Apple MessagePad 120 - Black Screen

[Ih8reno]

I recently picked up a MessagePad 120 and once I put in batteries and power it up the whole screen goes black. I’ve tried using the contrast control on the side. I also changed the clock battery and held the reset button. When I tough the icons on the bottom with the stylus I hear the MessagePad functions. Is there anything else I can do?

 

[MacTech68]

Since the reset button appears to be a carbon pad type, it's possible the reset isn't functioning (think of all those remote controls with hard to work buttons). There is a rubber button with the carbon pad at one end that covers the contacts. You should be able to clean both the contacts and the pad on the end of the rubber button with a little bit of isopropyl alcohol.

Also, since there is a "Power Manager Reset", I'd be removing all batteries overnight, re-installing them in the morning, waiting a minute or two, then pressing the reset and then power on. Is the 2032 coin battery new?

Otherwise, the contrast circuit or LCD module may be faulty - but I think that would be fairly obvious.

Also, there appears to be a few 'gotchas' if this unit has ever been disassembled.

Nice disassembly walk-through:

https://www.pda-soft.de/120_disassemble.html

Take note of the connector. cable, and brace marked as 'g' at the above URL. This COULD be the contrast control (unless anybody knows otherwise). UPDATE This appears to be the digitizer cable. DO NOT use any chemicals to clean this one. It looks like silver or carbon tracks painted on clear thin plastic. Ensure the metal bracket is fitted correctly with the bump facing the board.

EDIT, try removing & re-seating the display cable - the large, flat, orange cable.


Any Newton experts out there ?