lebungleski

Q: Apple Cinema Display 23" - Blank Screen, "short-long-short" LED code

Hello everyone.
This sounds like something of an epidemic... My Apple Cinema 23" HD Display (bought Dec. 2007) hasn't been turning on after a power outage hit our area last week.

The Computer and Display were OFF when the outage occurred. Everything was plugged into a surge suppressor. Everything ELSE plugged in to the suppressor is fine (including my Mac CPU)... but not the monitor.
It’s not dead-dead…. It’s a blank screen but there IS a morse-code flash on the LED (short-long-short). According to Apple Support’s LED Translation, it SHOULD be something to do with the power adaptor. The adaptor IS correct… a 90 watt… but just in case I bought ANOTHER 90w adaptor brick. I plugged the monitor to the new brick. THE RESULT WAS THE SAME.

I’ve tried power cycling, I’ve tried plugging it into different outlets, I’ve tried connecting to other computers. The same LED result remains.

And, yes, of course, I’ve got no Apple Support, and from what I read in similar posts, outside-the-warranty repairs could hit around $400. I REFUSE!

For now I have a Samsung monitor from Costco. It’s not bad, but it’s not the Apple monitor with its awesome color-fidelity.

I've read some other posts with the same problem (LED blink code and all) elsewhere but haven't got a solid answer.
I wonder… has anyone else incurring this same problem (with the same LED flashing deal) tried to use a 150-WATT adaptor brick? I would try this myself, but I’m currently financially unable (and personally unwilling) to throw more cash at this problem unless I know it’ll fix it.

Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jul 18, 2009 7:03 PM

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Q: Apple Cinema Display 23" - Blank Screen, "short-long-short" LED code

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  • by David Bear1,

    David Bear1 David Bear1 Jun 27, 2011 3:35 PM in response to carolyn_21617
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Jun 27, 2011 3:35 PM in response to carolyn_21617

    Here's my experience. I usually don't power down my MP at home and we have had some storms recently, which I'm not sure did anything since it was plugged into a UPS... but nevertheless it wouldn't come on this morning. I found this thread after tearing down the first one.. and tried the paper trick which did work. Not knowing if was the the inverter board, which I did think, I decided to get busy and tear down the other one in my studio (sweat and worry) and swapped out parts. On mine it was not the inverter board, but rather the logic board. I ordered a used one off of Ebay for about $50.00.

    I'll try and report back when I get the part... but i'm sure that was it since the board worked fine out of my other one.

     

    Now i just have to figure out where all these dang screws go...lol.

  • by jeroplex,

    jeroplex jeroplex Jun 27, 2011 3:42 PM in response to David Bear1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 27, 2011 3:42 PM in response to David Bear1

    where did you find a board on ebay? ive been looking and havent found one

  • by mitschmitsch,

    mitschmitsch mitschmitsch Jul 1, 2011 3:20 AM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jul 1, 2011 3:20 AM in response to lebungleski

    Hi,

    I found out, that it works best with cellophan (this plastic that covers new CDs). its very thin and won´t break. After doing the trick mentionend on page two, by using paper worked fine, but breaks after a while. With cellophan it is perfect. There´s a video on youtube, if you´re not shure, what pin has to be covered. All the best, Mitsch

  • by mitschmitsch,

    mitschmitsch mitschmitsch Jul 1, 2011 3:30 AM in response to thomaskymn
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jul 1, 2011 3:30 AM in response to thomaskymn

    Some people ask, if it is dangerous to cover the ground.

     

    No, this is not dangerous for you, because you do not cover the ground from the main source (220 Volt or 110 in US), you just cover the ground from the plug after the power converter, so thats much less and won´t harm you in worst case.

     

    Anyway, some electric effects could occure in worst case, but they would not be harmful for the user.

  • by vinvelasco,

    vinvelasco vinvelasco Jul 3, 2011 11:31 PM in response to jakobeon
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 3, 2011 11:31 PM in response to jakobeon

    JAKOBEON FOR PRESIDENT!!!

     

     

    23" has been sitting in a corner for about 2 years. saved some much needed $$ man!

     

    Thanks!

  • by Mathieu Romana,

    Mathieu Romana Mathieu Romana Jul 13, 2011 8:39 PM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jul 13, 2011 8:39 PM in response to lebungleski

    I have a pair of 23" cinema displays that have been working flawlessly for the last 3 years or more. One just failed for no apparent reason. No power surge or storm (I use a UPS), no moving of the workstation,...

    Found the Jakobeon solution! Works perfect again!!! For how long??? Hmmmm!

    Too bad Apple does not care....

    Definitely Jakobeon for president!!!! Thank you!!!!

