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 Drew Reece (Re:co),

    Drew Reece (Re:co) Drew Reece (Re:co) Jan 9, 2013 9:21 AM in response to Jast_DK
    Level 2 (310 points)
    Jan 9, 2013 9:21 AM in response to Jast_DK

    The Apple manuals & docs on apple.com just tells you to seek out a service engineer.

     

    The relevant post is…

    http://pixelchimp.net/blog/pixel-chimp/apple-23-cinema-display-possible-fix-shor t-long-short-error

     

    Use the contact form if you need anything clarifying.

  • by hexdiy,

    hexdiy hexdiy Jan 9, 2013 6:28 PM in response to Drew Reece (Re:co)
    Level 1 (60 points)
    Jan 9, 2013 6:28 PM in response to Drew Reece (Re:co)

    After some pondering upon the issue, I now completely concur with Drew Reece on this. Even if you are successfully using the right power supply ( say, a 65W model for the 21" ACD A1181) whilst using the Jacobeon trick- or cutting the sense line for that matter- you still might have a small fire hazard on your hands.

    Let me explain/ rephrase the explanation: in the possible event that the normal sense line circuit is indeed preventing ageing CCFLs ( or faulty/dying regulators on the mainboard for that matter) to overload originally correctly specified power supplies, the Jacobeon trick will indeed allow those PSUs to effectively be overloaded. Meaning they will run a temperature = fire hazard.

    The solution is indeed threefold:

    1. Replace the dubious regulator on the main board. As explained before in this thread.

    2. Remain to use the Jacobeon trick, or -better still, cut the sense line. As explained before in this thread.

    3. In stead of the Apple adaptor - even if it was correctly specced for your ACD model out-of-the-box- use a hugely overspecced third party PSU. Say a 250W model for the 30", a 200W model for the 23" and a 150W model for the 20" ( for this, you may still use the original 150W model originally intended for the 30").

    This will compensate for any possible higher current drawn by ageing CCFLs, and prevent the probably originally underspecced regulator from blowing anyhow.

    I hope this fairly summarises the case.

    Keep m running, boys and girls!

  • by javier_drd,

    javier_drd javier_drd Apr 26, 2013 6:16 PM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 26, 2013 6:16 PM in response to lebungleski

    About one year ago I had this issue with my ACD23. Black screen with blinking morse code. I found this thread and did the paper trick with the middle pin. It worked. But yesterday, the screen was black again, this time without blinking led. The monitor's led in the lower right of the frame doesn't turn on.

     

    I'm not sure what to do now. Buying a new brick (from apple or the cheap replacement pointed above) would work in this case? Should I test something in the brick or inside the monitor first?

     

    I wanted to add my case here, and see if someone experienced the same and found a solution.

  • by straffin,

    straffin straffin May 10, 2013 11:27 AM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 10, 2013 11:27 AM in response to lebungleski

    Found a solution...

     

    Same problem. Apple cinema display, 90 watt power brick, blinking "short long short".

    Tested several other 90w bricks, same results.

     

    Watch the solution here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vodDfic8omA

     

    BUT, just use electrical tape to cover the center pins on the eliptical plug that goes into the power brick.

     

    (just tested it again to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Works fine.)

     

    This solved the problem for me, hopefully this will save you a LOT of money.

     

    Good luck!

  • by Drew Reece (Re:co),

    Drew Reece (Re:co) Drew Reece (Re:co) May 10, 2013 11:40 AM in response to straffin
    Level 2 (310 points)
    May 10, 2013 11:40 AM in response to straffin

    Straffin,

    That is the exacty same 'hack' that he said doesnt work anymore, see the page I posted above if you want to see a possible way to fix it. Me and others have gone into why its a bad idea to block the pins…

  • by hexdiy,

    hexdiy hexdiy May 10, 2013 5:48 PM in response to Drew Reece (Re:co)
    Level 1 (60 points)
    May 10, 2013 5:48 PM in response to Drew Reece (Re:co)

    +1, Drew! No more comments, everything A 1181 has been written about extensively.! Let people read extensively instead of just superficially.

    Gettting old maybe? Gawd ( I'm not from Texas, but this does not sound so religious:-)), I sound like the grandfather whom I've never had...

    My regards, Drew!

    And BTW: this has all been for good sport as wel as principle; I believe the time has now come to look for newer horizons...

    My own A 1181 is still dead, but I need to turn a page.  

