Uh oh, the backlight on my MBP has problems!

April 13, 2008 4:17 PM

Help! The backlight on my Macbook Pro has problems! Diagnosis and advice greatly appreciated! [picture included]

After a flight today, I found the backlight of my MBP to have developed vertical stripes/bands. For reference, it's a MBP with the LED backlight.

Picy

Any ideas what happened? I've shut it down and reboot to no avail. So is this terminal?

Now, I'm looking into bringing it up to the Apple Store in London (I have Applecare for it), but I'm not sure of several things:

(a) I really need the laptop for the next week or so. Do you guys reckon/have experience of this sort of hardware repair be done quickly/on the day?

(b) For something as big as the screen, do Apple usually replace the laptop entirely, or just repair it? I need to know if the data on my HDD is going to be gone.

posted by dragontail to computers & internet (6 comments total)

a. If you can't risk not having your laptop for a week, then make due with the shitty screen for a week.

b. There is always a chance with even minor repairs that Apple will fuck up your hard drive. So back it up first no matter what. (Which moots that question.)
posted by 1 at 4:39 PM on April 13, 2008

First, that looks like a failing backlight, which is part of the LCD panel assembly itself. Slim chance it's a power inverter board, but I've seen weirder.

Second:

Never take your computer to a repair shop without backing up your stuff first. Did I say never? I meant never.^[1]

There's probably nothing that will happen to your data/drive, but you can't know that for sure. The general policy is that if they find something wrong with any part of the unit during repair that is covered by the repair (either via warranty or the repair fee), they will address it. The idea behind this is that once they are aware of a problem, they won't ignore it and release it back to the customer unresolved. While you aren't aware of a problem with your drive, if the universe decides to fuck with you and a problem surfaces while the unit is at the repair shop or depot, you want to be prepared.

You're probably safe, but don't give your rig to anyone without backing up. You are the only person responsible for your data in this world.

As for #1, the return time is pretty hard to pinpoint. If the repair shop has to replace a part on-site, turnaround time will depends on how quickly they get the part and how backed-up they are. Apple's Global Service Exchange tends to get parts to repair shops overnight. If your backlight is failing, they may replace the LCD panel, or they may order a brand-new display clamshell assembly (the entire display). It really depends on the parts pipeline—turnaround time is ultimately linked to the availability of the hardest-to-get part—and what'll get the job done most quickly and most economically.

If they decide they need to dispatch the unit to one of their repair depots, they will quote you 7-10 business days. In my days dealing with Apple Service, I've had the experience of it usually being 3-7 business days, but they aren't going to tell you that and risk it looking like bullshit when it takes 9 days.

[1] n e v e r
posted by Mikey-San at 4:48 PM on April 13, 2008

There is always a chance with even minor repairs that Apple will fuck up your hard drive. something unforseen or outside of anyone's control will happen.

There, I fixed that to be more accurate, less presumptive, and more reasonably worded.

I used to work in an Apple repair depot, and it really bothers me when people don't think things through before pulling the whistle on the I'm-better-than-they-are hate train.
posted by Mikey-San at 4:57 PM on April 13, 2008

This is apparently a common problem with some of the newer MBPs. I think there's a good chance Apple will just give you a new laptop (and hopefully transfer your data for you). Check this out: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=457156
posted by meta_eli at 7:47 PM on April 13, 2008

Everyone here is right. Some are just more polite about it. I've had my MBP (older version, not LCD backlit) in for Apple repair twice. Never lost data, but I never let go of the machine without a backup! The repair workorder you sign disclaims all responsibility unless you ask for (and probably pay for) data transfer. To the credit of each of the two Geniuses (Genii?) I worked with, the first question out of their mouths when they knew they'd have to send it in was "Have you backed up your hard drive?"

The most recent of the two repairs I had done could have been done in-store, but they said there was about 10 days of work ahead of me, and it would be (and was!) faster to send it to the depot (it also saved me a drive to the store to pick up the MBP). I would never expect same-day repairs for any but the simplest of difficulties.
posted by lhauser at 8:37 PM on April 13, 2008

Alright, thanks guys. The repair doesn't look like it'll be quick, so I think I'll wait out the week and then contact Apple support.
posted by dragontail at 7:20 AM on April 14, 2008