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Helpful answers
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Dec 26, 2014 5:47 PM in response to claire.mia88by K Shaffer,The issue as stated suggests a backlight or other electronic component issue
related to the display and not a software cause. Have no information on local
consumer laws, and significant time has passed, so even with some law, it
may be too late for some kind of adjustment to repair fees.
To contact Apple there, to inquire, and also check the local government law
would be the best thing to follow through on; we're just users helping users
when possible, in these ASC discussions for the most part...
- Australia - Sales, Service, certification, consulting, training options, etc.
There are several parts that may contribute to the display backlight faillure
to include inverter and other parts, there's a cable, a switch, and other items.
Some of these start to go out due to the cable flexing between the movable
display/lid and the logic board; others have a failure in the inverter itself. An
Apple product specialist, authorized service provider, should be able to look
into the issues, symptoms, and troubleshoot or diagnose the issue. This is
about the only way to get an approximate estimate. Also, once opened up
there may be other minor parts that could require replacement to assure the
main repair (for the effort involved) to be a success. Some parts can still work
but a history of their known duration before failure may be a factor if other items
inside the computer may be addressed while it is open for a different service.
So that may be the direction to go with this.
You may be able to locate a qualified Apple expert or specialist, that could
perform the work on an older out-of-warranty model; some the Store and
genius bar may not mess with.
If you have tried an external display with correct video display adapter, that is
one of the ways to narrow down the other aspects of what may be involved
with a repair. That would be a part of troubleshooting at home. Also consider
the iFixit.com repair guides that cover most aspects of repair; they may be
beyond ones technical skills & experience to DIY, yet helpful to know about.
Older LCD units use a cold fluorescent light behind the LCD panel, newer ones
use the LED (light diodes) instead; so they also have wear and failure causes
in and of themselves; and panels could be bought in nearly complete form from
a supply vendor. Other times, another Mac may be parted out, for such bits.
In either kind of panel, there is a liquid crystal component of some kind or other.
Hopefully you can talk to someone there who knows the legal issue you ask
but it does seem quite along time ago since you bought it, and these do have
a history of eventual failure. Almost all portable computers can have the cable
or inverter, or other related parts fail at some point. If the computer has sat
with the display open and it had only been used with external keyboard, and
mouse, the hinge and cable to the display should never wear out. That said,
the inverter and other electronic parts could still fail over time & due to use.
Mine are rarely set to full-bright, to save the backlight from failure, and to limit
the heat build-up which may also cause a problem with the electronics.
Good luck & happy computing!
edited