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Horizontal Lines in New Powerbooks
- Thread starter VisualForces
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ugh, still gots them lines. the guy who did it said we'll keep declaring the part DOA until they send a decent one. so at least i've got someone on my side who's willing to attach a new screen to my PB twice a week!! 
Sic said:ugh, still gots them lines. the guy who did it said we'll keep declaring the part DOA until they send a decent one. so at least i've got someone on my side who's willing to attach a new screen to my PB twice a week!!
Just got an update from Houston: "repair on hold, pending receipt of a needed part." I guess I'm pretty hopeful that this will work out, considering that they surely have a few of the old 15" highres screens on hand.
In for repair
Hey guys.
I got my powerbook in November and after waiting patiently for a software fix (and to finish my dissertation) it is pretty clear it's a hardware problem, so time to send it in for repair. I just spoke to Apple support and they are now recognising the problem. The guys who had sent their powerbooks in early on and received it back with the same problem were not in fact receiving replacement displays, but replacement units, hence the same problem.
THey have assured me they now have a supply of new displays without the horizontal line problem, and my box will arrive tomorrow to send it back. So fingers crossed in about a week, I will be able to tell you I am using my shiny powerbook sans lines
Hopefully...
Hey guys.
I got my powerbook in November and after waiting patiently for a software fix (and to finish my dissertation) it is pretty clear it's a hardware problem, so time to send it in for repair. I just spoke to Apple support and they are now recognising the problem. The guys who had sent their powerbooks in early on and received it back with the same problem were not in fact receiving replacement displays, but replacement units, hence the same problem.
THey have assured me they now have a supply of new displays without the horizontal line problem, and my box will arrive tomorrow to send it back. So fingers crossed in about a week, I will be able to tell you I am using my shiny powerbook sans lines
Hopefully...
Good news midnight-man. Looks like people is getting the same answer as you, so we could consider that the problem is in track to solve (this is correct in english??). We all have our fingers crossed. Good luck.midnight-man said:Hey guys.
I got my powerbook in November and after waiting patiently for a software fix (and to finish my dissertation) it is pretty clear it's a hardware problem, so time to send it in for repair. I just spoke to Apple support and they are now recognising the problem. The guys who had sent their powerbooks in early on and received it back with the same problem were not in fact receiving replacement displays, but replacement units, hence the same problem.
THey have assured me they now have a supply of new displays without the horizontal line problem, and my box will arrive tomorrow to send it back. So fingers crossed in about a week, I will be able to tell you I am using my shiny powerbook sans lines
Hopefully...
still not convinced
A friend of mine bought a new PB 15 in mid January, and it still had the screen lines, so to me the problem is still not solved.
Midnight-man, I hope you meet with better luck than I did a few weeks ago. I sent it back twice after hearing the same thing as you about real replacements. The second time my PB DID come back with a new, different part number display, but the lines were still there. I've given up for the time being, and aside from a few random incidents, I haven't heard of people actually getting good replacement displays yet, different part number and all.
Please let us know if your story comes out different. And for everyone else, am I right in assuming good displays aren't around yet? Has anyone gotten a good one back? If you did, what was your story and the screen part number?
A friend of mine bought a new PB 15 in mid January, and it still had the screen lines, so to me the problem is still not solved.
Midnight-man, I hope you meet with better luck than I did a few weeks ago. I sent it back twice after hearing the same thing as you about real replacements. The second time my PB DID come back with a new, different part number display, but the lines were still there. I've given up for the time being, and aside from a few random incidents, I haven't heard of people actually getting good replacement displays yet, different part number and all.
Please let us know if your story comes out different. And for everyone else, am I right in assuming good displays aren't around yet? Has anyone gotten a good one back? If you did, what was your story and the screen part number?
Chrispy said:
Yes.
I received a new 15" last Thursday as a replacement for my TiBook under AppleCare, and my screen exhibits the lines, which the 'desktopsplit.png' image illustrates beautifully (I forget who posted it, but it's the perfect image to highlight the issue. thanks!
)I spoke to Apple on the phone this morning, and they're arranging to have it picked up and shipped to Amsys to have it diagnosed and repaired, or the PowerBook replaced if needs be.
Ironic really... every year, for 3 years my TiBook had to be returned for new screens, logic boards, SuperDrives and on the last day of it's AppleCare warranty Apple agree to resolve my problems by sending me a new PowerBook and what happens... yep... it's faulty.
iGav said:Yes.
