gidnitacs

Q: Vertical line issue - How can we get Apple to address this?

Hi guys,

As can be seen in this forum (and a lot of other forums, as well), a lot of people are experiencing this problem on their 17" iMac G5 with iSight. Here are some pertinent details (which may be familiar to a lot of people but can be a primer for those who are just starting to experience the problem):

1. For most of us, these lines started appearing between 13-15 months after they purchased them. The lucky ones either had these failures occur during the first 12 months, or had APP.

2. The majority of these units can be traced to the Shanghai factory W8 (enter your S/N in this website to get the manufacturing information of your unit: http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html).

3. A similar issue occurred (or is occurring) with 17" PBs. From what I have read on the Apple PB forums, it seems that this has been a long standing issue and Apple has SUPPOSEDLY attempted to censor some of the posts discussing this. Note that these units can also be traced back to the same Shanghai factory.

4. The "iMac G5 Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues" which certain people have always been referring users to on posts discussing this type of problem obviously refers to a totally different issue (http://www.apple.com/support/imac/repairextensionprogram/) and is applicable only to first gen iMac G5s. I'm sure that everyone appreciates it but, at this point, it is quite clear that it is not the solution to our problem.

5. Based on the number of posts discussing this very same problem in the Apple forums, it is pretty obvious that these are not isolated issues. There are too many similarities (time of failure, how the numbers of line increase over time, manufacturing source, etc.)

6. Some people have suggested that unstable power sources may be the primary cause of the problem. However, based on the locations of the people with these problems who have posted in this forum, it seems unlikely. From what I can see, the problem happens whether you are from a highly industrialized country (where a stable power source can be expected) or a developing country (where power sources MAY be more unstable).

7. Apple has typically responded (to anyone who has taken the time to write or have their iMacs inspected) that this is not a known manufacturing defect issue. As such, the cost to repair this problem, which can go up to USD 500, will have to be borne by the owner.

8. Based on posts of some people who have had their units repaired, it is the LCD that has to be replaced. This is also supported by posts from people who have resorted to purchase a separate display as a workaround.

Now, the question is, *how do we get Apple to address this issue*? Do we all start writing Steve Jobs about it? Do we go to the press? Should we put up a website and Digg it to death? A spoof video on YouTube? MySpace? Or will we just suffer in silence? Suggestions anyone?

P.S. Suggestions that involve any sort of violence or industrial sabotage are not acceptable, please.

Note that Ale_Tog has put up a Flickr page where we can post photos of our poor iMacs. Just send the photo to ale_tog@hotmail.com with the subject "Dead pixels on iMac". No text, just the photo attachment. (+Ale_Tog, if you read this, I hope you don't mind me posting this here. Also, I suggest that we at least put the first 5 chars of the serial number, the factory information which can be retrieved on the link in #2 above, and which country the unit is based.+). I highly recommend that everyone send a photo to show that these are not isolated issues.

To get an idea on how many people are experiencing this problem, here are a list of posts in these forums, as well as others, discussing this issue (feel free to add to this):
http://i7.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/b2/75/2e8d_1.JPG
http://i16.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/b2/75/2ee5_1.JPG
http://i12.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/b2/75/2faf_1.JPG
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=974094
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5146382&tstart=0
http://www.macusersg.org/forums/index.php?topic=40998.0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=607522&tstart=180
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=463075&tstart=270
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=197560&tstart=360 (this is about dead pixels, but one person reported a whole line)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=292889&tstart=390
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=293895&tstart=390
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=279138&tstart=420
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=197630&tstart=465
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=197745&tstart=510
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=197741&tstart=510
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=197641&tstart=585
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4227335&#4227335
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=976574&#976574
http://discussions.apple.com/messageview.jspa?messageID=4369582&stqc=true
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=778470&tstart=0

Please start sending your suggestions. The more the many-ier!

17" iMac G5 1.9ghz with iSight, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Sep 23, 2007 5:56 AM

Close

Q: Vertical line issue - How can we get Apple to address this?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

first Previous Page 28 of 30 last Next
  • by Rambling Joe,

    Rambling Joe Rambling Joe Nov 15, 2012 11:26 AM in response to Knold
    Level 2 (280 points)
    Nov 15, 2012 11:26 AM in response to Knold

    Can you still buy the AppleCare for your Mac Mini?  If so, buy, and then take the Mac Mini into get repaired.

     

    Good luck.

  • by jenhpd,

    jenhpd jenhpd Nov 17, 2012 11:28 AM in response to dhoffman1985
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 17, 2012 11:28 AM in response to dhoffman1985

    My serial number starts with QP.  It is an intel mac from february of 2006 with unknown location of origin. 

