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Jan 1, 2008 1:57 PM
by: spudnuty
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607
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Mar 16, 2007
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Grey Screen
Posted:
Aug 8, 2007 1:00 PM
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Hello-I have a dual usb 500 mhz ibook G3. The ibook boots up, but shows a blank grey screen and nothing else. It is lit up, it just isn't displaying any picture. Hooking up an external monitor lets me access the system though, as the external monitor does display picture.
Firstly, does the fact that the display lights up mean that the display itself is not damaged? Could it just be a damaged cable or something internal? I know Apple says if you get a blank grey screen you can try updating your firmware and that may take care of it...I'm not sure.
Second, could resetting the PMU or PRAM have any effect on this? What are all of my possible options for repairing this, besided replacing something? I would like to try all possible options before spending money on a replacement part I don't need. Any answers would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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150 GB Firewire ext., Radeon 9800 w/ dual 21" displays, usb2.0/firewire pci card
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Aug 8, 2007 3:43 PM
in response to: MyrkridianRhaps...
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I just noticed something too...the screen doesn't shut off when I close the ibook. That might be helpful.
G4 Dual 1.4 Ghz Gigabit Ethernet Tower, 10, 30 180 GB HD, 1.5 GB RAM
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150 GB Firewire ext., Radeon 9800 w/ dual 21" displays, usb2.0/firewire pci card
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Posts:
5,762
From:
Land of Enchantment--New Mexico USA
Registered:
Mar 15, 2007
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21,474
From:
The cornfields of Nebraska
Registered:
Feb 2, 2003
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Aug 8, 2007 9:59 PM
in response to: MyrkridianRhaps...
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Helpful
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Have you tried resetting the PMU? The PMU (Power Management Unit) has control over the sleep function. Since the sleep function is involved in your problems, resetting the PMU may help.
eMac800/SuperDrive/512; iBook800G3Combo/640-OS 10.3.9; iBook G4/1.2G/768/10.4.x
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 9:42 AM
in response to: Ronda Wilson
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I did try resetting the PMU and the PRAM. No luck. I know there is a magnet that controls whether the ibook automatically goes to sleep when it is closed, so maybe that is missing. But I suppose it could be a problem with the entire display itself...
I guess all I really want to know is whether I can trust that replacing the display would fix it. Could it be a logic board problem? I just thought maybe the screen was okay since it is at least displaying grey.
G4 Dual 1.4 Ghz Gigabit Ethernet Tower, 10, 30 180 GB HD, 1.5 GB RAM
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150 GB Firewire ext., Radeon 9800 w/ dual 21" displays, usb2.0/firewire pci card
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607
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 9:51 AM
in response to: S.U.
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This article you quoted me isn't totally irrelevant, but it is mainly about the computer not displaying anything. The ibook does display a grey screen so I think this is a little different. I did however follow the steps given in the article with no success, minus the step about booting off a disc. The ibook only has a cd drive and the only boot disc I have is a 10.4 DVD. I understand that I can boot off the disk using target disk mode and another computer with a dvd player, but honestly I don't see how that could possibly solve this problem.
I suppose if it was a software error or something non-hardware related, a complete reinstall of the OS would fix this, no? I have no data that I wish to keep on this machine, but would this be worth the effort? It maybe be my next step since I'm running out of options...
G4 Dual 1.4 Ghz Gigabit Ethernet Tower, 10, 30 180 GB HD, 1.5 GB RAM
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150 GB Firewire ext., Radeon 9800 w/ dual 21" displays, usb2.0/firewire pci card
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21,474
From:
The cornfields of Nebraska
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Feb 2, 2003
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 12:24 PM
in response to: MyrkridianRhaps...
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I doubt it has anything to do with the magnet.
The ibook only has a cd drive and the only boot disc I have is a 10.4 DVD. I understand that I can boot off the disk using target disk mode and another computer with a dvd player, but honestly I don't see how that could possibly solve this problem.
You could maybe run Disk Utility from the DVD and repair the iBook's hard drive that way. Which version of the OS is installed on the iBook?
I suppose if it was a software error or something non-hardware related, a complete reinstall of the OS would fix this, no? I have no data that I wish to keep on this machine, but would this be worth the effort? It maybe be my next step since I'm running out of options...
How would you do an install? Are you thinking of trying it via FireWire Target Disk Mode with the Tiger DVD? If so, you need to know that it takes a full retail Tiger DVD to do it, not a system-specific DVD (such as those that come with a newer computer) and not an upgrade DVD.
If OS X 10.2 or above is installed on the iBook, you could try starting up in Safe Mode. This will take quite awhile longer than a normal startup because it does a file check and repair of the hard disk.
With the symptoms you're seeing, I doubt that Safe Mode will work, though.
It is likely a logic board issue. The iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program FAQ page lists "Computer starts up to blank screen" as one of the symptoms.
