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You are here: MacNN Forums > Software - Troubleshooting and Discussion > macOS > Multiple screen flashes .... warning / error message ?

Multiple screen flashes .... warning / error message ?
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MacNNUK
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Mar 3, 2012, 02:35 AM
 
Not sure whether it's software 10.7.3 or iMac specific, but on some actions, I get multiple screen flashes for less than a second.

It is so specific, I presume it is intentional.

I think I read about this somewhere since getting my new iMac and updating to 10.7.3 , but cannot find it now.

It's as if it's telling me the item I am saving and closing has changed ?

Any ideas, can I stop this happening ?

Also, I now don't get "do you want to save / replace" a file from Preview.
( Last edited by MacNNUK; Mar 3, 2012 at 04:06 AM. )

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
Spheric Harlot
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Mar 3, 2012, 06:28 AM
 
Apple menu --> System Prefences --> Accessibility --> Hearing --> Flash screen on alert

Could it be that?
     
MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 3, 2012, 06:56 AM
 
Thanks, it's not that.

I get a multiple flash, multicoloured, perhaps 5 flashes, almost like a demonic screen refresh, and only on certain actions.

I'll try and be more specific when it happens again, around 4 times a day after an action of mine.

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 3, 2012, 07:48 AM
 
I've worked out what causes it ......

When I move with mouse, a file from a folder to the desktop, the screen flashes.

What actually happens, as I move the file to the desktop, first of all it appears bottom LHS of the screen, then there is a screen disturbance, then the file appears where I placed it.

This all happens in the blink of an eye.
If I move the file several times, the disturbance stops, but the file icon still starts off bottom LHS of the screen everytime.

Perhaps something else is using up screen refresh time ?

QT screen record doesn't capture the disturbance.

My stills camera in 30fps movie mode captures the disturbance, which gradually stops after a few moves, sleep restart the disturbances.

Here's a few ( a bit fuzzy ) screen captures.

Three different events below.

My screen is obviously pin sharp, but my camera couldn't focus on it, many diff attempts, close-up, distance etc


Each disturbance only last for about 1/30th second






( Last edited by MacNNUK; Mar 3, 2012 at 08:48 AM. )

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
reader50
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Mar 3, 2012, 06:20 PM
 
Run your Apple Hardware Tests. I'd suspect a GPU issue from the screen corruption.
     
MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 3, 2012, 08:50 PM
 
Thanks, I did this by rebooting and holding down the "D" key.

No problems found.

I'm going to go down the route of disabling various software, though I can live with it if I have to.

(I actually did a hardware test when I first got this iMac a 18 days ago, no problems reported then either)
( Last edited by MacNNUK; Mar 3, 2012 at 08:58 PM. )

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
reader50
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Mar 3, 2012, 09:01 PM
 
If it is a software issue, try safe booting. Shift key held down during boot. Some services won't work. You can also create another account, see if the problem appears there.
     
MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 3, 2012, 09:09 PM
 
Thanks...
Rebooted in Safe mode.

The screen flashing is not there.

I loaded the login items one by one, no problems.

I restarted iMac normally

Screen flashing is back.

Unloading login items did not cure it.

Other items removed from menubar, still flashes.

At least it looks like software, not hardware.

I created another account, NO screen flashing problems there !

Activity Monitor...



Going through, Quitting Process one by one now.
Didn't like me quitting launchd !!


Still flashing with just these applications running
( Last edited by MacNNUK; Mar 4, 2012 at 03:49 AM. )

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 4, 2012, 07:57 AM
 
I have now done a complete re-install of 10.7.3 using Recovery HD USB, still same problem.

I suppose if I did want to clear it, I would have to somehow remove everything, then re-install OSX.

To completely re-install just OSX, presumably I would choose disk utility from the Recovery menu, and erase the HDD ?

See later post, this is exactly what I am doing now.
( Last edited by MacNNUK; Mar 4, 2012 at 04:45 PM. )

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
reader50
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Mar 4, 2012, 01:59 PM
 
You don't need to reinstall the OS - it's something in your user folder. Something obscure from the looks of it, you've checked the obvious things.
     
Waragainstsleep
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Mar 4, 2012, 04:22 PM
 
Start doing a split half search through your user library prefs folder.
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 4, 2012, 04:44 PM
 
I'm on my old backup iMac now, for a few hours !

I took the plunge, Recovery via +R, installed 10.7.3 again. Started this about 8 hours ago, noon UK time.

It kept all my settings, including whatever is causing the problem.

Next Recovery via +R again, this time I wiped HDD using disk utility.
Installed 10.7.3 again, onto clean iMac, chose all the options to transfer from Time Machine... same problems.

I had earlier taken the precaution of screen grabbing all my application and other preferences, as backup, so next...

