iBook G4 Displays Vertical Lines on bottom 2/3 (see pix)

Brief Overview of Problem
While I was in Sao Paulo in February, the display on my iBook went nuts: the top 1/3 is fine, if a little dim, but the bottom 2/3 is just vertical lines. So I went to an Apple repair shop here in Brazil and I was told I need the following part: LCD Panel 661-3097. However, since I am in Brazil, I don't really want to shell out a LOT of money to fix this, so I am attaching photos of my problem to see if you think my problem is something else, something CHEAPER! Or if it is the LCD, where can I get one cheap? I'm on a Brazilian's budget!

Photos & Descriptions
http://www.iid8.com/Temp/Brightness Comparison.jpg
This photo shows that the display on my laptop is dimmer than the CRT monitor I'm now using. (NOTE: CRT Display is fine, just refreshing when I took picture)

http://www.iid8.com/Temp/LCD Screen.jpg
This shows the complete LCD screen on my iBook.

http://www.iid8.com/Temp/CloseUp.jpg
This one shows a detail of the vertical lines on the bottom 2/3 of my screen

QUESTIONS
1. Do you think the LCD Display is really my problem, or could it be a relay or video cable or inverter?
2. If it IS the LCD Display, where can I find a cheap one (less than $300)

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

System
iBook G4 (14 in) 933 MHz; Mac OS X (10.3.9); 640 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive

Thanks--yeah, the monitor is plugged in and works fine. I just want to actually use my laptop for it's real purpose--surfing the web on the deck! Any more help to be had for that?

liquidtrance123 said:

not really, you could try massaging the LCD screen gently to see if it makes a difference also you can try this: (BE VERY CAREFUL) try twisting your lcd screen to see if it makes it go away, i had a problem with an old dell awhile back where the LCD cable in the laptop itself was being pinched and causing artifacts. However if those tricks dont work your probably going to be needing a new LCD.

edit: unless you fashion an LCD monitor to your ibook using the mini-vga port

Click to expand...

AliensAreFuzzy said:

It turned out to be the cable that was coming loose from the inside of the laptop. So maybe try twisting and contorting it oh-so-gently.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the ideas guys!

Massaging and contorting didn't work.... Oh, and I'm not under warranty, sadly.

Also, sometimes the bottom 2/3 is completely black (I think after a while the colored lines creep in.)

You guys have an idea how assured it is the LCD? If it's pretty certain, I'll have my parents buy an LCD right now and bring it down to Brazil to me. If it's still uncertain, I'll wait until I go back to the States in August and take it in to an authorized technician. Any help?? Thanks guys!