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 1:54 PM
in response to: Ronda Wilson
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Rhonda-
I have a full retail version of tiger, and I have installed it on ibooks using target disk mode before so I am sure it is possible. I may just try that (It should only take about an hour I guess) and if that doesn't work, try updating the open firmware. If none of that does the trick, then I will conclude that it is a hardware problem. Then from there I need to determine which piece of hardware, whether it be the logic board or display. I think if it is the logic board, I should be able to do the shim trick, correct?
I will post my findings back in a day or two. Thanks for your help so far.
G4 Dual 1.4 Ghz Gigabit Ethernet Tower, 10, 30 180 GB HD, 1.5 GB RAM
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150 GB Firewire ext., Radeon 9800 w/ dual 21" displays, usb2.0/firewire pci card
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From:
The cornfields of Nebraska
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 5:49 PM
in response to: MyrkridianRhaps...
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There is no firmware update for the iBook G3 (Dual USB), so that is definitely not the problem.
Check out this Apple Knowledge Base article for available firmware updates:http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
Note that none is available for the iBook G3 (Dual USB).
Does squeezing the case to the left of the trackpad help? If not, the shim fix probably won't work, either.
eMac800/SuperDrive/512; iBook800G3Combo/640-OS 10.3.9; iBook G4/1.2G/768/10.4.x
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Three iMacs of various vintages which I haven't mentioned.
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2
From:
Chicago
Registered:
Sep 28, 2007
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Sep 28, 2007 3:26 PM
in response to: Ronda Wilson
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First off, you've done a great job describing the problem and the steps you have taken to correct it. I wish I could say the same about some of the advice you've been given, but I guess it's worth exactly what you paid for it.
The good news is if you can get video on an external monitor it is definitely not a logic board problem. The logic board is feeding good video to the external monitor. Therefore, the problem is with the cables leading to the lcd or with the lcd itself or maybe an inverter issue or lcd lamp (least likely). If you are comfortable disassembling things, you might unplug the video from the logic board and reconnect it. That connection can come loose over time. Rare, but it does happen. Otherwise I would try replacing the lcd if you have one laying around (20 minute easy repair)
Since I have the same problem, I would love to know the answer. When I figure it out, I will let you know.
Once again, if the video works on an external monitor, you don't have to reset pram, pmu, reformat the hard drive, or any other non-lcd component solution. the computer is working. The lcd isn't. Hope that helps.
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Posts:
21,474
From:
The cornfields of Nebraska
Registered:
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Posts:
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From:
montreal
Registered:
Oct 2, 2007
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Oct 2, 2007 9:55 AM
in response to: Ronda Wilson
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hi, i'm sorry to interrupt you guys, but i have the same issue with my ibook G3 dual usb. the screen won't light up when i turned on ibook, but chime goes on, HD spinning takes place,and TDM works to see contents of ibook with my macbook pro. I also found that mini VGA won't work on both external LCD monitor and TV.
So, as Ronda mentioned, if external monitor does not work, does this indicate that the problem is something to do with the logic board? meaning i need to replace the logic board? (i have replaced the logic board once with Extension program)
dual USB ibook G3 600 MHz 20GB HD
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
21,474
From:
The cornfields of Nebraska
Registered:
Feb 2, 2003
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Oct 2, 2007 10:43 AM
in response to: deaman
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Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
This does not sound like the same thing, since you are not getting the gray screen, but the screen remains completely dark, yes?
If FireWire Target Disk Mode works reliably (without freezing), it may not be the logic board.
If you turn on the iBook and shine a flashlight through the display from the back, can you see your desktop?
Does squeezing the case to the left of the trackpad while starting up make a difference?
eMac800/SuperDrive/512/OS 9.2.2; iBook800G3Combo/640-OS X 10.3.9;
Mac OS 9.2.x
iBook G4/1.2G/768/OS X 10.4.9, MacBook 2.0/2 GB/10.4.x
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Posts:
8
From:
montreal
Registered:
Oct 2, 2007
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Oct 3, 2007 7:38 AM
in response to: Ronda Wilson
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yes, the screen remains completely dark and i don't see anything ( black screen as if it is not turned on) when i turned on ibook. I tried to squeeze the case to the left of the trackpad, but it did not do any good.
do you think that it is due to multiple problems like inverter cable and reed switch plus and video card?
macbook pro 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
21,474
From:
The cornfields of Nebraska
Registered:
Feb 2, 2003
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Re: Grey Screen
Posted:
Oct 3, 2007 7:23 PM
in response to: deaman
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What about when you shine the flashlight through the back of it?
eMac800/SuperDrive/512/OS 9.2.2; iBook800G3Combo/640-OS X 10.3.9;
Mac OS 9.2.x
iBook G4/1.2G/768/OS X 10.4.9, MacBook 2.0/2 GB/10.4.x
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