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 VICTOR59,

    VICTOR59 VICTOR59 Jan 4, 2008 6:01 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2008 6:01 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Bonjour, j'ai un G5 depuis près de deux ans. Des lignes verticales apparaissent sur l'écran. Je compte écrire un article pour dénoncer ce défaut. Etes-vous concernés?
    Merci

  • by tintinlad,

    tintinlad tintinlad Jan 4, 2008 10:07 PM in response to VICTOR59
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Jan 4, 2008 10:07 PM in response to VICTOR59
    Bonjour
    Il faut tenir compte que les discussions ici se passent en anglais... Aussi tu parles de ton G5: est-ce un G5 (dans ce cas il faut poster à http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=591) ou encore un IMAC G5 (dans ce cas tu es au bon endroit). Aussi pour plus de contact en francais il y a le tres complet site macbidouille.com avec des forums sur tous les sujets dont ceux parlant des lignes verticales (principalement sur les Imacs et portables comme:http://forum.macbidouille.com/index.php?showtopic=239578&st=150)
    Et finalement pour ce dont tu parles, je crois qu'il faut convaincre Apple USA, ensuite seulement les autres pays suivront. Plusieurs clients ont obtenus réparation en France dans des accords non-divulgués mais ceux-ci avaient achetés leur machine sur le store Apple. En tous cas il faut continuer à essayer de trouver des moyens de pression, moi j'en suis à la procédure juridique.

  • by gidnitacs,

    gidnitacs gidnitacs Jan 5, 2008 3:22 AM in response to zaloita
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 5, 2008 3:22 AM in response to zaloita
    hi zaloita,

    at least you've had 2 yrs before the problem came out. a lot of the people had it come out on their 13th to 15th month.

  • by zaloita,

    zaloita zaloita Jan 5, 2008 4:40 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 5, 2008 4:40 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Well, maybe I'm luckier than others, but, anyway, I don't want to change my computer, it worked perfectly until this happened, and I think I have the same right as everybody to complain about this.

  • by gidnitacs,

    gidnitacs gidnitacs Jan 6, 2008 5:54 AM in response to zaloita
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2008 5:54 AM in response to zaloita
    of course, you do! let's hope that apple hears all of our complaints and act on it.

    anyway, i feel the same way. i probably have nearly 100 lines (it's already too difficult to count), but i still love my imac and use it everyday. can't use it for photo editing anymore though, which really *****.

  • by Boo Blanco1,

    Boo Blanco1 Boo Blanco1 Feb 18, 2008 7:50 PM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (115 points)
    Feb 18, 2008 7:50 PM in response to gidnitacs
    I own a 17" iMac 2GHz Core2Duo and just last night it also developed a vertical yellow line. I run Leopard and my software's fully updated, including the latest graphics update. I've checked my iMac's serial number and it's also a W8*** manufactured in Shanghai, China during week 35 (September) of 2006. My unit's out of warranty and posts here saying that the solution is an LCD replacement only depresses me.

  • by Duane,

    Duane Duane Feb 19, 2008 8:27 AM in response to Boo Blanco1
    Level 10 (124,018 points)
    Feb 19, 2008 8:27 AM in response to Boo Blanco1
    This is the discussion area for the iMac G5. Your iMac is not a G5.

    You should post in the Intel-based iMac discussion area.

  • by Boo Blanco1,

    Boo Blanco1 Boo Blanco1 Feb 22, 2008 12:43 AM in response to Duane
    Level 1 (115 points)
    Feb 22, 2008 12:43 AM in response to Duane
    i know. but now you also know that this problem isn't only limited to the iMac G5.

  • by djstarchild,

    djstarchild djstarchild Feb 25, 2008 12:31 AM in response to naknak
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2008 12:31 AM in response to naknak
    same problem... serial number w8619xxxxx

  • by musashi88,

    musashi88 musashi88 Feb 25, 2008 3:05 PM in response to djstarchild
    Level 2 (455 points)
    Feb 25, 2008 3:05 PM in response to djstarchild
    now have 5 lines

  • by rmjf,

    rmjf rmjf Feb 26, 2008 7:22 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 26, 2008 7:22 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Hi gidnitacs,
    I hope I spelled your alias correctly as I had to squint to see in between the vertical lines all over my husband's iMac. Yes, his iMac has over 20 lines now. It started with just 1 around Nov 2007. He bought the computer Feb 2006 without APP, of course, since who would have though such an expensive and high end product would go crazy in just under 2 years. I checked the website and... W8 Shanghai China!

    I visited the Apple Store in Glorietta (this is a Philippine shopping mall- to people from other countries) to check out an ipod for my father and laughed out loud when the salesman said that what differentiated Apple from the other manufacturers is its support. What support?!? We complained to them before about iMovie unexpectedly quitting and they had no answers. And, when I mentioned the vertical lines, I just got blank faces. They seemed quite relieved when I said the computer was over warranty.

    I will log my complaint in the Product feedback site one person posted.

    <Edited by Moderator>

  • by JonSal,

    JonSal JonSal Feb 27, 2008 4:35 AM in response to gidnitacs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 27, 2008 4:35 AM in response to gidnitacs
    A vertical line on the screen a bit from the right edge appeared on my iMac G5 2GHz just a couple of days ago, really annoying. I don't have any suggestions how to get Apple to address this issue though but i wanted to post to support the cause.

    My mac is 3 years in may so if theres going to be a new extended repair program it better start soon.

    Jonas

  • by dperetti,

    dperetti dperetti Mar 2, 2008 3:17 PM in response to JonSal
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Mar 2, 2008 3:17 PM in response to JonSal
    what side of the screen ?

  • by rmjf,

    rmjf rmjf Mar 10, 2008 7:04 AM in response to rmjf
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2008 7:04 AM in response to rmjf
    Hi All,
    After posting for the first time last Feb, I also emailed Apple via their Product Feedback page. No response. Talk about being professional. Or maybe their Customer Service is not doing their jobs just like their Quality Control?

    Now we have a 6 inch BAND in the middle of our screen. It's actually divided into 2. The 3 inch band to the left has black background but a myriad of colorful vertical lines. The 3 inch band to the right is color sea green. I have to move screens around just to see what I'm typing or reading. If there were a contest on who got the worst iMac screen, I think we'll win hands down! Hopefully, the price would not be an iMac coz for sure, after a year or so, we'll get the lines again.

    Anyway, we decided to simply junk this iMac and get a different computer, the better one made by Dell. (Oops, will this be edited as well Moderator?)

  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Mar 10, 2008 10:08 AM in response to rmjf
    Level 9 (57,623 points)
    Mar 10, 2008 10:08 AM in response to rmjf
    "I also emailed Apple via their Product Feedback page. No response. Talk about being professional."

    I guess you forgot to read the top of the Feedback page:
    +"We read all feedback carefully, _but please note that we cannot respond to the comments you submit."+_

    "(Oops, will this be edited as well Moderator?)"

    Why?

    A lot of Window users post here as well as Mac/Window users. Everyone is welcome here no matter what computer one uses.
    Apple does not discriminate. After all, their computers are now Intels.
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