gidnitacs
Level 1 (0 points)

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

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gidnitacs

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

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  • by Sander_Kaa,

    Sander_Kaa Sander_Kaa Apr 3, 2008 7:15 AM in response to tintinlad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 3, 2008 7:15 AM in response to tintinlad
    I think that's the correct way: When you have a problem with a faulty product you should go the shop who sold you the product, not to the company who made it. Of cource if the seller is the on-line Apple Store you should go to them (as in my case).

    The seller of the product is responsible for selling you a good product (at least in the Netherlands). If, and how, they are able to resolve your problem with their supplier is not the customer's business..

  • by tintinlad,

    tintinlad tintinlad Apr 3, 2008 8:46 PM in response to Sander_Kaa
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Apr 3, 2008 8:46 PM in response to Sander_Kaa
    "If, and how, they are able to resolve your problem with their supplier is not the customer's business.."

    Yes, but when the store refuses to acknowledge your claim, you are left on the cold! (unless you bring them to court).

  • by gidnitacs,

    gidnitacs gidnitacs Apr 7, 2008 5:05 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 7, 2008 5:05 AM in response to gidnitacs
    man, they removed the link to macnn! and i thought they didn't visit this forum. they're really covering something up.

  • by Howard Huxter1,

    Howard Huxter1 Howard Huxter1 Apr 7, 2008 7:46 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Apr 7, 2008 7:46 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Well, what a coincidence - my iMac G5 just produced a pink vertical line right down the middle so I thought to check out Apple Discussions and here we are.

    I am glad to know the issue right away at least. The iMac is about 3 years old. I have been leaving it on recently to download torrents so the 'heating' issue may be due to this.

    What to do? On a previous occasion I pointed out to Apple China that my 1 year old Titanium with peeling paint didn't look good to the 15,000 students here at this brand new rich-kids university that not only like fancy new technology but have the money to buy it. They fixed it.

    It's the same issue. It's expensive for us and for Apple but at the end of the day does Apple want to have all these Macs lying around with lines all over their screens. Some colleges here within the campus have a lot if iMacs.

    I see this as a failing of Apple to really understand the Chinese culture. Everything I buy here breaks, sooner rather than later. They do not have the technology to make high quality products and their cultural bent is impatience,
    clumsiness, and a fast buck. As for the customer - forget it.

  • by the_one,

    the_one the_one Apr 15, 2008 2:55 AM in response to Howard Huxter1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 15, 2008 2:55 AM in response to Howard Huxter1
    I am adding my disgust to the list after determining that the LCD in my iMac G5 (China sourced LCD confirmed) is defective, and learning from this forum that Apple is not willing to acknowledge this.

    Like many Apple fans, I believe that Apple is getting the success it deserves with products that include the iMacs. Unfortunately, like many other companies, success has led to arrogance and the situation that we now face with machines that we love being held ransom.

    We the disappointed should remember that we are being treated poorly and that we deserve to be treated better by a company that we supported. Its not just spending more of our money to subsisidize Apple's poor product reliability. It's about Apple not fulfiling a promise that was made to us. Its about being let down, disappointed.

    Fans should not be treated this way because that's what compels them to return to being simply consumers.

  • by Carlos A. Augusto,

    Carlos A. Augusto Carlos A. Augusto Apr 15, 2008 6:48 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Apr 15, 2008 6:48 PM in response to gidnitacs
    I Think I'm the new member of the club, And not going to pay $500 + S/H to fix it.
    My workaroud is to buy an video adaptor for $19 and get an nice HD new TV to put in front of my old G5, it's also usefull if you have to do video editing like me.

    By the way, just wondering, since seems that all lines always started on the right side of the screen, may be it has something to be with the use of the DVD Burning process, did you notice how this increse the heat during this process???

    The time of the starting lines may be directly related of how much each one of us burn DVD's, I work with videos, so it happens a lot.

    PS. one niquel for who guess my machine SN.........W85436.......

  • by Sander_Kaa,

    Sander_Kaa Sander_Kaa Apr 19, 2008 1:01 AM in response to Carlos A. Augusto
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 19, 2008 1:01 AM in response to Carlos A. Augusto
    Carlos,

    I've seen many pictures of broken iMac screens with vertical lines. They're everywhere. Me, for example, never burned a dvd/cd and still have two lines. One left, one right.

