Pro and I was surprised when a new MacBook Pro owner wrote that Toast 8 showed the OEM Matshita UJ-857E drive as having Blu-Ray read and write support. The UJ-857 (no E) was used in some previous MacBook Pros/MacBooks and was often maligned for things like slow write speeds (4x limited) but I could find no current specs on the UJ-857E model and it's not currently listed at Original Equipment Optical Drives from Panasonic (parent of Matshita). (There may be a japanese page or other panasonic page that's more current?)
New MacBook Pros Matshita UJ-857E - Blu-Ray compatible?
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The President of the U.S. Uses a MacBook Pro (in 24, at least)
22 January 2007 10:08 EST
Jason D. O'Grady
Fox's 24 is my favorite TV show hands down. In fact, it's pretty much the only thing that I watch the night of, whereas everything else is relegated to folders on my TiVo. Ok, I guess there is 30 Rock, but I digress.
In tonight's episode, 10:00am - 11:00am, President Wayne Palmer is hurried off to a secret bunker after a rogue suitcase nuke is detonated in suburban Los Angeles. His computer of choice? A MacBook Pro of course.
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MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo Users Report Flickering Displays/Distortion
30 November 2006 03:11 EST
Chris Barylick
MacFixIt.com has reports in regarding the emergence of flickering displays and the appearance of horizontal distortion lines in the late 2006 model of the MacBook Pro.
The issue, which is similar to a problem that occurred in some of the iBook G4 laptops. Apple seems to be replacing the logic board as a fix, albeit a parts shortage problem may led to delays. The issue doesn't seem to be related to any problems with the display components themselves, but seems isolated to the logic board.
If you've experienced this problem or have any workarounds or ideas, post them as comments.
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MagSafe Stress Relief
28 November 2006 10:00 EST
PowerPage Contributor
For those of you worried about the weak spot/melting point of the MagSafe connector, here's what I've been doing with all my laptop power supplies for the last few years. I cut a short piece of 1/8" spiral cable wrap available at Walmart or Radio Shack, usually in a package of multiple diameters for a couple bucks, wrap it around the weak point and cinch it down hard with a small zip tie and a pair of pliers. Cheap trick, but until they add some real stress relief at that joint, it cheaper than buying a new power supply.
Contributed by: Kent Sievers
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Melting or Fraying MagSafe Adapter Not Covered Under Warranty
27 November 2006 09:52 EST
Jason D. O'Grady
MacFixIt has the skinny on MagSafe power adapters that are becoming frayed and even melting. In
knowledge base article 302461
Apple calls this "strain relief damage" and says that it's not covered under warranty. "Strain relief damage and missing cable
insulation or rubber typically result from excessive force or improper
use which are not covered by Apple's one year limited warranty."
We've received several reports from readers indicating an issue where MagSafe power adapters -- included with MacBooks and MacBook Pros -- fray or melt at the wire-to-head connection point shown to the right, or at the metallic connection point.