Hello everyone,
This is my first post on this site. I searched the forum but couldn't come up with something that adressed my concerns. If ever I missed something, don't hesitate to point me to the right direction.
A while ago, I got a used Macbook Pro from late 2008 (Unibody with the small "flip" mechanism on the back side) for free. The Macbook had a cracked display frame but appeared to be functional otherwise. Not too long ago I came around a used lid to replace the broken one and I attempted to repair the screen.
So far so good, the lid works out perfectly. Unfortunately the backlight seems to malfunction. I can see the laptop booting into the log-in screen but the screen itself remains dark.
Personally, I never used a Macbook before (I use Linux) but my girlfriend currently has no working Laptop and I would sure like to get it fixed somehow (she likes Macs). I am unsure where and how to continue figuring out what's wrong. I found confusing and seemingly contradictory information on the internet on this issue. So before I order any replacement parts, I would like to know, how the backlight in this model actually works, and what are the possible causes for the malfunctioning backlight (and ideally how I could make a proper diagnosis).
For example my first guess with dark screens would be the inverter module. However, I found posts on the internet stating that the late 2008 Macbook Pro, due to its LED-backlight, has no such inverter. Under the plastic cover of the screens hinges I can see what appears to be such a module though (but it actually looks more related to the wifi-antenna)...
What do I have?
- a seemingly working Macbook
- two displays (one original, one from the lid, both with no backlight)
- one display cable (the one from the replacement lid was damaged)
If I understand the internet sources correctly, these parts pretty much make up the chain of causality here. The display cable I have is not really pretty anymore, it seems to have seen some display repairs before.
Could it be that the display cable alone is the cause for my problem? I can pretty much rule out the display, as both displays work but with no backlight.
Finally, I have absolutely *zero* idea how the backlight on the Macbook Pro is actually controlled (apparently by the motherboard). But I will read up on that.
That's it for my case. In short:
- got a free but damaged Macbook
- replaced the cracked display frame with a new lid
- sceen backlight is not working
- there is no inverter or inverter cable it seems (?)
- tried a different display, didn't change things
- my only display cable seems a bit worn out
- zero idea of the backlight mechanism in the Macbook
Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance, guys! I really look forward to your advise and suggestions!
Cheers,
Simon
This is my first post on this site. I searched the forum but couldn't come up with something that adressed my concerns. If ever I missed something, don't hesitate to point me to the right direction.
A while ago, I got a used Macbook Pro from late 2008 (Unibody with the small "flip" mechanism on the back side) for free. The Macbook had a cracked display frame but appeared to be functional otherwise. Not too long ago I came around a used lid to replace the broken one and I attempted to repair the screen.
So far so good, the lid works out perfectly. Unfortunately the backlight seems to malfunction. I can see the laptop booting into the log-in screen but the screen itself remains dark.
Personally, I never used a Macbook before (I use Linux) but my girlfriend currently has no working Laptop and I would sure like to get it fixed somehow (she likes Macs). I am unsure where and how to continue figuring out what's wrong. I found confusing and seemingly contradictory information on the internet on this issue. So before I order any replacement parts, I would like to know, how the backlight in this model actually works, and what are the possible causes for the malfunctioning backlight (and ideally how I could make a proper diagnosis).
For example my first guess with dark screens would be the inverter module. However, I found posts on the internet stating that the late 2008 Macbook Pro, due to its LED-backlight, has no such inverter. Under the plastic cover of the screens hinges I can see what appears to be such a module though (but it actually looks more related to the wifi-antenna)...
What do I have?
- a seemingly working Macbook
- two displays (one original, one from the lid, both with no backlight)
- one display cable (the one from the replacement lid was damaged)
If I understand the internet sources correctly, these parts pretty much make up the chain of causality here. The display cable I have is not really pretty anymore, it seems to have seen some display repairs before.
Could it be that the display cable alone is the cause for my problem? I can pretty much rule out the display, as both displays work but with no backlight.
Finally, I have absolutely *zero* idea how the backlight on the Macbook Pro is actually controlled (apparently by the motherboard). But I will read up on that.
That's it for my case. In short:
- got a free but damaged Macbook
- replaced the cracked display frame with a new lid
- sceen backlight is not working
- there is no inverter or inverter cable it seems (?)
- tried a different display, didn't change things
- my only display cable seems a bit worn out
- zero idea of the backlight mechanism in the Macbook
Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance, guys! I really look forward to your advise and suggestions!
Cheers,
Simon