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 tintinlad,

    tintinlad tintinlad Jan 16, 2009 9:57 PM in response to Progressive Pictures
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Jan 16, 2009 9:57 PM in response to Progressive Pictures
    No problem mate! One important thing with our dealings here with apple France: one year and a half ago I asked for the repair and it was refused, that is when I started posting on the macbidouille site and now there is about 42 people who inscribed themselves in that thread with the same problem: maybe that helped for the shift in the policy. Also last june a french court found Apple responsible for this defect for one customer that also may have helped the shift. But everybody seems to agree that it is important not to loose temper while claiming the repair, always remain calm, quiet, explpaining how uncomfortable this is for you, that you dont understand why such a thing would happen etc... Because the people yo speak to are representing Apple, but are also "people"... Anyway that attitude got me out of trouble the second time (a year later) I asked again for the repair.
  • by Alisha Schreiter,

    Alisha Schreiter Alisha Schreiter Jan 22, 2009 12:28 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2009 12:28 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Add me to the list too. I purchased my iMac G5 in March '07, and about 3 months ago I got a vertical line down the right side of my screen. I had originally purchased the APP, and they replaced the display. The day after they replaced my display, I had another line, and within the next week, I had another 5 lines. I took it back to the Genius Bar, and they told me my problem was uncommon, and even when I showed them website forums about the problem, they just basically told me it was a bunch of bull, I had a bad screen the first time, and then got a DOA part when they fixed it. I'm still waiting for them to fix my screen the second time.... Unfortunately, at the rate I'm going, it will probably keep happening. I expressed my disappointment in the survey they sent me after the repair.... but I've yet to receive any response.
  • by tintinlad,

    tintinlad tintinlad Jan 22, 2009 10:08 PM in response to Alisha Schreiter
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Jan 22, 2009 10:08 PM in response to Alisha Schreiter
    Just to testify: my Imac is now repaired and the screen is fine. To reach this results the screen was changed 3 times: this Imac has now its 4th screen...!!! Happily Apple paid the repair, the only drawback being to bring it in and out of the repair center several times over a 6 weeks period. That was end of october and since that last screen wprks great: no lines! So Alisha Schreiter keep up!
  • by Robert Rivas,

    Robert Rivas Robert Rivas Jan 25, 2009 7:28 AM in response to Progressive Pictures
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jan 25, 2009 7:28 AM in response to Progressive Pictures
    Same problem here.
  • by fladnag,

    fladnag fladnag Jan 27, 2009 2:29 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 27, 2009 2:29 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Add my Intel iMac to the list. I am amazed at how widespread this issue is. Will this end in a recall? Something worse (for Apple and consumers both)? I'd like to see Apple show some user love and do the right thing here - they are one of the few tech companies doing well financially right now. They can afford to treat their customers properly. I doubt they can afford to lose them.
  • by rau1988,

    rau1988 rau1988 Feb 7, 2009 10:59 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2009 10:59 PM in response to gidnitacs
    A blue-ish line from top to bottom just appeared on my iMac G5... one more to the bunch!
  • by T.G.B.,

    T.G.B. T.G.B. Feb 8, 2009 5:23 AM in response to rau1988
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 8, 2009 5:23 AM in response to rau1988
    I`ve had the problem now since January, it *****! My iBook runs smooth and slow and I just want to throw my iMac away. Never had any issues with any of my electronics and now, with my most expensive toy, this really *****!
  • by holland900,

    holland900 holland900 Feb 11, 2009 5:17 AM in response to T.G.B.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2009 5:17 AM in response to T.G.B.
    Hi,

    I have looked half a year to these vertical lines on my iMac 17inch and have now about hundred. Soon I will have no sight anymore. So I had nothing to lose and opened my iMac today to get to source of the problem and found it!!! I opened also the LCD-panel and found wen rubbing the copper connectors connected to the LCD-glass, the lines appeared and dis-appeared! This is not the main LCD connector between the iMac and the LCD-module. The problem is in hair-copper-lines which feed the glass-lcd (not the back-light). These copper lines are very thin and sealed in plastic. I guess there a process of corrosion going on in the plastic sealing of the copper lines.
    The lcd-model is: LG-Philips LM171W02 (on the plastic part). On the lcd-glass is an other model number: LG Philips LCD PN:6807S-0292B DES:LM171W02-TLB1-D11 DESIGNED:2005/10/26
    When you get a after your repair again the same lcd-glass part from the same stock, you probably get the same lines again.

