iBook screen doesn't work at certain angles

[livingfortoday]

My mom's iBook G3 has recently started doing this thing where its screen goes dark if you bend it back far enough. Right now the furthest I can open it is so it's at a bit over a 90 degree angle, or else it'll go dark. Does anyone know what could be causing this? It's spent most of its life on a desk, and has never been dropped or anything, so I don't think that anything could have broken.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[applefan1997]

The screen cables are pinched while being opened, it was a defect in the heat grilll where the hinges are. Get new cables, and replace the grill or use the iBook without it.

 

[Yoyodyne]

This was common a few years ago, mostly on G3 iBooks but also early G4 models. I think it is the reed switch. See this link. The most common effect was a screen blacking out when opened past 90 degrees.

 

[Macfanatic867]

Actually, when my parent's ibook did that it was a faulty reed switch that had been pinched too tightly. There was no need to get new display cables. Just a 30 dollar or so reed switch. Now you have to be able to take the entire ibook apart, which with the help of www.pbfixit.com it wasn't soo bad.

 

[mac000]

you know what ??? things BREAK and they are meant to be replaced!

tell your mom to get a MacBook BC they are the new serious hotness!

 

[Yoyodyne]

you know what ??? things BREAK and they are meant to be replaced!

tell your mom to get a MacBook BC they are the new serious hotness!

Spoken like a true retail associate. Really, it was a flaw in the design and she's lucky it lasted that long. Considering the QC issues with Apple's current portables, if you or someone else is handy with laptops, I would try the cheap replacement. It would be time for an upgrade for most people, but not for the casual internet surfer, etc.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

you know what ??? things BREAK and they are meant to be replaced!

tell your mom to get a MacBook BC they are the new serious hotness!

MacBook - No way...
iBook G4 - Smart choice

 

[livingfortoday]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll look around for a reed switch for it. I've replaced one on a G3 iBook before, so it shouldn't be too hard.

 

[mac000]

MacBook - No way...
iBook G4 - Smart choice

HAHA your sense of humor is just too much please, ohh gosh let me catch my breath,

ok. there, for a second i thought you thought getting a iBookG4 was a better idea then getting a MacBook. Phew, ohh gosh what a crazy minute there. i gotta go wipe my forehead. ohh man!

 

[BlizzardBomb]

HAHA your sense of humor is just too much please, ohh gosh let me catch my breath,

ok. there, for a second i thought you thought getting a iBookG4 was a better idea then getting a MacBook. Phew, ohh gosh what a crazy minute there. i gotta go wipe my forehead. ohh man!

Umm... why would someone want to fork out over $1000 for a laptop with such light uses?