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Horizontal Lines in New Powerbooks

Spectrum said:
Even when you tilt the screen right back and look at it from a low angle?

No wavyness at all in the oranges? I note that G4Scott still sees these wavy lines, but not the horizontal lines anymore with the new screen.
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Dang it! You ruined my bliss!! :mad: :p

ya, looking at carefully at the orange, i'm noticing the wave pattern :(
the wave lines are smaller than before. this time they look lines instead of bands...

This is truely a vexing issue...don't know if Apple is going to acknowledge this particular issue.....
 
obilix said:
Dang it! You ruined my bliss!! :mad: :p
Click to expand...

Oh, crap - maybe I should scarper pronto... :eek:

obilix said:
ya, looking at carefully at the orange, i'm noticing the wave pattern :(
the wave lines are smaller than before. this time they look lines instead of bands...
Click to expand...

Maybe they look different now that you can see them clearly without those horizontal lines in the way :D

obilix said:
This is truely a vexing issue...don't know if Apple is going to acknowledge this particular issue.....
Click to expand...

I think this may be as good as we'll ever get it... shame that inverter part didn't cure it though...
 
I suppose the third time is the charm!!!! I sent my laptop back to Apple for the third time and they replaced my screen with a Samsung part #646-0324. I'm happy to say that this fixed the issue!!! I have no more horizontal lines!!!!

WHEW. Thank you to everyone who posted the "good screen" part number. You guys were right!
 
yay!

Well done Apple.

I got mine back today after a very quick service, screen is A1. I am now extremely happy with my pb and wouldn't swap it for a macbook any day.

I can finally forget about this thread now too! Well done everybody, amazing what can be achieved with a little consumer pressure.

There is a slight wave still on the orange, but a lot milder than before, it is really not very noticable unless you angle your display and look for it specifically. THe main thing is the horizontal lines, they are gone and all is well.

Take care all :)
 
obilix said:
Dang it! You ruined my bliss!! :mad: :p

ya, looking at carefully at the orange, i'm noticing the wave pattern :(
the wave lines are smaller than before. this time they look lines instead of bands...

This is truely a vexing issue...don't know if Apple is going to acknowledge this particular issue.....
Click to expand...

These moving diagonal lines aren't that much of a problem for me, because they only appear when looking at the screen at extreme angles. Can you see the lines on yours normally? I've noticed these wavy lines on the 17" PowerBooks too, and I don't think Apple would be to keen to fix them...
 
so what exactly do I need to make my warranty valid? I live in Mexico but I'm currently residing in Quebec, so I'm wondering if I can call and give my serial number (or something) and ask for the screen to be replaced with the previously posted part..

Is is too much of a hassle or is it relatively simple to get the screen replaced?

EDIT: Oh yeah, do I have to disable front row/delete any kind of illegal movies or software before sending it in?
 
screen successfully replaced

Well, in case anyone else out there wanted additional confirmation, I too, have finally gotten a good screen replacement, same P/N 646-0324 SAMSUNG as everyone else. Hurrah! Third time is a charm. Thanks for all the support here, it was a good thread.
 
More...

So I arranged with a local service centre for them to order in a replacement based on the technical notes attached to my case number. The techs themselves were sceptical that my screen had a problem (*it most definitely DOES), but said they would look into the notes, and get back to me.

A few days later, I get a call, they have received the replacement screen, and want me to bring in my Powerbook. (I was expecting them to call me, prior to them ordering the screen...).

Just been in, and the screen they have is 661-3749. I'm pretty sure this is the ORIGINAL screen part number, with the lines! How has this happened STILL?

So, I told them I am going to talk back to Apple, and probably, after all this, send the computer in to Texas for repair.

Wish me luck that: a/ it gets the Samsung 646-0324, b/ it doesn't take a long time.
 
From this great blog entry, ... if you set your PB to use this as your wallpaper, it makes it plain as day as to whether the screen has a problem or not.

It's also a good troubleshooting tool for the tech to use before he sends your PB back to you.
 
Is there a recommended method for going about getting one of these screens replaced? I have an Apple Store 15 minutes away so I was thinking about taking it to the Genius Bar and talking to someone there. But I wasn't sure if they would be aware of the issues as much as someone on the phone.
 
Mines going back in to have the 45 degree diagonal moving lines fixed next week. :rolleyes:

Really... if this wasn't a free PowerBook, I'd be well p*ssed.
 
iGav said:
Mines going back in to have the 45 degree diagonal moving lines fixed next week. :rolleyes:
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Really? Did they tell you that is fixable also?

