iMac Dark Area Left Side Screen

Question

Level 1

4 points

iMac Dark Area Left Side Screen

Worked late couple of nights ago - watched the left side of the screen go darker. Turned the iMac off for 15 minutes - and the screen was okay again.

Till today... the dark area - left side of screen - turned up again. Disappeared again for 5-10 seconds and the problem reoccured.

The iMac is cold at the bottom of the screen but pretty hot in the top... wondered if it has something to do with the heat generated.

Often happens when iMac is turned on for several hours.

Any ideas?

The iMac is from fall 2009.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7), iMac 27" 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7

Posted on Jun 14, 2011 3:06 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MadisonP

Level 5

4,838 points

Jun 14, 2011 8:40 PM in response to hansenodense

Greetings,

Sounds like the backlight behind the LCD is going out.

Reset the SMC and then test: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Reset the PRAM and then test: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/26871.html

If the issue persists after you follow the above steps you are experiencing a hardware issue and your system requires evaluation and / or service. You may wish to make an appointment with a Mac Genius at an Apple store, contact AppleCare via phone, or contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider for assistance.

Reply

Answer 2

hansenodense Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 15, 2011 4:24 AM in response to MadisonP

Thanx for your suggestion.

Resetting SMC and PRAM... I do it reguarlly - is not helping.

The issue persist.

The interval between restart and dark area showing up on left side of screen becomes shorter and shorter. I can still use the screen... though definitely not good for the eyes.

Reply

Answer 3

MadisonP

Level 5

4,838 points

Jun 15, 2011 9:00 PM in response to hansenodense

Resetting SMC and PRAM... I do it reguarlly - is not helping.

These resets should only be done to troubleshoot an issue. They are not maintenance techniques. Careful of overuse.

If you have AppleCare on your system, contacting service as I suggested above would be advisable. If you don't have AppleCare you could still contact a local Apple Authorized Service Provider to get a price estimate if you are interested.

Best of luck to you.

Reply

Answer 4

hansenodense Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 27, 2011 12:32 AM in response to hansenodense

Briefing for the iLost in CyberSpace with same problems... seems there's a problem with late 2009 iMac 27" models (?). I'll turn in the iMac for a service check (Apple Store). So far Apple has been very kind and helpful without giving a specific answer - what part of the iMac is the problem? Is it the screen? The backlight? A tiny little connector... ?

I've found several people with same problem. Just talked to a good friend this weekend... mentioned the problem. We bought the iMac's at the same time. I bought mine for home, he bought two for his work. And he has exactely the same problem with one of the two iMac 27" he bought!

Is the late 2009 iMac 27" a monday model ?

It is the first shipment of the 27" iMac's!

Reply

Answer 5

MadisonP

Level 5

4,838 points

Jun 27, 2011 5:09 PM in response to hansenodense

what part of the iMac is the problem? Is it the screen? The backlight? A tiny little connector... ?

Most likely the backlight but when you take it in for service they will diagnose the issue. I have the same model as you and have no such issue so I would not go so far as to say its all the the 27" iMacs. Taking it in for service is the way to go.

Reply

Answer 6

hansenodense Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 28, 2011 12:26 AM in response to MadisonP

I'm sure not all are faulty... As mentioned my friend bought two for work, one has same problem. Let's hope number of faulty iMacs from early 2009 doesn't increase! It's first line of the 27" iMacs.

Probably it's the backlight but user report similar case

( http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1099304 )

mention that exchanging the backlight doesn't help the iMac backlight problem - left side of screen.

But I'll turn it it to an AppleStore to have them look at it. Already talked to Apple and mailed with the store.

Still - would like to know what causes the problem! But I'll be back.

Reply

Answer 7

VAENG

Level 1

0 points

Nov 28, 2011 6:45 PM in response to hansenodense

I have the same problem on my 2009 iMac 27. I've seen a number of posts on the internet; however, I've not seen anyone post the cause / the part that needs to be replaced. Any help would be appreciated.

Reply

Answer 8

hansenodense Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 28, 2011 11:45 PM in response to VAENG

A little status. I didn't turn in my Mac as expected. Could not do without it at the time... we're talking about the home altar! But I expect it will be a bill of aprox. 7000-9000 danish kroner, that's 1200-1500$ - or to have it diagnosed aprox 150$

Soooo... instead I bought a second monitor and a connector. Samsung by the way ⚠ That's only aprox 230-250$. And I don't have to turn in my home altar...

Good thing though - the dark spot is not getting worse over the past half year.

I have talked to Apple about the problem - but they couldn't or wouldn't tell me what the problem was. I'm sure they know... it's not an uncommon problem with late 2009 iMac's.

Reply

Answer 9

cYrEaD

Level 1

3 points

Dec 1, 2012 6:09 PM in response to hansenodense

This is happening to me on a 27" Imac bought in 2011. Left side of the screen is flickering and periodically going quite dark. Apparently I'm 40 days out of waranty. From doing a couple basic google searches I find this is a common issue with these LG manufactured screens in the 27" imac's from 2009 to 2012. But Apple isn't issuing a recall... Cant wait to see how much a repair will cost - I hear $1000 for apple to do this. Cant believe a 1 year old computer that costs over $2k is failing already - and the problem is this widespread.

Reply

Answer 10

hansenodense Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 2, 2012 3:54 AM in response to cYrEaD

Take a look at this report: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4041042?start=0&tstart=0

I've had my 2009 iMac opened - when I added a ssd harddisk - but didn't dare messing with the soldering. But the problem could be a simple as that. I'll live with the black spot/area - till it's time getting a new iMac.

Reply

Answer 11

cYrEaD

Level 1

3 points

Dec 2, 2012 12:10 PM in response to hansenodense

thanks hansenodsense. guess Ill take the thing apart and get the soldering iron out. i bought the computer to do some photo editing so I really cant live with apples shoddy construction/poor engineering causing the left side to be this dark. if I mess something up I wont be buying another imac because it seems this issue is happening still with 2012 computers! Get your act together apple.

Reply