My iMac Intel 27" EMC 2429 2.7GHz i5 has a large black area that looks like the back light has gone out. How do I know whether it's the backlight board or the LED?
Or even the video card? As suggested by Mayer in this post- Backlight dim in a part of the screen
I appreciate any help or feedback. Thank you,
Ben
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7)
Likely not the GPU, it looks like a backlighting issue. At any rate take it to your local Apple Authorized Service Provider who can professionally test it, let you know what the issue is and then you decide if you wan two fix it. My local AASP charges $100 for that service but credits it back if I move forward with the service. Can's say what yours would do.
If you don't know any AASPs in your area, please click the link below to begin finding one.
https://locate.apple.com/country
Good luck.
Thanks for the reply! I appreciate the feedback, although taking it to the local Simply Mac store isn't a viable option. They've botched enough jobs to lose my trust and inspire me to open my own Mac repair store. It just so happens I haven't had an issue like this one, in all my years. We don't have an Apple Store where I live so it's a good opportunity for me to figure it out.
The first troubleshooting attempt appears to be hooking it up to another monitor, if the display on the 2nd monitor also shows the black spot, then it's likely the video card going bad. IF the display on the 2nd monitor does NOT show the black spot, then it's likely the LED backlight or the LEC display itself, correct?
Please let me know if there is anything else you can think of. Thank you 🙂
I bought a thunderbolt cable and hooked up the iMac to another display. Using the Command + F2 keys there is NO black on the 2nd display, it looks perfect.
So, does that mean the video card is okay? It's either the LED backlight or the LED itself?
I just stopped by the Simply Mac store and talked with the tech person I know there. She said I was troubleshooting correctly.
I understand if it's your job to refer me to an Apple certified store, but I refuse to pay $70 for them to diagnose my machine at their discretion, they'll tell me I need a new LED instead of just replacing the LED backlight for $30. I understand if you are directed to tell me these things, but I'm honestly not comfortable doing so. I want to figure it out on my own. If you can't help me any further I understand.
I've already troubleshot the 1st step and confirmed that it's not likely the video card, since the display looks fine on another monitor. I'm honestly capable of fixing this myself, I've worked on iMacs for 10 years and just have never had to deal with this type of issue before.
Have you considered looking for another AASP in your area, other than that you are pretty much on your own.
You are not talking to Apple, we are all end users just like you. If you wish to speak to Apple, contact AppleCare.
The iMac looks GREAT after replacing the LED backlight... super easy job. Nothing to it!
Thanks so much for your keen insight and support everyone! Couldn't have done it without you 🙂
Your welcome. 😉
Backlight on display is black on half of the screen