I have still yet to get a replacement. The tier2 rep I was assigned so long ago has stopped returning my calls/emails (I'm hoping he's just been away on vacation). And I need to travel with the machine for a conference in two weeks, so I'm waiting till after then to request a shipping box. But I'd be interested to know whether I should expect the wavy lines to be fixed as well.
 
iGav said:
Mines going back in to have the 45 degree diagonal moving lines fixed next week. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I'm curious, is the moving lines issue in Apple's support database?
otherwise, we'll let you be the guinea pig on getting this one fixed... :D ;)
 
A friend of mine is thinking of getting one of the 1.67 DL superdive refurbs off the Apple store... Anybody have recent experience with these? From the tone of this thread it sounds pretty certain that it would have the horizontal line issue, which does indeed seem like quite the hassle to fix, especially as he's thinking about making the switch to this machine.

Any thoughts?
 
aristobrat said:
From this great blog entry, ... if you set your PB to use this as your wallpaper, it makes it plain as day as to whether the screen has a problem or not.

It's also a good troubleshooting tool for the tech to use before he sends your PB back to you.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the screen, mine appears to be ok, but I notice that when I scroll the image (the image at his site down or move the window, that the image in the window flickers, and when I scroll or move the window right or left, a black bar appears temporarily in the center - is that normal, is everyone else seeing that? it appears to beat against the screen refresh. Note that I am seeing this in natural light, so no room lighting flickers are causing it.
T
 
Spectrum said:
Really? Did they tell you that is fixable also?
Click to expand...

I expect it to be... ;) it's a fault that's for sure, and an unacceptable one at that.

I certainly don't expect or will accept interference on a screen... it's guaranteed to f**k up your eye sight when you use a computer for as many hours a day as I do. :eek: that and it makes it sucky for designing. :p

Spectrum said:
whether I should expect the wavy lines to be fixed as well.
Click to expand...

Yes you should... if mine wasn't a free replacement, and I'd purchased it myself and it exhibited these issues, if they couldn't fix it... (apart from being seriously miffed) I'd expect either a full refund (it's faulty) or a replacement machine free of defects.

Actually even though mines a freebie, if they can't fix it... I expect a defect free replacement. ;)

obilix said:
I'm curious, is the moving lines issue in Apple's support database?
Click to expand...

The guy I spoke to said that he hadn't specifically heard of this problem (he was fully up to speed on the horizontal line issues though) though it's probable that not all machines are affected, or that the defect only occurs within certain operational parameters that might not register with most users. For example, I only see the lines on certain shades of colours, but not others, so many users might not have noticed them yet.

obilix said:
otherwise, we'll let you be the guinea pig on getting this one fixed...
Click to expand...

hahahaha, I don't mind.

I'll report back here once it's repaired (or not as the case may be) and let folk know. :)

But those that have this issue... and haven't yet reported it to Apple, you really should consider doing so. ;)
 
iGav said:
But those that have this issue... and haven't yet reported it to Apple, you really should consider doing so. ;)
Click to expand...

Eesh... my first laptop i have ever bought, my second mac computer
(the other is a G5 2.7Ghz) and i'm having more issues than work's
Thinkpad (for which I had none!)...

i'm getting deja vu from the time I bought the Newton 2100... :rolleyes:

Steve! Stop treating me this way!!!!! :eek:

'K...i'll put another call in...the more voices about this issue the
better chance apple will fix our stuff...
 
obilix said:
Eesh... my first laptop i have ever bought, my second mac computer (the other is a G5 2.7Ghz) and i'm having more issues than work's Thinkpad (for which I had none!)...
Click to expand...

Tell me about it... this PowerBook is a replacement for my TiBook that was having to have it's screen, logic board and superdrive replaced every year for 3 years. :(

Ironically, Apple replace it with a machine that is seemingly inherently faulty too.

Apple makes sh*t quality products. To put that comment into perspective.

My first TiBook in '01 had to have it's screen replaced a couple of times, it's CD-ROM drive replaced, the logic board replaced and the hard drive replaced all within 12 months.

My 2nd TiBook (1GHz) firstly it took Apple 3 attempts to send me one that either didn't suffer from the duff logic/graphics issues or wasn't scratched to sh*t.

In the 3 years of ownership... the final repair tally would've looked like this...

3 screens
3 logic boards
3 superdrives
2 secondary cooling fans
2 base covers

The replacement PowerBook already suffered from the horizontal line issues, and now it exhibits the diagonal moving lines interference. :rolleyes:

2 of my 4 Xserve G5's have had to be replaced, and I recently purchased a new Apple USB Keyboard, this first one they sent makes my Soundsticks and iSub crackle and pop, and the replacement one they issued does exactly the same and is being sent back this week. Yet my truly screwed 5 year old Apple Pro Keyboard still offers pristine audio playback when my Soundsticks and iSub are plugged into it.