     

    I have about 36 vertical lines of different colors.  There is a 2-5/8" vertical strip about 1/3 of the way across the screen.  For awhile it would flicker.  Now it is 2-1/4" black with the part to the right of the black line as an unusable image of the left margin of the screen.

  • by jenhpd,

    jenhpd jenhpd Nov 17, 2012 11:57 AM in response to logfarmer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 17, 2012 11:57 AM in response to logfarmer

    mine is a qp serial number

  • by Lisa9982,

    Lisa9982 Lisa9982 Nov 22, 2012 2:41 AM in response to jenhpd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 22, 2012 2:41 AM in response to jenhpd

    Has anyone had any luck with this more recently?

     

    I am in the UK and have an early 2006 imac - i think the serial number starts W8 but am not home to check currently. The imac doesn't get used much - up till around a year ago, it had only been switched on around 20 times (i used the laptop mainly til them). I have been using the PC more recently and though old and considered vintage, it runs great and i have no issues with it at all except for the lines that have started to appear on the screen - i have eight now in total. Annoying because if i'd used the mac more, i'd likely developed this problem before now as it seems that mu serial number puts me in the batch with the faulty monitors!

     

    I don't know whether taking it to the genius bar would help or would they tell me that because it's so old and the extended warranty on the E80 issue has expired, that i will need to suck it up and buy a new machine.

  • by Catherine T.,

    Catherine T. Catherine T. Dec 4, 2012 7:33 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2012 7:33 AM in response to gidnitacs

    December 4, 2012

     

    I'm a photographer and photography editor and have been trying to fix this same experience of 16 green vertical lines running  across my 17" I mac serial number beginning YM83.   I'd like to believe Apple Care Support will honor their product and acknowlege this defect, but right now they are responding as if they've never heard of this problem.  I am a longtime Apple supporter and am disappointed that they are unable to respond responsibly.

     

    Catherine T.

  • by Catherine T.,

    Catherine T. Catherine T. Dec 4, 2012 7:52 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2012 7:52 AM in response to gidnitacs

    December 4, 2012

     

    Fascintating...just spent the morning talking with Apple Care and they are sticking to their assigned script "Right now there is nothing we can do....you can right to Apple.com/feedback and see about having this

    program re-opened".   Spoke with "Hasani, Tracey, Stephen" and although they always ask for all my information, phone, email, etc etc...you can never get a last name from anyone these days.  No one wants to be responsible for their word eh?

    dec_4_12 Imac.jpg

  • by Ken Kline,

    Ken Kline Ken Kline Dec 4, 2012 4:04 PM in response to Catherine T.
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 4, 2012 4:04 PM in response to Catherine T.

    Catherine, I bought my iMac G5, 17" a few months ago from a Kijiji listing with the full knowledge that there were 2 vertical lines on the screen (the serial number was also from that factory in China where all the defective screens came from, also the cd/dvd burner was not functional) but I took a chance only gave the seller $25.00 Can. for the computer + aluminum Key. Now there are 14 very thin lines + some light patches on the screen, still usable in most situations. However, I now have a newer Intel iMac (I never buy them new!!) but am keeping this defective G5 as my backup computer. I have another 17" lcd monitor which I got at a lawn sale for $10.00 in excellent shape, so I bought a Mini VGA to VGA adapter which I can plug into the VGA output of the G5 then connect to the 17" lcd monitor which gives me a line-free monitor. There is even a way of disconnecting the defective screen so I just have to look at the separate lcd monitor. Because of their age, no one cares about these computers anymore especially at Apple (there might not even be enough screens to replace all the defective ones) so my workabout of the situation with an external monitor is, for me, the cheapest way of keeping the computer functional. Ken

  • by tingkwenta,

    tingkwenta tingkwenta Dec 4, 2012 7:26 PM in response to Catherine T.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2012 7:26 PM in response to Catherine T.

    Catherine, just like you I'm very disappointed with Apple... I took my iMac to the apple store not too long ago and told the genius... The reason why I bought an apple computer is for the quality and good customer service and the name apple is known for the quality and customer service.... The genius responded saying Oh... don't forget that these products are still made in China....I was very ******.... Anyways... Good luck!

  • by Edward Boghosian,

    Edward Boghosian Edward Boghosian Dec 5, 2012 5:12 AM in response to Lisa9982
    Level 4 (1,395 points)
    Dec 5, 2012 5:12 AM in response to Lisa9982

    You have a computer that is about 6 years old, only used about 20 times during this period and you want Apple to make amends for a problem that you discovered during 2012? 