  • by hip hop dan,

    hip hop dan hip hop dan Jul 18, 2011 7:31 AM in response to Mathieu Romana
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 18, 2011 7:31 AM in response to Mathieu Romana

    I know that there are dozens of people on here who have replied saying this trick works...although I didn't expect it to.

     

    Got it fired up and running on my second try with the paper trick. Amazing....

  • by MGraf,

    MGraf MGraf Jul 22, 2011 6:11 PM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 22, 2011 6:11 PM in response to lebungleski

    Just another me too to add to the list.  Had a power outage this week while out of town.  Computer and 23" ACD were connected to a APS backup UPS, and both were off, but UPS was On. 

     

    I used two thin strips of electrical tape applied to each side of the connector.  I am also debating whether to now buy the 150 w supply or just wait this fix out.

     

    Thanks Jacobson, and to I think Chris who posted the video and pics. 

     

    Mark

  • by Scubarm711,

    Scubarm711 Scubarm711 Aug 9, 2011 12:18 PM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 9, 2011 12:18 PM in response to lebungleski

    Jakobeon, we should give you the fee Apple asked for.  Tried your solution and it worked like a charm.  Thanks !!!!!

  • by hallison13,

    hallison13 hallison13 Aug 9, 2011 2:40 PM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 9, 2011 2:40 PM in response to lebungleski

    Thanks for the quick fix, Jakobeon! Couldn't find a 150W adapter anyway besides ebay, so this is a huge help. Apple are you paying attention to how much traffic this thread has received?

     

    Cheers.

  • by KeithValley,

    KeithValley KeithValley Aug 9, 2011 7:09 PM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 9, 2011 7:09 PM in response to lebungleski

    I have been afflicted by the same catastrophe...

     

    We did not have any power outage, and my Mac Pro and all other components have been always plugged into a surge protecter.  I am VERY DISSAPPOINTED WITH APPLE FOR THEIR FAILURE TO SUPPORT ALL OF US THAT ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS

     

    I just recieved a new 90W power brick and with no success.  After looking through several forums I finally came accross this bit of free advise that work with my old 90W power brick.  INSTANT RELEIF!!!! for me, see if it works for your issue.  And the info did not come from APPLE.

     

    (Just a note,,, this is refering to the 5 pin power socket that your monitor connect to your power brick)

     

     

    Hello,

    I had the "short long short" blinking led problem with my

    23" ACD after a power outage which left my screen blank and

    my cheek wet with a tear for my baby. I read somewhere that

    a guy was getting a 1 volt reading on the middle pin of his

    damaged 90 watt power block. I figured maybe the display might

    work if I could somehow block the middle pin. So I cut a small

    strip of paper wide enough to block just the middle pin and long

    enough to cover both sides and it looked like a "W". I gingerly

    pressed it into the brick receptacle with a toothpick leaving

    just a little slack so it would not tear when I pushed in the

    small white plug. It was a bit of a tight fit but guess what.

     

    IT WORKED! I am now enjoying my beloved monitor anew and saved

    $$$ on replacement brick or repair.

     

    If you want to try it and you feel you’ve nothing to lose, make

    sure you cover just middle pin (both sides) and you may have to try a couple of times. It worked for me. I hope you have good luck too.

  • by KeithValley,

    KeithValley KeithValley Aug 9, 2011 7:10 PM in response to KeithValley
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 9, 2011 7:10 PM in response to KeithValley

    I used electrical tape instead of paper

  • by michael.w,

    michael.w michael.w Aug 21, 2011 8:16 PM in response to jakobeon
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 21, 2011 8:16 PM in response to jakobeon

    Wow, this works like a charm! jakobeon you are awesome, this save us $$$ and time! Same story, have not powered down my 20" ACD for months and had to do that this morning to change my UPS and was shown the dreaded Short-Long-Short LED code.

     

    Mike

  • by tucr218,

    tucr218 tucr218 Sep 6, 2011 1:47 PM in response to michael.w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2011 1:47 PM in response to michael.w

    Add me to the list of solved monitor problem. What an incredibly simple solution to a potentially expensive problem! Thank you so much for the help!

  • by speciesx,

    speciesx speciesx Sep 13, 2011 9:37 AM in response to jakobeon
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 13, 2011 9:37 AM in response to jakobeon

    Yet another happy user of this FREE fix. Just like many others, power outage when having kitchen done up. Black screen, blinking monitor - but computer worked ok with other monitors - NEVER, EVER throw a working monitor away!!!!!!! Just taken machine to genius bar, what a wasted trip!!!! £373 for a replacement monitor, sell the unfixable one for spares the only suggestion. Very disgruntled when came home. Looked on the website to see how to complain and came up with this forum should have looked right at beginning but was sure it was a faulty power pack. However a few minutes fiddling with post it bookmark and it worked first time. Thank you Jakobean!!!! Apple should be ashamed that they still won't acknowledge this design fault.

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