I received a new 15" last Thursday as a replacement for my TiBook under AppleCare, and my screen exhibits the lines, which the 'desktopsplit.png' image illustrates beautifully (I forget who posted it, but it's the perfect image to highlight the issue. thanks!
I spoke to Apple on the phone this morning, and they're arranging to have it picked up and shipped to Amsys to have it diagnosed and repaired, or the PowerBook replaced if needs be.
Ironic really... every year, for 3 years my TiBook had to be returned for new screens, logic boards, SuperDrives and on the last day of it's AppleCare warranty Apple agree to resolve my problems by sending me a new PowerBook and what happens... yep... it's faulty.
All you can say is thank f**k for AppleCare
Good luck with your new machine.. I lost hope and sent mine back for a refund and got the intel mac instead...MacRumorUser said:All you can say is thank f**k for AppleCare
Damn right fella... to quote AMEX... 'Don't leave home without it'.
To be fair to Apple, they've handled my issues really well this time.
Though that doesn't excuse them selling, and continuing to sell massively flawed machines when they have knowledge of the problem.
MacRumorUser said:
Cheers mate, I've got a feeling they'll just replace the screen, though I'll be leaving strict instructions for them to check the screen with the 'desktopsplit.png' before they send it back, otherwise they're wasting their time, and if they can't repair it, then they'll have to dispatch a MacBook Pro. The screen as it is, is essentially useless for design.
No more lines
My powerbook returned to me today, line-free. I've tried all the test images, and every single one checks out. The screen in flawless. The tech report came back with "646-0324 DSPL,15.2,WXGA++,SAMSUNG,Q16C" as what was replaced. Looks like we did it, folks. Score this one for constant consumer pressure. I hope this fix is disseminated worldwide (saludos, luke23)
My powerbook returned to me today, line-free. I've tried all the test images, and every single one checks out. The screen in flawless. The tech report came back with "646-0324 DSPL,15.2,WXGA++,SAMSUNG,Q16C" as what was replaced. Looks like we did it, folks. Score this one for constant consumer pressure. I hope this fix is disseminated worldwide (saludos, luke23)
marmot25 said:My powerbook returned to me today, line-free. I've tried all the test images, and every single one checks out. The screen in flawless. The tech report came back with "646-0324 DSPL,15.2,WXGA++,SAMSUNG,Q16C" as what was replaced. Looks like we did it, folks. Score this one for constant consumer pressure. I hope this fix is disseminated worldwide (saludos, luke23)
OK, this is interesting. My powerbook screen was replaced a week ago with a screen P/N of 646-0267, DSPL 15.2 WXGA++SAMSUNG,Q16C. Slightly different P/N and it WASN'T fixed. So based on the P/N's I've collected, let me see if I've got this right.
Original Powerbook Hi-res screen P/N - 661-3749
BAD Samsung replacement screen P/N - 646-0267 - my experience
GOOD Samsun replacement screen P/N - 646-0324 - Marmot's experience
Let's start a record of this for everyone who starts getting replacement screens back. Should I add any other P/N's to this list from other experiences? Perhaps we're on our way. Let's keep this thread going folks!
calling VisualForces
Visual, where are you in all this? You seemed to have had one of the most extensive experiences, but have since fallen off. Did you get a refund?
Visual, where are you in all this? You seemed to have had one of the most extensive experiences, but have since fallen off. Did you get a refund?
How to get your 15" Powerbook screen fixed for REAL
Howdy again everybody,
I posted a few weeks ago that I was biting the bullet and ordered a brand new 15" Powerbook HR (HR for High-Res display). Anyhow, long story short - though I just bought it, it was built in mid-October 2005 (I used the Coconut IdentityCard app) - and it has the horizontal line display issue/defect. I am completely determined to have this fixed, and fixed right - the first time. It's getting sent off to Apple tomorrow.
I've been inspired by a blog that was mentioned on an Apple Support forum thread. It can be found here. In a similar way, I am documenting the entire experience, complete with details of my service order, on my blog page...
Here.
Please check them both out and read up. After I've successfully gotten the display issue resolved, I think the word will need to get out.