  • by Korsriddaren,

    Korsriddaren Korsriddaren Jun 7, 2013 8:25 AM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Jun 7, 2013 8:25 AM in response to lebungleski

    This problem occured an hour ago, and I saw myself trying to find a new monitor. Thanks to you guys I have now solved the very same problem, but I used the kind of self adhering book plastic, that I cut into a smal stripe (around 2 mm wide) and pried down the connector with a toothpick. I never believed something could be that easy. Thanks a million again for this savvy trick!

  • by Carey Marks,

    Carey Marks Carey Marks Jun 17, 2013 3:00 AM in response to Korsriddaren
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 17, 2013 3:00 AM in response to Korsriddaren
  • by F14melove3,

    F14melove3 F14melove3 Jun 26, 2013 11:22 PM in response to lebungleski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 26, 2013 11:22 PM in response to lebungleski

    After using successfullly using the tips in this thread a few times my ACD finally crapped out.  This time around instead of buying a new shiny 27 inch thunderbolt display ($999), I decided to try another brand for the monitor.  Don't worry Apple.....you've already sucked me in for 2 laptops, 1 Ipad, 3 itouches and 4 iphones.....it almost makes me sick and I'm accounting for the amount of money I've spent over the last few years for our family.

     

    This time around I'm going with a Dell monitor.  For almost half the price, I've got a solid monitor that meets my needs.  Yes, I miss the sleek look for an Apple display, but I just didn't want to risk the headaches again!

     

    Dell UltraSharp 27 Inch

  • by James Kayten,

    James Kayten James Kayten Jun 27, 2013 12:32 PM in response to F14melove3
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 27, 2013 12:32 PM in response to F14melove3

    I'm disillusioned with Apple as well.  I always paid the premium price because I expected quality and durability.  However If the products don't break they're still made semi-obsolete in a few years because they aren't included in the software upgrades.  Not only is this a back-door gouging of the customer, it also contribute to a massive amount of tech waste.   The only thing green about apple it seems is their bank accounts.

  • by shoggoth,

    shoggoth shoggoth Aug 21, 2013 9:06 AM in response to jakobeon
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 21, 2013 9:06 AM in response to jakobeon

    jakobeon, you are awesome. Worked like a charm for me, thanks so much.

  • by creativejedi,

    creativejedi creativejedi Oct 17, 2013 6:42 PM in response to jakobeon
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Oct 17, 2013 6:42 PM in response to jakobeon

    3 years after you have posted this, you are my new best friend. The piece of paper trick sounded a little hard to pull off, but I made it on the first try, and my monitor is working perfectly! Too cool! Thank you so much for this little tidbit.

  • by ericfromut,

    ericfromut ericfromut Oct 21, 2013 7:20 AM in response to creativejedi
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 21, 2013 7:20 AM in response to creativejedi

    Pathetic on Apple to have to have consumers revert to a "trick" such as this, but thanks to this thread for getting my Cinema display at work back up and working after months of acting like a prett, but useless paperweight on my desk. Cheers to creative consumers!

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Oct 21, 2013 7:45 AM in response to ericfromut
    Level 5 (7,527 points)
    Notebooks
    Oct 21, 2013 7:45 AM in response to ericfromut

    Apple don't endorse this 'hack'. If you were to speak to an Apple genius at a store I doubt that they would recommend this course of action. They will repair it if you still have Applecare cover for it (or you can pay).

     

    I and others have written many lines in this thread on why this is probably a bad idea, go back & read them if you care, otherwise be aware that you have just circumvented a safety feature & added potential for the remaining pins to short out or be overloaded (the strip of plastic or paper rarely stays where you want it).

     

    Assuming you are seeing the 'short-long-short' error code the fix may be as simple as testing & replacing a $4 component. Or you can just cut a wire if you insist on using this 'hack'.

     

    Good luck, treat it like your grannies 1940's toaster - it works OK but may burst into flames when your back is turned.

  • by creativejedi,

    creativejedi creativejedi Oct 21, 2013 8:13 AM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Oct 21, 2013 8:13 AM in response to Drew Reece

    Replacing a $4 component? Really? Why was I quoted $475 by the "genius" at my Apple Store? Of course Apple would not recommend this "hack". When a customer does this, Apple loses out on $475 for replacing a $4 part. My Cinema Display is over 6 years old. If I can get a few more months out of it, then that's more than Apple could promise. I have seen no evidence to suggest it will "burst into flames". I do believe, however, that changing to a power supply with over 50% more juice is certainly a bad idea. I still love Apple, by the way, and will continue to buy their products faithfully (except maybe a new monitor).

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