One-pixel yellow line on display

Question

Level 2

340 points

One-pixel yellow line on display

Hi all

While I was working a few minutes ago - this was after my weekly reboot, but the problem wasn't visible then - I noticed a thin (looks like one pixel) yellow line running vertically from top to bottom of the right side of the display. It's the only display anomaly I'm seeing at the moment.

I've seen some scary posts about what this might mean - though none of the posts I've seen have referenced a yellow line. What should I do now? Are there any actions I can take to try to make this go away? I'd be grateful for any help or advice.

Peace

Greg

PowerBook G4, 17, 1.67 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1 GB RAM, 60 GB IPod Photo

Posted on Aug 5, 2006 10:57 PM

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Answer 1

Flippo

Level 2

215 points

Aug 6, 2006 1:29 AM in response to Greg Baker1

Do you have external monitor? if yes, try to attach your unit to external monitor and mirror the display. See if the yellow line also appear in your external monitor or not ? If it does then your problem possible in the logic board (video chipset issue)
2nd thing, if you have external HD to boot your unit, try that and see if the problem happen when you boot your unit using external HD (or is you don;t have exteranl HD then use restore CD to boot your unit). If after booting your unit from another bootable device your unit still shows the yellow line then we can eliminate the software issue and pinpoint the hardware is the culprit.
Now if you connect external monitor to your unit and the problem did not shows up in the external monitor then you have problem in the LCD display assembly itself.
If you still have warranty in your unit then call apple to get the unit repaired or bring to the nearest AASP or Apple store in your area

Good Luck

Flippo

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Answer 2

Aug 15, 2006 9:08 PM in response to Greg Baker1

I am so disappointed with the Powerbook 17" and its overbearing problems, in and out of repairs, it is not worth it anymore. It is time that some quality control be looked at in these products. It is OK! to make money and ramp up the feel good "what mac could do" but as a customer, I've had it. My computer is not a toy, it is a work machine and if it cannot perform I'll certainly take my business elsewhere. It is scary about the 17" display and the lines that suddenly pops up and cannot be corrected by the customer. My machine is a bit over one year and I am having so much problems (is it a lemon?). Do something, anything, take some responsibilty here for the defects Mr. manufacturer.

Mac OS X (10.4.2)

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Answer 3

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Aug 16, 2006 5:47 AM in response to Roostershrimp

Like almost all PowerBook users I have had little trouble with my machine. You are posting in the complaint department so naturally there are complaints. Even NASA who spends a lot of money of quality control has a few troubles. Apple has less troubles than most if not all other makers.

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Answer 4

John K.

Level 1

68 points

Aug 23, 2006 6:29 PM in response to Hardy Geer

I have to agree with Hardy Geer. It's pretty rare to have a portable computer on ANY platform that will not have some problem from time to time. I have had the same problem with the vertical 1 pixel line on my screen, but it's covered under Apple Care. Coincidentally, a friend's Dell laptop has suffered motherboard and display problems for the last few months. I'd say compared to him, I've definitely had a better run of luck as an Apple user!

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Answer 5

fnumber

Level 1

0 points

Oct 9, 2006 11:54 AM in response to Greg Baker1

Me too. 17 inch G4 1.67 A one pixel line, blue in colour running the entire depth of screen from top to bottom. Appeared last night and has not gone yet but has not been joined by others either. Laptop is about 18 months old. Not happy.

17 G4 Laptop Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 6

Greg Baker1 Author

Level 2

340 points

Oct 11, 2006 1:07 PM in response to Greg Baker1

Hello All

I have just developed a magenta line to match the yellow one that made me start this thread. It also seems 1 pixel wide and runs from the top to the bottom of the screen. From what I've read in other post, it seems it will onlhy be a matter of time before a proliferation of lines makes the screen unusable.

This is not acceptable to me and, in my opinion, should not be acceptable to Apple. The number of users reporting this problem and the fact that the sequence of events and the color of the lines are all so similar, indicate that this stems from some kind of manufacturing problem. I believe Apple should do the honorable thing and cover this under a recall program similar to the one implemented for the 15" PowerBook.

I think this case ought to be made to Apple directly. Can one of the more experienced posters please inform me of how I should go about contacting someone who can take some real action on this. Any system can prove to have problems, but where the problem is obviously a design flaw rather than a one-off anomaly or the result of misuse, Apple should stand behind us.

Please respond with contact info for someone I can write.

Regards

Greg

PowerBook G4, 17, 1.67 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1 GB RAM, 60 GB IPod Photo

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Answer 7

Oct 11, 2006 2:42 PM in response to Greg Baker1

My magenta 1 px lines are now three, and it seems that they're gonna grow in the next days. This thing is absolutely unacceptable for a so expensive computer.

