Expect software solutions for Apple TV and 2011 MacBook Pro graphics bugs-CNET (blog)

In Apple's latest round of software and hardware releases got the second generation Apple TV a software update to add more features for HDMI support, AirPlay and surround sound for Netflix movies; However, along with the update a number of people found that their televisions began to flicker, especially if they were using HDMI to DVI adapters.

More recently, is Apple's updated line of MacBook Pro systems an error profiled on MacRumors and discussed in great length on this Apple discussion board thread, where the systems are to stop responding (hang) when under heavy load occurred. Although the machines seem to be carried out, it seems the input to them to be frozen, so users cannot do, and eventually forces the system to restart.

These machines have new hardware in them, including four-core CPUs and brand new Thunderbolt i/o technology, and it is possible there may be a bug in the firmware or software drivers for these new features, which can lead to the problem. The same applies for the Apple TV problems, which is clearly a software problem because they are happening with the latest updates started.

In both situations, have Apple representatives said that they are aware of the problem and working on a fix, which in the form of a software update in the near future to come. In the meantime, if you have problems with these new machines are experiencing consider some potential solutions you can try.

For the Apple TV, you can use an alternate connection to your television to try if you have a DVI to HTMI adapter, but this seems to be the only fix that so far has worked for people.

For the new MacBook Pro is the problem is probably in your display drivers, since most of the crashes are happening when people graphics options in different programs or graphics intensive applications such as games or CAD software. In these cases would you try to start and run your system in safe mode (hold down the SHIFT key at startup) to see if that can be done without the potential for the crash. In addition, you can try the graphics settings in the programs that you use to see if that helps reduce the problem.

In terms of the graphics in the new systems, there may be a problem with the use of the discrete graphics card or with switch technologies. Either way, you can try to test the problem by installing "gfxCardStatus," that a tool that can force the system to use only one GPU and thus prevent automatic switching or the use of a GPU. Try different setups of the GPU with this tool to see if you can avoid the problem.

Finally, an option you could try is formatting the hard disk and reinstalling the operating system. Although the issue is addressed by the engineers at Apple, in the past, some problems have happened due to defective original install, and are resolved by reinstalling the operating system.

Regardless of what you do, make sure you have regular backups of your data to avoid losing your work, and lets hope Apple issues a fix soon. It seems that the engineers work hard to do this.

UPDATE: Apple has released OS X 10.6.7, which focuses on this graphical bug in the new 2011 MacBook Pro systems. The update should be available via Software Update, but can also be downloaded as a manual update of this Web page. Make sure your system completely back up before you apply this update.

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