How do I fix my Macbook's dark screen?
September 20, 2009 6:01 PM Subscribe
The screen of my Macbook has gone mostly dark. Is there anything I can try at home to fix it? Who in NYC (other than the Apple Store) could I go to?
OK, so I have a three-year-old Macbook (specs in leftmost column here; running Tiger OS).
A few weeks ago, the screen went dark. I might have closed the clamshell while a video was running, but I'm not sure. If I shine a very bright light on it and zoom in, I can make out enough to do some basic tasks. So the screen is dark but not dead. Everything else (Mail, iTunes, Safari, etc.) seems to work just fine.
Is there anything I can try at home? I already tried deleting the sleepimage and Extensions.mkext files, based on a blog post I found, and that didn't work. I tried booting the computer off a bootable backup, and while everything else worked, the screen was still dark. I tried connecting to an external monitor, and the monitor didn't seem to notice my computer. When I emailed a screenshot to another computer, the screenshot looked normal.
I took it to the local Apple Store, and they said the inverter might need replacing. A few days later, they said replacing the inverter didn't work, and the logic board might be the problem. Since I have so lilttle cash right now, I brought the laptop back home for further internet research.
If the logic board wasn't working, wouldn't there be other problems with the computer? It looks like the display is the only problem. Besides, based on random internet message boards, it looks like Apple is usually too quick to blame the logic board, even if that clearly isn't the problem.
If I have to, I'd be willing to drive my laptop over to NYC. Is there someone who you would recommend I go to?
I'm sure I'm missing something, but this has been one of several problems I've had to deal with this month, and right now I'm having the hardest time focusing on just one issue. Thanks in advance, everyone!
OK, so I have a three-year-old Macbook (specs in leftmost column here; running Tiger OS).
A few weeks ago, the screen went dark. I might have closed the clamshell while a video was running, but I'm not sure. If I shine a very bright light on it and zoom in, I can make out enough to do some basic tasks. So the screen is dark but not dead. Everything else (Mail, iTunes, Safari, etc.) seems to work just fine.
Is there anything I can try at home? I already tried deleting the sleepimage and Extensions.mkext files, based on a blog post I found, and that didn't work. I tried booting the computer off a bootable backup, and while everything else worked, the screen was still dark. I tried connecting to an external monitor, and the monitor didn't seem to notice my computer. When I emailed a screenshot to another computer, the screenshot looked normal.
I took it to the local Apple Store, and they said the inverter might need replacing. A few days later, they said replacing the inverter didn't work, and the logic board might be the problem. Since I have so lilttle cash right now, I brought the laptop back home for further internet research.
If the logic board wasn't working, wouldn't there be other problems with the computer? It looks like the display is the only problem. Besides, based on random internet message boards, it looks like Apple is usually too quick to blame the logic board, even if that clearly isn't the problem.
If I have to, I'd be willing to drive my laptop over to NYC. Is there someone who you would recommend I go to?
I'm sure I'm missing something, but this has been one of several problems I've had to deal with this month, and right now I'm having the hardest time focusing on just one issue. Thanks in advance, everyone!
I tried booting the computer off a bootable backup, and while everything else worked, the screen was still dark.
Reset your PRAM, and then do that again. If, even with fresh PRAM and a different boot disk, your screen is still unlit, then it's for certain a hardware problem, at least.
Usual causes for a black screen: a burnt-out backlight, fried power inverter (tiny circuit) or a crimped cable pinched in the hinge. If they looked at it already, and there there's no magic-wiggling angle at which the light does come on for a moment, you can eliminate the inverter and probably eliminate the crimping too. I have to think they tested for a burned out backlight, but who knows.
And no, a "failed logic board" could fail in just one certain way, because when they say that, they almost always mean that one tiny component in one dark corner is dead and needs replacing. But Apple (like most modern manufacturers) doesn't even bother to isolate and fix anything by soldering individual components anymore. They don't even stock replacement components, just entire motherboards, so that's what they replace. It's more cost/inventory effective for them that way, even if they're often replacing a $400 motherboard because of a four cent resistor most of the time.
Not great news, since you've tried already, but compared to your average shady electronics shop, the Apple Store is probably the least likely to rip you off: they have no real incentive to do so.
posted by rokusan at 6:16 PM on September 20, 2009
Reset your PRAM, and then do that again. If, even with fresh PRAM and a different boot disk, your screen is still unlit, then it's for certain a hardware problem, at least.
Usual causes for a black screen: a burnt-out backlight, fried power inverter (tiny circuit) or a crimped cable pinched in the hinge. If they looked at it already, and there there's no magic-wiggling angle at which the light does come on for a moment, you can eliminate the inverter and probably eliminate the crimping too. I have to think they tested for a burned out backlight, but who knows.
And no, a "failed logic board" could fail in just one certain way, because when they say that, they almost always mean that one tiny component in one dark corner is dead and needs replacing. But Apple (like most modern manufacturers) doesn't even bother to isolate and fix anything by soldering individual components anymore. They don't even stock replacement components, just entire motherboards, so that's what they replace. It's more cost/inventory effective for them that way, even if they're often replacing a $400 motherboard because of a four cent resistor most of the time.
