2006 Macbook screen oddities

[Rikos87]

Thing has served me well, and it's had little problems. Until recently.

I'm having the old backlight won't turn on when woken up or turned on problem. It takes a minute or so, but it's concerning. I've tried the SMC reset, the Command reset, same result. It works, but it doesn't work long term. When I wake it up or turn it on, I can see everything, just that it's dark. And the brightness keys do not work.

Considering taking it to Apple store if it's a problem that can't be fixed at home. Won't be surprised as the computer is seven years old, but this is a concern and an annoyance.

Anyone know what it might be? Thanks in advance.

 

[Brian Y]

If it flickers when you move the lid: Inverter cable ($5).

If it doesn't work at all, or you get no backlight after a while: Inverter Board ($20).

If it flashes briefly (like half a second) when you first turn it on then dies: LCD ($150).

Those are the most common scenarios, but it could always be any combination of them. I usually start cheapest up - try the cable, then the board, then the LCD.