Apple firmware update aims to fix vertical line issues on 17-inch MBP

Apple's latest firmware update for the recently shipped 17-inch MacBook Pro sure is light on details, but one thing's for sure: it reportedly nixes those weird vertical line issues that have plagued so many. Unfortunately, the "MacBook Pro Graphics Firmware Update 1.0" doesn't point out whether it was an overheating problem or a GeForce 9600M quirk that was wreaking havoc, but so long as it works, we guess it matters not. Hit up your Software Update when you get enough courage to suck down 770KB of problem-solving goodness.

[Via MacRumors]

[imayam Posted Mar 25th 2009 9:22PM]

huh?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 8:33PM]

Nobody ever tests their stuff before release anymore, right? Is it that hard? Or do they not care because they have a logo everyone recognises and more or less wants?

[fellini Posted Mar 25th 2009 8:38PM]

It just works... NOT

Apple is garbage these days. Lousy quality control and major back orders on the 17" model.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 8:41PM]

How can Apple mess this up so badly. They only have a few hardware configurations to work with. What are they doing with all that money including the apple tax.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 11:04PM]

You know if Apple didn't lockdown their hardware and make it mostly proprietary, they wouldn't have that problem.

[shotta Posted Mar 25th 2009 8:45PM]

Pete... I second that.

[Alex Posted Mar 25th 2009 8:47PM]

That same thing was happening to my ProStar (Clevo) four years ago. They had to replace the graphics card and the motherboard.

[editorkid Posted Mar 25th 2009 8:55PM]

I wish Apple would fix the 15-inch MacBook Pros from 2006 that this still happens to. I'm reading this post through grainy red vertical lines.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 9:43PM]

Mac owners, report!

Does this:
A) Underclock the GPU, reducing performance
or
B) Make your MBP sound like a leaf blower.

[morcheeba Posted Mar 26th 2009 1:54AM]

or
C) Re-adjust the internal-to-external framebuffer clock skew (causing no performance change)
or
D) Alter the drive strength on these lines to better meet the timing spec (again, no performance change).

As someone who has written drivers (not for nvidia), I know there are a ton of timing changes that could be made that won't alter the performance, but could fix the problem... let's hope it's one of those. I'd be interested to find out what the exact fix is.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 9:46PM]

They only release what, like 5 computer models every 18 months, how can their quality control be THIS BAD?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 9:56PM]

Hey everybody, look over there!

Problem solved.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 10:20PM]

And almost every Apple fanboy is willing to pay this $3000 laptop.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 26th 2009 5:46AM]

Ha! Most Apple fan boys would never pay this much for a laptop.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 11:02PM]

I'm sure it was just a minor glitch due to sunspots or something. No problem. I'm sure Firmware update "just works." Like all the other Mac stuff does. It might not have happened if Steve was at the helm yelling at employees to make everything perfect.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 26th 2009 5:45AM]

You're obviously an idealistic fanboy.

[superhobo Posted Mar 26th 2009 6:20AM]

Sunspots...OF COURSE!


Btw, your iphone is running Windows XP?

[WKCptton Posted Mar 25th 2009 11:31PM]

Interestingly- About a month ago, there was a huge defense mounted for Apple in an attempt to foist the blame on nVidia. Weird how nVidia wasn't the problem.
Just my standard 'I hate apple' thoughts. Did I mention that before, I really don't like apple...FYI

[Frank2010 Posted Mar 26th 2009 12:30AM]

This is sooo funny. A macbook pro is just a computer just like any other brands. Just because of problem you dont have to talk about it like major news.

To all anti-apple people. You guys or girls have no life. I bet if it was dell or hp you would just ignore it.

note: I use any os and currently own computers that have windows and mac and even linux

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 26th 2009 5:44AM]

Come now, we all know that Apple is special from regular PC companies, and therefore attracts more attention when a problem occurs.

[Slash3 Posted Mar 26th 2009 5:29AM]

It's likely just a BIOS update that will reduce clock speeds slightly and change the fan speed ramping profile to be a bit more aggressive.

[Wwhat Posted Mar 26th 2009 11:41AM]

Or it's some display timing issue that's fixed, we don't know because they will never tell.

It annoys me when companies or groups don't tell what they update, although I mainly come across it in software where they won't specify what's in an update, or if they as in the case with apple quicktime for instance won't tell until months later.
Or, as with ATI drivers for instance, will only tell 'highlights' of updates, information bits they cherry-pick.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 26th 2009 5:42AM]

27MB of pure west-iron steel.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 26th 2009 8:46AM]

MBP? Man Bear Pig?

[vonchambers Posted Mar 26th 2009 12:50PM]

Hmm I guess I can buy my new macbook pro in peace then

[ThomasK Posted Mar 26th 2009 1:52PM]

i got the same probelm with my dell E4200 with windows 7 (64 bit) - it is appearing about once per day.

[Atlantian Posted Mar 28th 2009 12:15AM]

whats the point of a mac book having a good gpu when it cant play game of
oh wait it can use photoshop and edit video nevermind i withdraw my question