    However, today I receive my iMac back from reparation. With a new screen, fully paid by Apple! So don't sit back and write an official complaint (and ask for free repair) to the store where you bought the computer.

    Regards,
    Sander

  • by danosd,

    danosd danosd Apr 28, 2008 7:41 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 28, 2008 7:41 PM in response to gidnitacs
    I am having the same issue with my iMac G5 isight (1.9 Ghz). I bought it in December '05. It was made at the W8 factory in China.

    Five days ago the computer had a vertical line when it was turned on. It has all the characteristics you have mentioned here. Today I found yet another line.

    Common apple, this many identical malfunctions can't be a coincidence. It is your responsibility to assume this mistake, and replace all faulty LCD's.

  • by Steven Dockery,

    Steven Dockery Steven Dockery May 5, 2008 6:44 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (35 points)
    May 5, 2008 6:44 PM in response to gidnitacs
    As of this evening, I have the same problem. I was just sitting here watching a TV show in iTunes on my 17" iMac, manufactured in Sept. 2006 in Shanghai, W8, and a vertical line formed right before my eyes, about 4" from the left side. I've restarted the machine a few times and the line stays.
    I looked this up online and was relieved to see I wasn't the only one, but also horrified that I may have to pay more than half the cost of a new machine to have it fixed.

    I'll probably take it to the Apple Store and point out how numerous these problems are, and see if they'll fix it for free. I don't have Applecare, and I'm kicking myself now for not buying it.

  • by Leftside,

    Leftside Leftside May 26, 2008 10:25 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 26, 2008 10:25 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Agreed, I'd expect more of Apple in this situation. Machines of a similar run failing at similar point in their lives. Apple care is for peace of mind - not protection from poor hardware destined to fail early.

  • by cvv0217,

    cvv0217 cvv0217 May 27, 2008 3:28 PM in response to Steven Dockery
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2008 3:28 PM in response to Steven Dockery
    i have the same problem. to date, i have more than 30 lines on my screen.
    Serial number: W85**STAQ
    Name: iMac G5 (Third model)
    Model: MA063 iMac G5 (iSight) 1.9GHz
    Bus speed: 633MHz
    Screen size: 17 inch
    Factory: W8 (Shanghai China)

    i inquired at my local apple store (greenbelt, manila philippines) and was informed that it would cost me close to $650 to have my lcd replaced

    i really hope apple will take action on this problem!

  • by jacqp,

    jacqp jacqp May 28, 2008 11:13 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 28, 2008 11:13 PM in response to gidnitacs
    same problem over here.
    imac made at W8 shanghai 3 vertical lines, conclusion broken lcd screen.
    i will visit the mac store this week,

  • by patriciajd,

    patriciajd patriciajd May 31, 2008 6:29 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 31, 2008 6:29 AM in response to gidnitacs
    HI,

    As of a couple days ago, I have vertical barcode like stripes of translucent cyan and more recently a few red bars here and there on the monitor of my G5 1.9 MH i-sight imac - which was made in Shanghai in Nov of 2005. S/N 8545.....

    Is this related to the problems you are discussing?

    I learned via another forum that I would have to replace my whole logic board - It is hard to be happy about a MAJOR repair on a machine less than three years old. It falls outside the original recall, but ...

    regards,
    Pat

  • by Sander_Kaa,

    Sander_Kaa Sander_Kaa Jun 3, 2008 3:45 AM in response to jacqp
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 3, 2008 3:45 AM in response to jacqp
    Hey Jacpq, I'm very interested in the outcome of your discussion with the apple store. Please don't let them get away with some stupid 'you should have bought AppleCare' standard answers. Especially in the Netherlands consumers-law is very strict (in your favor ).

  • by gidnitacs,

    gidnitacs gidnitacs Jun 3, 2008 5:49 AM in response to patriciajd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 3, 2008 5:49 AM in response to patriciajd
    hey pat, yup, that's the problem being discussed in this thread. based on the experiences of people who have posted here and other similar threads, it's actually the lcd that has to be replaced, not the logic board.
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