Flashing power button on my 20 Inch cinema display

Don't trash your displays yet! (Or replace inverter boards!)

-Shut down your computer.
- unplug and replug the display's connection to the computer.
-restart.

Problem will be solved. It's caused by a loose connection--say if the cord gets tugged. This happens to my Cinema Display infrequently...far enough apart that I forget the solution and have to come looking here for it.

I have an older 20" acrylic display. This may also work for newer displays. Here's the apple help document: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88366

Rob

The tubes can be replaced. I replaced mine myself in less than a half hour. They can be purchased at several places. Try www.moniserv.com You have to remove the back cover and metal shield as you did when you replaced the inverter. Each tube has 2 sets of connectors that you carefully have to disconnect from the inverter, take your time and watch you do not force anything. There is a very small chrome philips screw that holds the wires in place and has to be removed along with the plastic holder. The tubes slide right out and take care to notice that they face towards the center of the screen. If they are hard to remove try loosening but do not remove the chrome screws that run along the top and bottom edge of the tubes to release pressure. They shouls come off now with a little pulling. Note how they face inwards and replace. Hope I helped. ( This I assume is for the acrylic 23 inch display and not the newer aluminum one)

I am having a problem with my 20" apple Cinema display. This morning when I turned it on the power light in the bottom right corner has started blinking at a rate of 2 short and one longer blink. The display is also slightly darker than normal. Never had any problem with either one of my displays til now. Any suggestions as to what is going on here? Ive had this monitor since it was introduced a few years ago. is this a problem that I can repair myself or better to send it somewhere to be fixed? I've never had to repair a computer before.

I've taken my 20" lcd monitor to an authorized mac service center and they told me that it would be better to buy a new 20" monitor for about the same price it would cost me to send it to Apple for them to repair including all the shipping costs. I've had the same blinking power light with the top half of the screen only half a sbright as the bottom. The said it was one of the tubes inside and they couldn't get the parts for that model monitor anymore. I am going to buy a new one tomorrow.

Awwwww man! Are you serious?? I am having the same issue. Just yesterday the monitor suddenly got much dimmer, darker at the top, and is flashing the power button 3 times, last time the longest.

Are you really saying I have to buy another monitor??? Does this mean the end of this thing?

How much is it to replace the "tubes" or whatever they're called in the threads above?

Help much appreciated.

I wish there was better news. They told me that if they can't get the parts for it from Apple then it's no use for me sending it straight to Apple for repairs. Not sure how much the tubes cost since it's hard to get them now. You might look around on Ebay for a good used one or find somebody who might have an older same display for parts. I finally went and bought a couple of 20" Viewsonics for the same price of a new Apple 20". I really like the Viewsonics and the colors are very crisp for my likings.

I guess all things must come to an end. My Ipod I bought back in 2002 just died on me and will hold on to it for the heck of it while I listen to my new ipod.

I have had the same issue with a 20" cinema display hooked up to my Power Mac G5.... I switched from VGA to DVI and the problem continued... two short blinks and one long one... backlight problem... repairs are way too expensive and I was not about to attempt it myself (assuming I could even get the parts).

My solution was to junk the 20" display and replace it with a HP W2207 22" widescreen LCD display which arrived today. I ordered a separate DVI cable but this HP model now comes with one. I was up and running in about 30 minutes. For the price the display will be more than adequate for our needs.

Well I'm just going to say the same thing but at least someone considering buying this screen may not now when they see how common the problem is.

I bought the 20" cinema display in Feb 2006. I didn't buy the extended warranty as I have used mac products for many years and thought they were still built to last. It appears not.

2 weeks ago I noticed the top third of the screen had become darker and the bottom indicator light started flashing quick quick slow. When I looked this up on apple site it said "detecting a problem with a backlighting lamp". I then rang apple thinking I could purchase such a thing but was told no I had to take the screen in to the store for them to identify the issue and give me a quote for fixing it. I took it to the store and they just confirmed the issue by looking up the problem on the site and said it would be too costly for them to fix as they would just replace the whole lcd but gave me a list of suppliers (information also on the apple site) to contact to see if they can fix/replace just that part. Why I couldn't have been given this info on the phone and saved the trip I don't know.

I have since been told by two companies who repair apple products that the screen has no servicable parts and it would involve a total replacement of the unit which would cost £274+VAT. So having bought the screen for £549 just 2 years ago i'm now faced with replacing it with something more reliable because £274 is too much to pay to fix it and later find something else goes wrong with it.

I feel quite cheated out of my hard earned £549.

Well... My amazing Apple 23" Cinema Display (purchased in 2002) finally died on me just this morning. No warning, no partial dimming, just complete blackout. Yes, the LED was flashing 2 short and 1 long, indicating a backlight inverter failure (I hope). Rebooting in various fashions provided no results. The only tantalizing oddity is that, on reboot, the full screen with Apple logo DOES appear for a fraction of a second, then lapses into blackness once again. Having perused various troubleshooting forums today, I decided to attempt my own repairs, and searched for the appropriate backlight inverter... To my great astonishment, I located ONE inverter for the 23" Apple Cinema Display -- it was just listed last night as a "Buy It Now" on Ebay for $75. I first compared the excellent item photo to the photos on a repair walk-through, and the inverter was a spot-on perfect match. Made the purchase, and should have the part in by Monday. At which time I'll be happy (or not) to report on my progress.

Hi. Please help me. I read your posting about how you changed the CCFL tubes on your Apple Cinema Display. I have the exact same problem with mine: I have already changed the inverter board and the upper screen is still dim and the power button still flashes, I can not find anyone who sells the CCFL tubes nor do I know what to order. I found a company that sells CCFL tubes (Stanley Electronics) but I don't know which ones will fit my Apple Display? Since you have already been through this, can you help me determine what part I need and who has it? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Best Regards,
Gary

Just started to happen on my 20" Acrylic Cinema Display (the Original and better looking one)... have ordered a set of bulbs from www.moniserv.com for £30 including shipping to the UK (Cheaper than a new display eh!!!). Will advise as to success.

I feel a lot of the Cinema Display's will start (bulbs) going, with fair to average use, as the bulbs only have a certain life span. I think that if it was the "Inverter Board" why is only half the display dim!!! Try the cheaper option first 😉 If can get another 6-10 years out of this excellent screen why not!!!

Will follow Pat Hughes instructions for the install 😉

Am upset to hear of Apple's advice of just "buy a new screen"!!! Specially when the bulbs are so cheap and fitted in less than 30 mins... not impressed 😟

HI,
I am having the same problem, Display flashing light in a sequence short-long-short.
Tried to unplug and plug back in, leave the computer unplugged (even the power cord) and the display too and then I've plugged them back, but still have the same problem.
Will try to see if the Display work with any other computer and then will let you know.
Also, my display was perfect, it just happened from one day to another (as usual).
I have also noticed that my MacPro, when I push the button to switch it off, it first goes on sleep-mode, which is unusual...
Best

Fabio

While still waiting on my new bulbs to arrive, i try your fix... Ace 😉 Is fixed and working again and no install / replacement parts necessary... years left in the Cinema Display yet...

Highly Recommend this method suggested by Rob, fixed for me 😉 Thanks

Same problem here on my November 2005 20" Cinema Display. The whole screen goes a bit dim and I get short-short-long on the power light. Unplugging and replugging the ADC to the Powermac solves the issue, but only temporarily. Time between failures ranges from a couple of hours to a few days. Any suggestions?