Uneven illumination

same here guys, the right part of my PB seems dying. I also have white spots... I hate to send my computer since I spent almost 3 weeks to configure it, I don't want to do it again!!!
Even though I have all those *extremely" annoying problems, I love this computer...

I just received my 15" PB FW 800 1.25 GHz back from Apple after sending it in for repair of the LCD white spot problem (and for a new case bottom, to replace the original one that had begun to deform around the cd drive slot), and now I, too, have noticed that the replacement LCD has this dark area problem. It's confined to the lower part of the screen, just to the right of the middle, and is only/always noticeable right after the machine wakes up from sleep (whether the lid is closed or not); typically the screen illumination evens out after a few minutes, or if I restart, it returns to normal.

I'll send it back again, but this will be my fourth repair issue (the first was to replace a faulty airport extreme antenna assembly...then the white spot and case problems). Someday, I'm sure I'll get to enjoy this computer without having to fixate on its flaws. As a dedicated Mac user since 1987, I must say I have never had so many problems with an Apple product.

I've had my TiPB for 2 years and just started to notice a dark spot the size of a dime right above the sleep light. it's always there now, although seems a little better for a couple minutes after "massaging" that area of the screen. i'm sure it appeared recently - i stare at this screen so many hours of every day that i definitely would have noticed if it had been there for a long time. i'm just wondering what's causing it. i'm sure most people wouldn't even notice it, but i'm an anal design student and find myself glaring at it quite frequently, thinking, is it darker? is it darker?!? AHHH!! i think it's getting darker! no wait, if i touch it, it goes away for a while! oh no, it's back again!

i've had no other problems with this computer, btw.. it's been a perfect little angel. 🙂 ordered it from the apple site.

i think i might have posted this in the wrong place (is this for aluminum only?) but oh well hehe..

I'm noticing this problem, too, on my 2 month old PB, especially when I turn the computer on first thing in the morning. You can clearly see that the left half of the screen is brighter than the right half. However, after it's been on for awhile, the illumination seems to even out for the most part.

I called AppleCare and the technician had me reset the Open Firmware with "reset-nvram" and "reset-all", and then reset the PMU (shift-control-option & power button). After restarting the display was much better, from all sides.

However, I'm not sure if this is a temporary solution for a bad LCD screen. I guess I'll know more tomorrow morning. I'd hate send the unit in, though, as I haven't noticed any white spots, nor do I have any dead pixels.

Send it in. I sent mine in on a Monday afternoon and had it back Wed morning at 9 am.
The new display is much brighter than the old one. It is great.

Denise, how often was your old display "uneven"? My screen seems to only have the uneven illumination every once in a while...usually when I wake it from sleep.

Basically, I'm trying to decide if I should send it in now or if I should wait to see if it gets worse and/or if it starts occurring more frequently...thanks.

Calvin,
My display was uneven whenever I woke if from sleep. It would sometimes gets better as it "warmed up." It was usually worse in the morning.
The display was actually not as uneven before I sent it in and I debated whether to send it in but I am so glad that I did.
The new display is a lot brighter than the old one. I can have the brightness set to the second bar and it is almost as bright as the old display on full brightness.

Well after all my yellow text and white spot problems. I too have the half dim display.

I will be calling apple tomorrow morning. This will be the 4th time I am sending my powerbook in. First two times was for repair, 3rd time was for a replacement.

I'm getting a little tired of sending this thing in. Since I bought it (2 months ago), I think I had it in my possession for about 2-1/2 weeks....pathetic.

To anyone who sent their PowerBooks in for the uneven illumination problem, do you know what Apple did to repair it? Did they replace both the LCD screen and the lid?

Craig

I sent my PB 15 in FW 800 1.25 GHz in last Thursday, rec'd it back yesterday. I had sent it in for the dim, unevenly lit LCD, as well as a dark area that temporarily covered the lower right half of the screen on waking up from sleep. This was the second LCD in a month for this new machine (bought in October); the first replacement LCD fixed the white spot problem.

The latest repair inventory indicates that the computer now hosts a new:

1. 646-0205 display, 15 in Samsung W5
2. 590-5279 Q16 LCD cable
3. 603-4549 foam diffuser assy, PE DSPL, Q16

I must say that the latest LCD is clear, bright, evenly lit–much better than the first two (and I calibrated all three LCDs). By the way, the new LCD replaced a 646-0175 replacement display, which was the white spot fix. From what I can gather from the reports of other fixes, the 646-0205 Samsung is now Apple's preferred replacement LCD for all these display problems.

I was resistant to add a "me too" post, but, wanted to try to inspire any lurkers on the fence to go ahead and send their PowerBook in for repair. The right half of my screen went dark at around six weeks of ownership, and I was glad to find this thread.

I also sent in my PowerBook to AppleCare, and can report the same success as Denise and Rick above. The new screen is a Samsung, and considerably brighter overall. They also fixed my cover latch, which would not stay closed.

I called Applecare today and a box is being shipped out. I'll probably send it in on Monday.

This is No. 4 for being sent in for repair.

Well I got back my PowerBook today. I have to commend Apple on the quick turnaround. The Proof of Repair indicates only one part was replaced:

646-0205 - DSPL, 15.2, XGA, PB15", SAMSUNG W5

The illumination is normal now. Others mentioned that their replaced screens were much brighter. I don't find that to be the case. In fact, it's a bit dimmer.

I just wanted to add another corollary to this post. I'd like to state first off that I'm really happy with my new screen and don't plan on seeing any problem for a long time coming 🙂 BUT. Being the perfectionist that I am, does anyone else notice some 'slightly' dark areas at the bottom of their new replacement screen. These splotches are barely noticeable and I think they're just a tad darker because these areas are where the backlighting tubes are. I guess there really is no 'perfect' screen. I'm assuming there's always barely perceivable areas that are darker that one really wouldn't notice unless they squinted and looked really hard. Thoughts anyonoe?

Well I have to say I'm glad I found this thread, because I have exactly the same issue with my screen - dark down the right hand side, and dark spots at the bottom corners. If I turn the screen all the way up it sort of corrects, but not totally.

This is the second machine that I've had that's developed this problem. The first was the same - fine out of the box, but after about two weeks it develops this. It took apple australia three weeks to replace the first machine (after being quoted 2-3 working days) and I only got it then because I jumped up and down about it - my reseller knew nothing, apple knew nothing, and it was tough cookies that I was losing money because I didn't have a machine.

As far as this falling into "acceptable parameters" I would like to point out the fact that I have NEVER seen this on any LCD that I have used, and I think it's completely unacceptable for a machine aimed at the graphics professionals market. I too would call myself a perfectionist, and that's exactly why I bought this and not a windoze box - something I hate to say I'm now reconsidering.

I am rapidly losing patience with this (can you tell?) I'm reluctant to let go of this one even for "2-3 working days" in case it's another re-run of the last time.

BTW I treat this machine with kid gloves - it's never even left my house.