Thanks,
Keith
Howdy again everybody,
I posted a few weeks ago that I was biting the bullet and ordered a brand new 15" Powerbook HR (HR for High-Res display). Anyhow, long story short - though I just bought it, it was built in mid-October 2005 (I used the Coconut IdentityCard app) - and it has the horizontal line display issue/defect. I am completely determined to have this fixed, and fixed right - the first time. It's getting sent off to Apple tomorrow.
I've been inspired by a blog that was mentioned on an Apple Support forum thread. It can be found here. In a similar way, I am documenting the entire experience, complete with details of my service order, on my blog page...
Here.
Please check them both out and read up. After I've successfully gotten the display issue resolved, I think the word will need to get out.
Thanks,
Keith
Been following this thread for a long time.
Bought and returned a lined 15" early on and
have been waiting for confirmed reports of
good screens...
Well, I couldn't wait any longer, so I ended
up buying a NOS rev. D 15" off ebay. It's pretty sweet,
and I actually prefer the lower resolution
as the rev. E hurt my eyes, either due to
the higher resolution=small text or the horizontal lines.
I'm a little bummed I don't have a dual layer
burner, 7200rpm hdd, and digital audio
in mine, but at least I saved a little money
going with an older computer.
I'm pretty p.o.'d with apple on this one though.
I've missed out on several months of powerbook enjoyment
because of this issue, only to buy a computer I could
have bought a year ago. What a shame.
Oh well, going to finally put this one behind me and enjoy my new
rev. D 15"er. Just hope I don't get a memory slot failure,
but at least Apple publicly recognizes that one unlike
denying the crapiness of their 'in spec' high resolution displays.
I'm happy to hear that some people are finally getting good displays.
Good luck to all in the quest for a lineless display!
Mandoman
Bought and returned a lined 15" early on and
have been waiting for confirmed reports of
good screens...
Well, I couldn't wait any longer, so I ended
up buying a NOS rev. D 15" off ebay. It's pretty sweet,
and I actually prefer the lower resolution
as the rev. E hurt my eyes, either due to
the higher resolution=small text or the horizontal lines.
I'm a little bummed I don't have a dual layer
burner, 7200rpm hdd, and digital audio
in mine, but at least I saved a little money
going with an older computer.
I'm pretty p.o.'d with apple on this one though.
I've missed out on several months of powerbook enjoyment
because of this issue, only to buy a computer I could
have bought a year ago. What a shame.
Oh well, going to finally put this one behind me and enjoy my new
rev. D 15"er. Just hope I don't get a memory slot failure,
but at least Apple publicly recognizes that one unlike
denying the crapiness of their 'in spec' high resolution displays.
I'm happy to hear that some people are finally getting good displays.
Good luck to all in the quest for a lineless display!
Mandoman
Hey all, so I'm new here, I posted in the buying thread about Powerbooks. Basically to recap, I'm a college student and able to buy a on "Clearance" older revision of the Powerbook. Or for $100 more, I can get the current revision. So I was told by various people it's worth the extra $100 to get the new one, but now I read about the display issue. So I guess, I wanted to ask what you all felt here. If I bought one now...will it have that issue?
DSL Steve said:What display issue?
Get the new one. I tried to showed the lines to four friends at an Apple store. No one could see them. I started to get a lot of strange looks.
Get the older one and enjoy it. The High resolution ones have had many problems, such as horizontal lines, battery deaths, sound loop glitches etc.
Go for the reliable powerbook and you'll very happy. Go for the later one and you're gambling a lot more. I guess you have to decided what your time is worth. After receiving two faulty ones (battery dead, horizontal lines, sound issue, a big dent), I'm quite happy with the previous version. It's completely stable and has zero problems (now that I fixed an over-sensitive key on the keyboard). Great machine. Of course the latest intel books will be faster, but they're also missing some of the features of the last PPC powerbooks, like MODEM - what was apple thinking when they removed the built in modem on a portable laptop that will travel the world??!
Good luck
FWIW, my SO and I are both very pleased with our Rev E. PBs.
Having said that, we're both used to IBM ThinkPads, and this is our first PB. Although both of our screens show the line problem with the crankycat image, it doesn't bother our eyes or cause diarrhea. Maybe years of ThinkPads have gotten us used to subpar screens?
No battery or dent problems. Apple did replace the keyboard on my PB after the 2nd key popped off, but the service time was impressive.