I have the intention to open a blog whit photos documenting the problem, if Apple will not reply to our requests.
Are you with me?

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Answer 8

Greg Baker1 Author

Level 2

340 points

Oct 12, 2006 12:23 PM in response to Vincenzo Acinapura

Vincenzo

By all means, blog. But I'm wondering if something along the lines of a petition / open letter format might be more effective in affecting the corporate decision-making process. Those of us affected should discuss and, if possible, get help on who and how to get this addressed. That's why I've asked for advice on who the relevant person is who I should contact. If you've ever worked in a bureaucracy you know that sometimes talking to the right person can save a lot of time and trouble.

BTW, if the Apple moderators are following this thread, I'd be pleased to know what your thoughts are on this issue. This problem seems fairly common, but only among users of the 1.67 iteration of the 17" PB (as far as I know). We are users who invested a lot of money in the best (& most expensive) mobile hardware that Apple had to offer at the time of purchase. We're probably faithful customers who, in time, will spend a lot more money on Apple hardware in the future. Why squander goodwill over a matter like this?

It just seems to make sense that Apple would institute a limited recall to fix this known and obvious fault. It's a good idea for us and for them.

Peace

G

PowerBook G4, 17, 1.67 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1 GB RAM, 60 GB IPod Photo

PowerBook G4, 17, 1.67 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1 GB RAM, 60 GB IPod Photo

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Answer 9

hw3

Level 1

0 points

Oct 13, 2006 1:43 PM in response to Greg Baker1

I'm with you, 100%.

From my reading, it seems the problem starts around 1 to 1.5 years after purchasing, 1 line/a few days. (I have 9 lines now, different colors).

Spent about $3200 (educational price) one and a half years old on it. Feel hard to give it up, but it's a shame to use the machine in class. Students are all shocked!!! "Is this an apple computer?"

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Answer 10

Lunaire

Level 1

0 points

Oct 15, 2006 12:36 PM in response to hw3

Same problem here. My PB 17" 1.67 is about 18 months old. The first line appeared after about 14 months and they're now popping up at a rate of 1 a day. There are currently 31 of them!

I've only ever used the Powerbook as a desktop, so it can't be blamed on physical misuse. This is clearly a design/manufacturing flaw of this model.

Fortunately the lines don't get copied to the external monitor connection, so my temporary solution has been to buy a second display. Needless to say, I didn't buy an Apple model.

PB 17" 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 11

Jon Oum

Level 1

0 points

Oct 15, 2006 9:22 PM in response to Lunaire

This is utterly REDICULOUS not only did I have the pixel problem, but today half of my screen is now filled with these lines. I can't belive that this is happenening to all of us. I agree that we all shelled out a lot of money for what we believed to be the top of the line notebook computer at the time of purchase. But I am shocked to see that this occured all at the same time of use!!! This has to be a recall-worthy problem, because I can't shell out the rediculous amount of money that it will take to get the screen replaced.

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Answer 12

Oct 17, 2006 10:46 AM in response to Greg Baker1

Dear 17'' PowerBook G4 TFT victims,

I have been monitoring several threads like this one over the past weeks and I counted 30 users owning precisely the same model and revision and having the same problem.

My stripes started on August 4th, 2006 with a single pink vertical line. Over the next couple of weeks there were 8 lines spreading vertically across the display. Since September 23rd, this is the final "result" so far:
User uploaded file

Notice that stripe! Also all colors except white now have a sick green look. You can still see the vertical line clusters to the left and on the right. The display ist not usable anymore; my PowerBook is now used with an external monitor and an external keyboard and mouse attached are it.

Greetings,

Kay

PowerBook G4 17'' (TFT has the Stripes Of Death) Mac OS X (10.4.1)

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Answer 13

Oct 17, 2006 11:39 AM in response to Kay Michael Masslow

My lines started on Agoust too.
Here is a picture showing the current status of my monitor.

User uploaded file

please post the pictures!

if you are not able to post it, please send me a mail.

I sent a fax to Apple today. I will let you know what will happen.

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Answer 14

Greg Baker1 Author

Level 2

340 points

Oct 17, 2006 1:06 PM in response to Vincenzo Acinapura

Thanks Vincenzo

Let us know what happens.

Where are you sending your fax?

Regards

Greg

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Answer 15

Oct 17, 2006 1:26 PM in response to Greg Baker1

I've sent the fax to this number:

00353 214283036 - Apple Computer - Customer Relation Admin
To the Italian Department.

I hope to get an answer soon!

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