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

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

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  • by codlinmoth,

    codlinmoth codlinmoth Nov 18, 2008 1:57 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 18, 2008 1:57 PM in response to gidnitacs
    I'm adding my voice to the chorus of complainants on the issue of faulty G5 iMac displays - 17"
    Purchased in Oz late 2005 , this unit fits the pattern of vertical white bars ( corinthian columns!)
    starting to appear around a year later. Two 30mm wide white bars - one just left of centre
    the other 35 mm in from RHS. Many - 40 or 50 pixel wide coloured lines clustered on the RHS.
    Can arouse little compassion from owners of bigger or later iMacs who know nothing of this.
    Spreadsheets and text are hopeless. Futile looking to Apple - around $1000 to replace.Cheaper to pick up S/hand iMac!
    Solution - Glue $250 new monitor onto the dud - which i paid $2300 for.
  • by gidnitacs,

    gidnitacs gidnitacs Nov 19, 2008 8:04 AM in response to Javier Tozzola
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 19, 2008 8:04 AM in response to Javier Tozzola
    hi javier, have you had any luck on this? if apple repaired your imac, please let us know so that we can do the same thing.
  • by clugrad1988,

    clugrad1988 clugrad1988 Nov 23, 2008 3:47 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 23, 2008 3:47 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Mine is an IMac G5 Isight, with serial number W8548......., and I saw mine was also manufactured in China. I have tons of vertical lines, and mine seemed to happen overnite. Everytime I power up, I get more.
  • by ratkinso,

    ratkinso ratkinso Dec 8, 2008 3:15 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2008 3:15 PM in response to gidnitacs
    I had a vertical line show up on my Imac last night.

    It started as a small flicker at the top of the screen.

    Within a few minutes it had gone solid from top

    to bottom. Like many others here I am a long time

    mac user and supporter. It's pretty disappointing

    to hear the reaction people have been getting from

    Apple.
  • by tintinlad,

    tintinlad tintinlad Dec 8, 2008 10:49 PM in response to ratkinso
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Dec 8, 2008 10:49 PM in response to ratkinso
    Here in France I think they are covering up to 3 years after the purchase date if this problem manifest: mine was finally succesfully repaired by Apple.
    It seems to be an not-official policy but I know from others on the web that I am not alone in having been satisfied this way. I first had (a year ago) a refusal and in sept I called again (was very gentle, submissive, lost, "what can I do", "please") and it worked... (previously I had ended shouting my anger to the service person!). I do not know the policies outside of France: what I know from the past is that in Canada they udes to be very comprehensive compared with the general attitude towards clients in France. In any case try and good luck!
  • by Emiliano Bolgeri,

    Emiliano Bolgeri Emiliano Bolgeri Dec 9, 2008 4:23 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2008 4:23 PM in response to gidnitacs
    the same problem.
    buy in sept 2005, now i have a vertical blue line....
  • by stodgy,

    stodgy stodgy Dec 10, 2008 12:44 AM in response to Emiliano Bolgeri
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 10, 2008 12:44 AM in response to Emiliano Bolgeri
    Yep, same problem here.

    What annoys me the most is Apple's arrogance with the whole "It's not a known problem" thing - it happens with so many products now. I had the same with my Intel based iMac and it's rubbish screen.

    I have been a Mac devotee since 1987. I just replaced my Apple book for a Sony Vaio PC...I suspect I won't be the last.

    COME ON APPLE GET YOURSELVES TOGETHER!!! REMEMBER YOU'RE NOT JUDGED ON THE PROBLEMS, JUST HOW YOU SOLVE THEM.

    READ YOUR OWN FORUMS!!!!!! AND ACT.
  • by NurseMSN,

    NurseMSN NurseMSN Dec 18, 2008 5:44 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 18, 2008 5:44 AM in response to gidnitacs
    A frustrated person here with blue and yellow vertical lines running down screen. After two new logic boards and one new display in less than a month, I've about had it. Unlike many of you however, my problems started after the 2nd logic board replacement, which was at the very end of my Apple Care Warranty.

    Tomorrow I will be taking it in to my friendly--and crowded--Apple store and this time, demand a replacement of the computer. I did place my feedback at the recommended site. This problem is too widespread and common for Apple to ignore any longer.

