Q: Colored vertical lines on PB 17" display

Dennis,

thanks for all the information. That really makes easier to track down the issue.

BTW, I never thought this was an issue that results from a certain production period in a certain factory; instead, I think it relies to a certain charge of panel 'modules' (e.g. display with peripheral cabling etc.) that have been delivered to or manufactured by Apple.

I believe this mainly because I experience the vertical line issue with a 1GHz Powerbook 17' with a replacement display from late 2005 (showing vertical lines since 07/2007).

So, obiously the fault lies outside of the logic-board, graphics chip and other core component, right?


Best,
_costa

Nothing much to add apart from another victim.
I own a PB 17" 1,67 GHz with serial number that begins from W85.
Bought it from the U.S. on May 2005, i now live in Greece, we don't even have an apple store to attend to here...
My first blue line appeared last week and by reading all the posts here i am horrified.

Dennis thanx for your help! Since Apple doesn't seem to recognize the problem still...

Guess what---

That replacement display has that hold down post as part of its assembly, not part of the motherboard assembly.

Yes, I think that it is actually a simple problem to fix once the source has been tracked down.

When I get my display back and a new cable, I will take pictures and post instructions on what to do.

Dear Dennis,

thank you very much for this valuable information! I also have one of those defective devices.

I would so much like to gain further insight into the hardware and the design differences you are describing and I would like to ask you: Could you provide us with pictures showing the actual hardware, the design differences as well as the pinched wire?

If you would see any chance to do so, I am confident that this would help me and probably some more users much further.


Thank you and sincerely

Kay Michael Masslow

[EDIT]
Sorry, I have been too slow! Thanks in advance!
[/EDIT]

Message was edited by: Kay Michael Masslow

dennis,

i just disassembled my powerbook and checked the plastic clips: strangewise the left clip is different from the right clip. while the topmost part of the left clip resembles a [ (turn the bracket 90 degrees to the left ), the topmost part of the right clip looks more like a rectangle, while the whole clip is more rounded. the right clip has an embossed number '2' under the bottom and is more curvy, while the left one has no embossing and looks more 'cheapy'.

i made a couple of high-res images. if you'd like to contact me, write me an email to ed.xmg@nitnatsnocred or contact me via IM: 24xxubrats (AIM) or ed.anoydnuevad@nocicrem (XMPP/jabber). you've got to read the adresses right to left (don't want to get spammed).

best,
_costa

Yea that sounds like the one.

Will email.

Ok, I have three pictures up in my .mac web gallery.

The first shows the broken wire.

The second shows the entire inverter power and control cable.

The third shows the identical hold down post that is on the other side. Fortunately that side's wire is much better shielded than on the left side.

Oops

Here is the web address

http://gallery.mac.com/wingod#gallery

Message was edited by: DennisWingo

I am glad to hear that the source of the problem may have been identified, but it poses a tricky situation. We are all clear that Apple are failing us by not addressing this problem. By locating the likely reason for the vertical lines being a design/component issue, Apple have no excuse for continuing to take this stance. That is not to say that they are going to issue a recall or repair extension as I believe they should. Affected laptop owners are now faced with a choice of potentially repairing their own machines ... Great! .... but once the necessary disassembly takes place, there is no way Apple will accept liability for that machine. We are caught between a rock and a hard place. Performing such a repair will be daunting for most and could result in creating further damage if not done correctly. Waiting for Apple to do what they should have done ages ago also holds no guarantees. I am stuck with a useless laptop, hoping Apple will take care of the issue, tempted to fix it myself, but daunted by the challenge and reluctant to pay for something that really should not be my responsibility. Come on Apple, these machines may gradually be becoming a piece of history, but there are many of us who feel incredibly let down by your stance on this issue. Other companies have accepted liability for the exact same problem on their laptops. The fact that those machines have displays from the same manufacturer only makes your reluctance to address the issue more infuriating. I have been doing my work for the last 7 months on an old Cube. Love the machine but it is hardly a powerhouse by todays standards. I can't run half of my programs at acceptable speeds and am not wealthy enough to buy a new machine and my business has suffered... my ~$2500 "quality" laptop was meant to still be working for me like a quality product should.

Not taking anything away from you posters for isolating the issue ... congratulations, it just annoys me that we are having to do the dirty work.

What part of the country are you in?

There is a really nice outfit that will repair the problem for you for about $250. www.wegenermedia.com is a very good Mac house, I have had good success with them. Call and ask for Dave in support. I spoke with him today about this. Apple will not sell the cable itself, but Wegener builds their own, and warranty's it for a year.

I did find a cable assembly that I can buy else where to do the repair myself but no one will sell just that power cable, they have to sell the cables for the Wi-Fi and the Bluetooth together with the inverter power cable. If you want that address I will give it to you after I buy mine!!

Kingmack

Do the vertical lines show up when you plug your laptop into an external monitor?

Thanks for the info. The price seems good. Unfortunately, I live in Barbados, West Indies, so I will have to visit the US or decide to pony up for the shipping. There are no lines when I plug into an external display. Thank you for the help, much appreciated.

Hi everyone, I have just joined the vertical line club on my machine, which is 24 months old. I too have been told that this is not a manufacturing problem and as my machine is out of warranty it is my responsibility to pay for repairs. I understand from the various consumer bodies that this is not the case as one should reasonably expect a purchase to be fit for purpose and in this case it clearly isn't. I strongly urge anyone with this problem who lives in the UK or Ireland to seek redress via the small claims court.

kingmack

If you have no lines when plugging into an external display you should be good to go for now. I can almost guarantee you that the wire is your problem.

Hi everyone,

I also have this problem with my Powerbook. I purchased my Powerbook in June 05, although the first lines began appearing around March 06. I had a screen replaced in May 06, and although lines appeared again within weeks, did not have another screen replaced until 14th September 07 since the first repair took 6 weeks (and I was unable to be without my PB for that long). Unfortunately, I have had more lines appear within 3 weeks of this repair, and the PB is heading back to Apple for a repair this weekend.

I've been keen to contact Apple about this problem, but have had no joy yet as far as a permanent fix. However, I have extended AppleCare which doesn't run out until June 08, so until then, it's free replacements as often as I can bear doing a 200-mile round trip in the car.

For information, I've been told the work would cost approximately 600 UKP if I was without AppleCare.

Since the PB is heading back to Apple this weekend, does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should tell the Genius (apart from the obvious)? It's clear that screen replacements only sort the problem on a temporary basis - is this cable the new fix? If so, could anyone give me some more detailed information to pass on please?

Thanks!