    Hopefully this information is of any use and hopefully Apple or LG-Philips can help us. My iMac was 1,5 years old when starting to get this ugly problem...

    Greetings.
  • by pomonapomme,

    pomonapomme pomonapomme Feb 11, 2009 11:39 PM in response to holland900
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Feb 11, 2009 11:39 PM in response to holland900
    You're right. In my case I had vertical lines appear when I was still within my Applecare extended warranty period. So I got a new screen fitted. About a week later the new screen also started developing lines ... exactly as you predict.
  • by schmaeher,

    schmaeher schmaeher Feb 24, 2009 3:47 PM in response to holland900
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 24, 2009 3:47 PM in response to holland900
    Hi Can you post some instructions for opening the case etc, were you able to correct the line problem yourself if so how?

    Thanks
  • by tintinlad,

    tintinlad tintinlad Feb 24, 2009 10:12 PM in response to pomonapomme
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Feb 24, 2009 10:12 PM in response to pomonapomme
    Just to refresh on this topic. I had the problem out of warranty and Apple (in France) fixed it last october... It took a month the screen was replaced 3 times (with the lines reappearing). My Imac is now with its 4th screen and this time it is remaining in good state. I was told that Apple (France) acknowledge the problem up to 3 years after the buying date.
    For the adventurous there is this tutorial on line on how to open the Imac and also very useful infos on that site (unfortunately it is only in french but the pics speaks for themselves):
    http://macboostfr.free.fr/?p=196
  • by Brad Hedrick,

    Brad Hedrick Brad Hedrick Feb 25, 2009 6:41 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Feb 25, 2009 6:41 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Add me to the list, just 3 months past the expiration of my Applecare Extended Warranty (How did it know?) So far I have one vertical blue line about an inch and a half from the right side of the screen, not intrusive yet, but I'm just waiting for another. Called Apple and told to take it to my nearest retailer for out-of warranty repair or replacement.

    This will definitely be the last (and only) monitor/combo unit I will ever buy again. I am so disappointed, I remember the naysayers cautioning that anything ever happened to the monitor, you're screwed, but I refused to listen. What's worse is that this was my first Apple purchase since switching. IF, if, if I ever buy another Apple computer, it will NOT be an iMac of this design.

    Brad
  • by fladnag,

    fladnag fladnag Feb 25, 2009 10:25 PM in response to Brad Hedrick
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2009 10:25 PM in response to Brad Hedrick
    That's too bad, Brad. I think the iMac is a great machine. It would be nice if Apple would really take responsibility for this. By "out-of-warranty" do you mean you will have to pay for it all?
  • by Brad Hedrick,

    Brad Hedrick Brad Hedrick Feb 26, 2009 5:15 AM in response to fladnag
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Feb 26, 2009 5:15 AM in response to fladnag
    fladnag, I can only assume so since I have not had the opportunity to take it to the nearest store which is an hour away in Richmond. If that turns out to be the case, I will probably do what others have done and buy another flat screen monitor from +someone else+ and just set it in front. That does seem to defeat the whole concept of the iMac because I have enjoyed the 'compactness' of the application.
  • by LaGrasta,

    LaGrasta LaGrasta Mar 13, 2009 10:31 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 13, 2009 10:31 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Coutn me in, Screen trouble on my early Imac G5 as well. Took it to teh apple store and was denied any help...
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