But it's not just me... when my bro purchased his eMac back in '02, the first one they delivered went up in smoke (literally) the day it was delivered.

My friends Dual G5 was delivered with dents and gouges, her partners PowerBook was affected by the fire starting battery problem, as well as the white spot screen issue.

And the list goes on... and on... and on.

obilix said:
'K...i'll put another call in...the more voices about this issue the better chance apple will fix our stuff...
Click to expand...

Do it fella, ;) unless Apple are made aware of the problems, then they won't have the incentive to either repair, replace or even offer a repair program similar to that of the iBook logic boards and PowerBook batteries and screens.

I'll report back on how I get on with my repair this week, if they say they can't fix the problem, then I'd advised the people that purchased these PowerBooks to consider demanding a refund, or a replacement machine.

G
 
My Intel iMac did the same horizontal line thing (amongst other things) when the display adapter/display fault occured, so it was a bit trickier. Queerest part was that the distortions seemed to go away with time but broken is broken and now I'm waiting for tomorrow to get my replacement mac. :)
 
Hey Guys, I'm new to the forum and came across this topic while looking for powerbook lcd problems on google, I guess if you go looking for trouble you'll find it. I have the lines on mine too but to be honest I didn't notice them until I read they were there ( have had it for 4 months now). I called Apple to try and get the replacement screen that solves the issue but the tech said he had no idea what I was talking about so I sent him to various links about the problem, his final answer to me was that I would have to take it to an Apple store to verify there really was a problem. I am getting tired of making a 6 hour round trip because my Powerbook has problems. This is my first Apple and the first Powerbook I bought had a bad logic board so they replaced it with the newer 1440 screen one which completely died after a week so they replaced the motherboard or whatever was wrong and now I find out about this. I love Apple's software but I am seriously starting to wonder about their hardware. Anyway, hopefully I can get it fixed. I just wanted to thank everyone who is bringing problems like this to the attention of the consumers and Apple.
 
Get your replacement! don't take no for an answer!

Vagrant said:
Hey Guys, I'm new to the forum and came across this topic while looking for powerbook lcd problems on google, I guess if you go looking for trouble you'll find it. I have the lines on mine too but to be honest I didn't notice them until I read they were there ( have had it for 4 months now). I called Apple to try and get the replacement screen that solves the issue but the tech said he had no idea what I was talking about so I sent him to various links about the problem, his final answer to me was that I would have to take it to an Apple store to verify there really was a problem. I am getting tired of making a 6 hour round trip because my Powerbook has problems. This is my first Apple and the first Powerbook I bought had a bad logic board so they replaced it with the newer 1440 screen one which completely died after a week so they replaced the motherboard or whatever was wrong and now I find out about this. I love Apple's software but I am seriously starting to wonder about their hardware. Anyway, hopefully I can get it fixed. I just wanted to thank everyone who is bringing problems like this to the attention of the consumers and Apple.
Click to expand...




HEY dude... you know what, those reps are a bunch of retards. I didn't notice the lines either untill i read about it. Then i put it beside my friends 15 inch rev D power book and i couldn't believe the difference. THe difference is huge when you are salient about the issue. YOu can see the lines when you watch movies, picture don't look as crisp, and they are just annoying to have in the back ground. I called in and talked to a retarded rep and after a long discussion he gave me a case file. I took it to the apple store and talk to more retards who couldn't see the issue. The god damn tech didn't even know how to use the blue tooth file transfer when i wanted to show him the pictures that enhance the defect. In addition the f&%% tech couldn't speak much english. I told them to order the part and i would install it as i didn't trust him. Anyways.. of course he laughed and agreed to take it in. Well they replace my screen and it looks great now. It makes the biggest difference. Call in and get it replaced. The tech was a retard and the screen wasn't put in perfect. It was semi loose and i had to fix it. He also bent some of the metal but my screen looks great. Trust your gut and if you believe that the tech is a retard, just tell him you want someone else to work on it. TO all people who have this issue.. GET it fixed! don't let apple be sloppy with their hardware!
Thats my two cents....
 
omg, finally i have a lineless PB :D

i got a call from the guy at my local apple store who was sorting out my replacement screen for me (so that i didnt have to send it off and be without my computer for weeks) he swapped the screens over in 10 minutes and came back to his desk with a big smile on his face \o/

i can start taking photos and doing design work again...yay!!
 
Sic said:
omg, finally i have a lineless PB :D

i got a call from the guy at my local apple store who was sorting out my replacement screen for me (so that i didnt have to send it off and be without my computer for weeks) he swapped the screens over in 10 minutes and came back to his desk with a big smile on his face \o/

i can start taking photos and doing design work again...yay!!
Click to expand...

Congrats. I've send mine in for service too. Can't wait :)
Also the ><\ key broke
 
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