    Apple, most likely, does not have parts for it.  I wonder how many electronic manufacturers would honor your request.  But, no harm in trying.  

  • by Edward Boghosian,

    Edward Boghosian Edward Boghosian Dec 5, 2012 5:15 AM in response to jenhpd
    Level 4 (1,395 points)
    Dec 5, 2012 5:15 AM in response to jenhpd

    Unknown location of origin?  Since when did Apple produce a computer with an unknow location of origin?

    I assume the serial number is still part of the machine.

  • by Ken Kline,

    Ken Kline Ken Kline Dec 5, 2012 5:42 AM in response to Edward Boghosian
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 5, 2012 5:42 AM in response to Edward Boghosian

    Here is the webpage: "http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html" if you want to know what week, month, year, country, factory your Mac came from. Just enter the serial number, click on the search, then a page comes up with the info. With the vertical line issue, these iMacs seem to have come from a particular factory in China, all from the same location. Ascribing any virtuous behavior to Apple is naive at best. If this problem is happening to so many people, especially from this factory, then Apple is complicit in an unseemly cover-up, the point is mute, however, because I am certain, there aren't the screens, in Apple's stock, to repair these machines, only available from private parts suppliers.

  • by Christian Nørgaard,

    Christian Nørgaard Christian Nørgaard Dec 5, 2012 10:25 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (53 points)
    iWork
    Dec 5, 2012 10:25 AM in response to gidnitacs

    Ok Guys,

     

    Some of you might like this and some might not:

     

    - I was also riddled with 30+ lines on right side of 2006 17" imac intel of W8 factory origin.

    - Said Imac is now "VINTAGE" which for a 6yr old computer is about right, considering the average life of a PC is probably less than 3yrs... my ex-GF's notebook lasted 18 months, but I'm disgressing from the subject. Vintage for Apple means: "Sorry, we don't stock spare parts for this computer anymore (since 06/2011), so it's going to be very difficult to repair it..."

    - Figured I'd get in touch with Applecare and see what they had to say: mentionned the known defect, the EM80 program (expired), this forum thread: AC rep was very comprehensive, didn't deny anything and after a bit of chatting, calling upstairs, etc said the best he could do was send me a coupon worth up to 100 eur (tax excl). I wasn't totally satisfied with that; so the rep, again very understanding, said his hands were tied to the system and that on the applecare side of things, we had reached the best he could do. BUT, ... if I was to make a new aquisition, the sales dept might also be able to do something!!

    - Next day: called applestore: very swiftly, the rep understood my request, sent it upstairs... Minutes later, calls me back, after calling his colleagues from customer relations, and before he even tells me, a second coupon appears in my mailbox.

     

    Total: 200 eur in coupons + tax (242 eur). About the price of a replacement lcd panel on ebay

     

    The secret? Polite, joking, the reps are human beings so if you treat them as such (or better), they'll probably be nice to you too ;-)

  • by Ken Kline,

    Ken Kline Ken Kline Dec 5, 2012 10:43 AM in response to Christian Nørgaard
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 5, 2012 10:43 AM in response to Christian Nørgaard

    For me, it's like putting your money in the garbage to even think about getting a replacement lcd panel off Ebay, who can trust them. Take the coupons look at an Apple refurb computer from the Apple website, they are better than new.

  • by Christian Nørgaard,

    Christian Nørgaard Christian Nørgaard Dec 5, 2012 11:16 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (53 points)
    iWork
    Dec 5, 2012 11:16 AM in response to gidnitacs

    That's not really my point but I see what you mean ;-) A refurb is indeed a better option but more pricey ;-)

     

    But 200 eur excl tax of coupons for a couple of phone calls: not bad shopping. And should incite others to give it a try.

     

    I can't complain about apple customer care!!

  • by Ken Kline,

    Ken Kline Ken Kline Dec 5, 2012 11:39 AM in response to Christian Nørgaard
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 5, 2012 11:39 AM in response to Christian Nørgaard

    Please forgive me, I thought you were seriously thinking about buying a replacement screen off Ebay. Great shopping, except for the fact that everything Apple is insanely high in price. See if you can get a good used iMac either G5 or Intel Core Duo of that vintage, not from that Chinese factory!!, (I am in Ontario, Canada) for about $200.-$300. Can., then use your coupons for software, accessories. I only purchase used iMacs, for the cost, they serve my requirements perfectly.

first Previous Page 28 of 30 last Next