As for the modem being gone [edit: referring to the MacBook Pro here], I can understand that it's useful to some, but not for me. I honestly can't think of the last time I used dial-up.
Having said that, we're both used to IBM ThinkPads, and this is our first PB. Although both of our screens show the line problem with the crankycat image, it doesn't bother our eyes or cause diarrhea. Maybe years of ThinkPads have gotten us used to subpar screens?
No battery or dent problems. Apple did replace the keyboard on my PB after the 2nd key popped off, but the service time was impressive.
As for the modem being gone [edit: referring to the MacBook Pro here], I can understand that it's useful to some, but not for me. I honestly can't think of the last time I used dial-up.
That I know.
My modem comment was in reply to PDE's question about what Apple was thinking when they decided to remove the modem from the MBP.
My modem comment was in reply to PDE's question about what Apple was thinking when they decided to remove the modem from the MBP.
A quick update on my status...
I was contemplating the MacBook Pro vs. the Powerbook a few weeks ago. I finally went down to the Apple Store in Detroit and picked up a refurbished 1.5 PowerBook for dirt cheap. I compared it to the current models while I was in the store and the screen was singing... OBVIOUSLY no line issues whatsoever. Everything was fine and dandy until I got home and realized that it didn't have the DL SuperDrive.
Ouch.
So I am going back tomorrow to buy a current gen model with the lines:sigh: because I absolutely must have the SuperDrive.
Those damn lines.
I was contemplating the MacBook Pro vs. the Powerbook a few weeks ago. I finally went down to the Apple Store in Detroit and picked up a refurbished 1.5 PowerBook for dirt cheap. I compared it to the current models while I was in the store and the screen was singing... OBVIOUSLY no line issues whatsoever. Everything was fine and dandy until I got home and realized that it didn't have the DL SuperDrive.
Ouch.
So I am going back tomorrow to buy a current gen model with the lines
:sigh: because I absolutely must have the SuperDrive.Those damn lines.
korimickster said:A quick update on my status...
I was contemplating the MacBook Pro vs. the Powerbook a few weeks ago. I finally went down to the Apple Store in Detroit and picked up a refurbished 1.5 PowerBook for dirt cheap. I compared it to the current models while I was in the store and the screen was singing... OBVIOUSLY no line issues whatsoever. Everything was fine and dandy until I got home and realized that it didn't have the DL SuperDrive.
Ouch.
So I am going back tomorrow to buy a current gen model with the lines
Those damn lines.
Does it not have a superdrive or a DL superdrive? Personally I rarely use DL disc's as they still don't represent good value for money compared to two SL discs....
Also couldn't you just buy an external drive?
I got a phone call from Amsys this morning, they've acknowledged that it's a screen issue (though the engineer said it was the first example of the lines he's seen) and I was given the option of repair or replacement.
I've chosen the repair, because I'm not convinced that even if Apple send a replacement for my replacement that the machine will be free of lines. The engineer I spoke too is of the opinion that the new screen will be from a new batch and should be free of the problems.
I've explained that I want the screen thoroughly checking before it's dispatched back to me, simply because I'll reject any screen that has the lines on it as it's essentially useless for design work.
Most impressed with the way the problems been dealt with though. Big thumbs up to Apple this time round.
Though disappointing that after having to suffer repair, after repair, after repair for 3 years on my TiBook, that the replacement machine is already in the shop after only 5 days. *sighs*
I've chosen the repair, because I'm not convinced that even if Apple send a replacement for my replacement that the machine will be free of lines. The engineer I spoke too is of the opinion that the new screen will be from a new batch and should be free of the problems.
I've explained that I want the screen thoroughly checking before it's dispatched back to me, simply because I'll reject any screen that has the lines on it as it's essentially useless for design work.
Most impressed with the way the problems been dealt with though. Big thumbs up to Apple this time round.
Though disappointing that after having to suffer repair, after repair, after repair for 3 years on my TiBook, that the replacement machine is already in the shop after only 5 days. *sighs*
MacRumorUser said:
A very good question, MacRumorUser... something I should have brought up earlier.
It has a combo drive in it right now. I need DVD capabilities because I do all of the video and sound editing for the sketch comedy show I produce, so it is a must have. Plus, the dual layer abilities are amazing. Video is SOOOO HUGE.
As for external drives, I have several of them but you can never have enough backup. I usually just throw all of my raw footage on DVDs and keep master files on the drives.