I have wiped HDD again, and will re-install 10.7.3, and just transfer across files, such as movies and photo's, no settings, and user account, and will re-install some others from .dmg or download.
I always keep a copy of all the original .dmg, zip etc software I have downloaded.

Thanks for your suggestions, Hardware Test and Second account shows me there is nothing wrong with the iMac or 10.7.3, probably some wayward 3rd party app, from when I migrated across from this, my old iMac.

Prior to Recovery, I had indeed deleted many prefs in Library, had to do it manually, couldn't find an app that automatically marked disconnected prefs, like WIndows offers, (from memory !) No joy before I got bored.
Just remembered I have Spring Cleaning / iClean on my old iMac, which looks for orphaned files and preferences, testing it out now

The same settings on this, my old 10.6.8 17" iMac cause no problems at all !
( Last edited by MacNNUK; Mar 4, 2012 at 05:35 PM. )

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
Waragainstsleep
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Mar 4, 2012, 05:38 PM
 
Reinstalling your OS and apps is a waste of your time if you know its a user folder problem.
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 5, 2012, 12:37 AM
 
Here's what's going on at the moment.



5th ? time of Recovery, transferring User Data still gave problem, this time it's going to be a straight install, with me transferring from Time Machine after 10.7.3 basic is up and running, and also re-loading manually, testing as I go along.

At least the download time is back to an hour, at a couple of times 8pm UK time onwards ( when America woke up ? ) I was quoted 59ish hours !!

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
Art Vandelay
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Mar 5, 2012, 02:33 AM
 
Why on earth are you reinstalling again?

The first thing I'd do is remove anything that's using SIMBL.
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MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 5, 2012, 03:23 AM
 
Originally Posted by Art Vandelay View Post
Why on earth are you reinstalling again?

The first thing I'd do is remove anything that's using SIMBL.
a) Until you mentioned it, and I googled it, I didn't know what SIMBL was !
How would I know what is using SIMBL ?


b) 24 hours ago I would have tried this, if I had known.
I now see this on Macupdate page

I've now uninstalled SIMBL from my 10.6.8 iMac, I'll do the same from my 10.7.3 iMac when finished, if it's there after TimeMachine


c) One or two other little niggles that need sorting with a clean install !

Thanks for your input.
( Last edited by MacNNUK; Mar 5, 2012 at 04:01 AM. )

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 6, 2012, 11:46 AM
 
Got there in the end !!

After many attempts ( ten+ ) to clean re-install 10.7.3, trying different options, the only way that worked properly was to do a basic Recover, set-up a clean working system, then import data from my backups.

I did find one major problem Time Machine could not be fully accessed from my new account, permissions.

This is a really bad flaw in Time Machine.

Fortunately for me, just before starting the cycle of recoveries, I had saved some important data to DVD, doing a full backup ( I thought ) to Time Machine.

I used to use Carbon Copy Cloner too, but gave up that HDD for a backup Time Machine on iMac.

Doing a Migrate from Time Machine was one reason I initially had problems, so I didn't go down this route again.

I also do a regular, straight copy backup to an external 1tb HDD, which was my saviour, plus a WiFi network with my old iMac, which stopped giving problems as soon as I ordered the new one !

Plus always saving install .dmg and .zip files elsewhere for all those 3rd party essentials.

I did delete SIMBL, which seemed to do a good job of clearing the problem, as did MPSafeguarding MagicPrefs for my Magic Mouse.

Other little niggles have disappeared.

The whole process took me back to Windows days .....

Lost a whole day and a lot of night, but worth it in the end.

So the main thing I can pass on is........

Time Machine is not a good choice for transferring data to a new machine, or account.

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
reader50
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Mar 6, 2012, 12:37 PM
 
It's a pity you didn't trace the exact cause. That glitch was interesting. But it's good you're out of the woods.
     
MacNNUK  (op)
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Mar 6, 2012, 02:03 PM
 
Thanks ...



I'm only glad it wasn't my 20 day old new iMac !

Hardware or software.

Some good pointers given in this thread, thanks all.

I did delete SIMBL, which seemed to do a good job of clearing the problem, as did MPSafeguarding MagicPrefs for my Magic Mouse.
Both removals reduced the screen disturbance, but did not stop it happening.

QT screen record movie doesn't capture the disturbance.
My stills camera in 30fps movie mode captures the disturbance


So it looks purely like a physical screen refresh problem, not the output from a screen driver, as QT couldn't capture the disturbance.

Anyway, after the clean install, a Happy Bunny now !

( Last edited by MacNNUK; Mar 6, 2012 at 05:29 PM. )

iMac Intel Core i5, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 21.5" Monitor 10.8.3.
iMac 17" 2.0ghz Intel Core 2 Duo w 3gb memory (White one) 10.6.8.
Internal 500gb / 8x external HDD's 250GB - 3TB (4x Time Machine)
     
   
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