iMac Screen Anomaly: Is It the Glass or Is it the LCD Itself

It's a wonder that it has taken so long to be noticeable. I have a 2010 model where smudges ran horizontally across the screen, I took it to Apple for repair and the screen was replaced (under Applecare warranty). The warranty has since expired and the new screen exhibits the same symptoms. If you open up the IMac the LCD screen is a sandwiched panel and dirt according to a Youtube video is abble to penetrate the seal. I watched his repair but it scared the heck out of me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zHzNC38U8s

See below this problem is as old as the hills. Waiting for my LCD IMac to die so I can purchase an LED replacement. Just Google this issue and you'll see some videos.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2300580?start=30&tstart=0

With both the iMac 21.5-inch and 27-inch models, in this era, there is

a glass cover over the LCD panel; some users in humid climates or

not-so-dry indoor environs had complained of moisture accumulation

between the inside areas of both panels.

While the glass panel is removable, it should not be done on a whim

since the item requires tools and some understanding of how it works.

There is a repair guide for that model (in 21.5 inch; look for the 27 inch

guilde, if you have that one) at the iFixit.com site...

•iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Repair - iFixit:

http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_Intel_21.5%22_EMC_2308

•iMac Intel 27" EMC 2309 and 2374 Repair - iFixit:

http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_Intel_27%22_EMC_2309_and_2374

If there is a question as to the guides here may be incorrect for specific

model use, be sure to correctly identify your iMac and then use that info

to look into the exact details for guides based on how iFixit shows them.

•iMac Intel Repair Guides - iFixit:

http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_Intel

{Later models (see iFixit, or Apple spec) do not have a separate glass

panel in front, so this idea and suggestion is not applicable to them.}

Hopefully the display's 'cloud' is condensate or localized moisture and

you can carefully remove it; then see if you can reduce the humidity

in the location you use and store the iMac intel computer. And, of course

if after clearing both sides of the display glass of any surface contaminant,

and inspecting the outside of the LCD panel, this could be seen as hopeful

exercise in topical troubleshooting. The LCD may still have an issue...

Try a SMC reset; or maybe NVRAM?

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

I have a 27" 2009 iMac at work and it has occasionally had dark gray smudges in spots (they may change and ebb and flow over time). Lately, I have not seen any. In other words, depending on humidity or some other possible factors, they may go away. It has never impeded the functionality of my iMac, except for the view, of course. They were light enough to overlook.

Alvin,

What others have said may be the case with your IMac. In my case after the warranty expired I used a suction cup to remove my glass cover and wiped the LCD plate and inside of the exterior glass cover. The smudges still remain. Why would Apple have replaced my first LCD if it was just humidity.

It's easiy enough to remove the glass so you might want to give it a try. Check out some Youtube videos to see if the degree of difficulty is in your range.