    A frustrated Apple user of 20 years...
  • by captfantastic,

    captfantastic captfantastic Dec 28, 2008 6:13 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 28, 2008 6:13 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Got a hair thin line on the display about three weeks ago. Today I got another one on the right side... So far this is not too bad but many more lines will start to bug me.
  • by T Dot,

    T Dot T Dot Jan 7, 2009 12:32 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 7, 2009 12:32 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Yes you can add me to the list of the vertical line club
  • by EmeralDQueen,

    EmeralDQueen EmeralDQueen Jan 7, 2009 8:58 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 7, 2009 8:58 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Please guys add me to the club of the white stripe problem, I am right now at an Apple Store in Florida waiting in line and I am sure they will tell me I have to pay for Apples fault...OMG I use to love my iMac and now I just have a big problem and no money to fix it....I hope this guys will come up with something otherwise my iMac is dead and forever....
  • by bihenry,

    bihenry bihenry Jan 13, 2009 7:01 PM in response to EmeralDQueen
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2009 7:01 PM in response to EmeralDQueen
    My imac monitor is almost totally covered in coloured vertical lines.
    The problem appeared after warranty expired, first one or two vertical lines that have since proliferated.
    My 17" imac intel core duo machine was purchased early in 2006 with serial number W860....U2N .

    I have been using apple/macs for personal computing since my first Apple II in 1979.


    I discussed the vertical lines issue with my local Apple dealer. In particular I wanted to know that should I ever purchase another Apple/Mac computer (or Itouch or Iphone?) I would want an iron clad guarantee that if the same type of vertical line problem appeared then the product would be replaced.
    The dealer said he had never heard of any vertical lines problem before and he would not provide any guarantee beyond what I purchase through extended warranty.

    Clearly the vertical line problem is evidence of a faulty product. The product was faulty at the time it was sold. The fault took some time to manifest itself to the extent that I could detect it. It is possible that Apple did not know that the product was faulty at the time of sale. But if Apple still does not know the origin of the problem then they are now selling products that they now KNOW could have a problem that will manifest after a year or two.

    The following post from Hardware Zone Forums may be unrelated:

    "blue vertical line on iphone
    Hi everyone,
    This morning woke up, realised a blue vertical line on the screen itself.
    dun seem to be dead pixels.
    anyone encountered such probs?"

    If Apple reads my post then they can know that their lack of response to the vertical lines problem has lost them a customer who has been loyal to them for thirty years.
  • by Progressive Pictures,

    Progressive Pictures Progressive Pictures Jan 15, 2009 8:54 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 15, 2009 8:54 PM in response to gidnitacs
    I, too, have a purple vertical line on my 2.0GHZ iMac G5, early 2006 model (the last one before the iSight). I am now terrified that I'm going to lose my baby! This sounds like iMac Cancer!

    I am officially calling for us to start a petition to apple regarding this issue. I am in Sydney, Australia, and I don't know if we should go country-by-country or just do it internationally. Also, does anyone know how to start one of those online petitions?

    We have to organise this and make it as legitimate as possible, and possibly generate some media. Not primetime news but some coverage would be good.

    This is unacceptable behaviour from Apple. We are all clearly loyal Apple customers and we got Apple through years of bad fiscal results before the iPod made them untouchable, arrogant ******. I also simply can't afford another machine any time soon. I treat my iMac like my firstborn child and I should not be held responsible for this problem.

    LETS GET THIS PETITION HAPPENING!
  • by tintinlad,

    tintinlad tintinlad Jan 16, 2009 12:57 AM in response to Progressive Pictures
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Jan 16, 2009 12:57 AM in response to Progressive Pictures
    Hi, just want to inform again that Apple in France is adressing the problem positively: my machine (2006) was repaired succesfully last fall, I was out of the 1 year waranty and without applecare. It seems that other people got also satisfaction at the same door; so maybe this an unofficial policy of Apple france or Apple Europe I dont know but in yoour case I would point this out to the Apple Australia customer service and if nothing seems to convince I would not hesitate to write to Apple Cupertino USA with the facts I just mentioned (the site macbidouille.com in french unfortunately has many posts on this subject with testimonies about convincing Apple (nicely, politely) to repair dthe offending machine. See this particular thread:
    http://forum.macbidouille.com/index.php?showtopic=227501&st=330

    Good luck and persevere !
  • by Progressive Pictures,

    Progressive Pictures Progressive Pictures Jan 16, 2009 4:00 AM in response to tintinlad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 16, 2009 4:00 AM in response to tintinlad
    Thanks Tintin, I will do that. I didn't have time to read every reply in the thread so I apologise for missing the information the first time.
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