Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Pixel Lines on Screen - only when backlight is on

I pre-ordered a Black 30GB Video iPod when I first heard about them.

For the past year, my iPod has stayed in mint condition because of my iPod sock. However I turned my iPod on the other day and there was 3 small lines in the middle of the screen.

There are no cracks on the front or back of iPod. Just pixelized lines on the screen.

They have grown each time my iPod has been turned on/off and they now stretch across the whole screen.

When the screen doesn't have a backlight, there are no lines viewable. When the light comes on they appear.

First time it appeared -

Today -

Anyone got any ideas how to fix it?

Thanks.

5th Generation, 30GB Black iPod Video, Windows XP

Posted on Nov 9, 2007 6:34 AM

118 replies

Feb 1, 2008 6:31 PM in response to Leesha0585

Hi I sent my sons ipod in for the pixel line issue. Really fast, didnt try to sell me anything extra or anything. I sent it in the mail and they got it and shipped it back- all in 1 day.

Feb 1, 2008 6:32 PM in response to mathew9021

i forgot to mention- the repair was excellent- screen looks like new (it is new, so it should look like new 🙂 In my opinnion it is brighter than it was before too.

Feb 7, 2008 10:08 AM in response to Hombre3000

Having the exact same problem...any news on it yet?

Feb 7, 2008 2:37 PM in response to ElvisJulep

I went to the Apple store yesterday and they checked for warrantee, and because it ran out, they said that I would just have to get a new one.

Mar 29, 2008 12:43 PM in response to Matthew Power

I am having the same issue. The lines showed up 3 days after going through an air port (others mentioned it so I thought it might be relevant)The lines have gotten smaller in the last day. I have tried resetting (lock button x6 and Menu+button) and I Restored it through iTunes. No help.

Apr 9, 2008 12:16 PM in response to senorrhoades

have you yet discovered a solution?

also, for any others who have the information of use- I am of mexico, how, do I receive the service in my county? the vendors of service located by me have not been able to transact with the ones of Mexico.

bronto98

Level 1

0 points

Apr 14, 2008 12:05 AM in response to pedro navarre

I have exactly the same problem.. issue started in late Feburary.... it's odd, because randomly at times the screen is fine, then suddenly it is not anymore for weeks on end. yet the unit still plays.

The irony is the IPOD literally sat on the shelf on my desk w/o any interaction from anything. this has to be software related, planned obs., or a bug/virus.

It's interesting that apple never replies to anything in any of these forms!!!! whats the point of having them?

Jun 15, 2008 7:58 PM in response to bronto98

BUMP! This issue just happened with my 5G ipod and I'm not really in the mood to buy a new one. I'm out of warranty, so i'm banking on a fix that i can do myself.

kilps

Level 1

0 points

Jul 11, 2008 3:02 AM in response to Matthew Power

The same thing happened to both my brother and I's 5G iPods around the same time - which combined with how many people are complaining here makes me think it's more than just a random problem. Has anyone managed to get any information out of Apple about this?

dkirby7

Level 1

0 points

Jul 16, 2008 4:44 AM in response to Matthew Power

I too am having this issue. I took a voluntary separation from my work in March and my 30GB Video iPod has been in STORAGE until about two weeks ago. I'm not sure when I got the firmware installed, but I do know 1) It was working fine the last time I used it in March. 2) It basically had not been moved for 3 months. 3) Black line issue appeared right away when I first turned it on after 3 months (was actually surprised it still had battery!).

Has anyone here had any luck contacting Apple Support (I know mine is out of warranty)? Or flashing an older firmware version?

TIA, keep this thread alive!
dkirby7

Aug 1, 2008 12:02 AM in response to dkirby7

My 2nd Gen Nano (Alum) developed pixel anomalies after passing thru an Airport X Ray. The airport being a possible link was also mentioned by an earlier poster.

Functionally, it's perfect though. Learning to live w/ it. I think the Airport scanning can bring on some latent pixel problem.

Message was edited by: AquaGator

Aug 9, 2008 3:08 PM in response to AquaGator

I haven't gone through an airport recently (a couple of weeks ago) and just today the pixel issue started (same 5G, applecare plan ended issue as most folks).

G1G1

Level 1

5 points

Aug 15, 2008 3:58 PM in response to Matthew Power

Hi all,

I have just came back from my holiday and i have the strange pixel problem since a while. It is really strange because the deadzone keeps expanding and it disappears if you turn the backlight off...
Hope that somebody will find a way to solve this.
By the way the problem started a few days after my arrival in Italy (i went by airplane....)

Aug 19, 2008 9:41 PM in response to Matthew Power

I have the 30gig video. Just took the High-Speed-Rail in Taiwan. Got the same black lines on my unit when I got to my destination. Wondering if it has something to do with the scaning at the station. Never had a problem with the unit before and I've had it for a few years.
Ken

kevmcf

Level 1

0 points

Aug 26, 2008 4:32 AM in response to buttheadgsxr1000

I too have the exact same problem. I assumed it was a hardware problem until I found this thread.

Mine hasn't been through a scanner, but the problem did develop shortly after updating to 1.3 (within a day).

As other have said, resetting the iPod has no effect. As also reported, they look like dead pixels but only when the backlight is on. very strange indeed.

Maybe a new firmware release could fix the problem (assuming it isn't actually hardware related).

Pixel Lines on Screen - only when backlight is on