Not great news, since you've tried already, but compared to your average shady electronics shop, the Apple Store is probably the least likely to rip you off: they have no real incentive to do so.
posted by rokusan at 6:16 PM on September 20, 2009
i used tekserve before the apple store came to new york and would recommend it. http://www.tekserve.com/
posted by thinkingwoman at 6:24 PM on September 20, 2009
posted by thinkingwoman at 6:24 PM on September 20, 2009
Response by poster: Oh no. Resetting the SMC didn't work. Resetting the PRAM and then booting off the bootable backup didn't work. There's no magic wiggling angle that works. I'm still hoping (probably foolishly) that someone'll have a solution that magically works, but it's not looking good.
posted by larkin123 at 6:52 PM on September 20, 2009
posted by larkin123 at 6:52 PM on September 20, 2009
Did you repair disk permissions after deleting the .mkext files?
posted by bonobothegreat at 7:02 PM on September 20, 2009
posted by bonobothegreat at 7:02 PM on September 20, 2009
I've had positive service experiences with both Tekserve and Digital Society
posted by kid_dynamite at 7:02 PM on September 20, 2009
posted by kid_dynamite at 7:02 PM on September 20, 2009
Sounds to me like a backlight bulb (I've had this happen twice.) If they checked the inverter, I can't imagine that (or a simple crimped wire) was the problem. I'm really surprised they didn't take an explicit look the backlight, though. Maybe ask the Apple store whether they've ruled it out, or perhaps take it to one of the better local stores suggested above? I mean, motherboard issues are certainly possible, but backlight is definitely something to rule out first. I've had mixed experiences with Apple Store and Apple repair folk (rather like computer repair folk in general): sometimes they are awesome, and sometimes I really obviously know much more than they do, and they miss really obvious things like checking your backlight.
If your computer is out of warranty, it's do-able to swap out screen components yourself, buying replacements off of eBay (or finding them elsewhere.) It's finicky, and I don't suggest doing it in the middle of an ill-lit party, as I did, but if you've got a steady hand and some confidence in taking computers apart, it might end up being quicker as a diagnostic test than ferrying it back and forth to unresponsive Apple store people. There are very clear instructions for almost every model imaginable online.
posted by ubersturm at 7:04 PM on September 20, 2009
If your computer is out of warranty, it's do-able to swap out screen components yourself, buying replacements off of eBay (or finding them elsewhere.) It's finicky, and I don't suggest doing it in the middle of an ill-lit party, as I did, but if you've got a steady hand and some confidence in taking computers apart, it might end up being quicker as a diagnostic test than ferrying it back and forth to unresponsive Apple store people. There are very clear instructions for almost every model imaginable online.
posted by ubersturm at 7:04 PM on September 20, 2009
I've heard good things about The Mac Support Store in Brooklyn.
posted by knowles at 12:32 AM on September 21, 2009
posted by knowles at 12:32 AM on September 21, 2009
No the bulb will most likely outlive you. It is the inverter board. And will cost you a couple of hundred to repair, including labor. FYI Check to be sure you do not have AppleCare. some systems, especially those purchased through schools came bundled. You can go to the Apple site and punch in your serial number.
posted by Gungho at 6:10 AM on September 21, 2009
posted by Gungho at 6:10 AM on September 21, 2009
Apple sometimes has super-secret repair programs for out-of-warranty computers... my late iMac qualified (bad capacitors) even though I was not the original owner and it was over 5 years old. The programs are not publicized, I found out by reading the forums at Apple.com and then following some links. I also had a dim screen with a different Apple monitor and discovered that there had been a secret repair program for it as well. Sadly, you must learn about these programs yourself. Apple does not send out announcements. Google macbook+screen repair and see what comes up.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:26 AM on September 21, 2009
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:26 AM on September 21, 2009
You've ruled out software so it's either the Logic Board (MLB), Inverter Board, or LCD Panel. They already replaced/ruled out the inverter. It's definitely either the MLB or LCD. Only way to find out is to replace one and see if it works. Our shop is sort of unconventional so while we would not charge you for the part or labor if the repair didn't fix the problem I dunno if other repair shops would do the same.
Sadly there is nothing else you can do to help diagnose the problem, it's time to throw a part or two at it.
posted by J-Garr at 8:56 AM on September 21, 2009
Sadly there is nothing else you can do to help diagnose the problem, it's time to throw a part or two at it.
posted by J-Garr at 8:56 AM on September 21, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks to everyone who responded. I had to put this on hold temporarily, because other problems cropped up. When I finally get a chance to fix my Macbook, I'm sure your advice will be really helpful.
posted by larkin123 at 8:11 AM on October 9, 2009
posted by larkin123 at 8:11 AM on October 9, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Occasionally the issue can also be the power management component of the video card or machine (the SMC, in the case of Macintoshes). Likely your Apple Store reset the SMC as an easy first step -- but do it yourself to be sure.
Suggesting replacing an entire logic board without first testing with a known good LCD unit is poor form -- I would double check with the local Apple Store that they tried a known good LCD with the unit.
So -- Its either inveter, bulb, cabling, smc, video card, or logic board. The smc can be reset via software. If any of the last three fail, the logic board would need to be replaced obviously.
posted by SirStan at 6:11 PM on September 20, 2009