iMac G4 20" display is cloudy... can these be fixed?

[davidg4781]

I've been off from work for the last month (Health issues, finally getting better). I decided to get my 2003 iMac G4 20" out of storage to set it up and for a little project. There are 2 issues going on with it. And it needs a new battery.

The main one is the display is cloudy in the top left area. I didn't even realize it until I started to play Diablo II. I tried a few reboots but it's still there. It seems like it's a physical issue as opposed to a loose connector, but I could be wrong. And it's pretty big, about 5" x 3".

The other issue is the disc drive. I'm not too concerned about that since I can move files over via a USB HDD (I'm pretty sure this is possible). I did want to see if it would read my MRI results from a CD-ROM but I'll have to find another way. I'm also assuming I'd be able to buy a replacement drive somewhat easy.

I don't know how much effort I want to put into this if I can't get this display repaired. I'm guessing it'll keep growing. If I decide to get rid of this, I'll need to figure out how to wipe the drive without the use of the disc drive.

 

[srp]

Sounds like vinegar syndrome. The adhesive inside the LCD degrades chemically and causes the diffuser layer to deteriorate/separate from the LCD.

If it is vinegar syndrome, you're correct and it's just going to keep getting worse.

Maybe you can salvage a dead unit with a working display and just swap them. My understanding is that with a lot of these early LCD screens, this is their eventual fate, although I've also heard that you can just open up the LCD and scrape off/replace the diffuser layer and it will look fine again. Storing them in a relatively cool and dry place away from sunlight is supposed to help delay this.

 

[davidg4781]

Sounds like vinegar syndrome. The adhesive inside the LCD degrades chemically and causes the diffuser layer to deteriorate/separate from the LCD.

If it is vinegar syndrome, you're correct and it's just going to keep getting worse.

Maybe you can salvage a dead unit with a working display and just swap them. My understanding is that with a lot of these early LCD screens, this is their eventual fate, although I've also heard that you can just open up the LCD and scrape off/replace the diffuser layer and it will look fine again. Storing them in a relatively cool and dry place away from sunlight is supposed to help delay this.

Yeah,I learned that after more digging around on Google and Reddit. I ddi see where some are replacing the entire screen with a modern one and they're still able to use the arm properly. I'm not sure what I'll want to do. It's a nice machine but since I want it more for the nostalgic factor, swapping in a modern screen kind of defeats that purpose. I also have no real ties to this machine other than I picked it up from someone in Houston and then pretty much stuck it in storage a year later.

I'll probably try to sell it/give it away to someone locally in Texas. But once it's gone, I doubt I'll ever find another. Unless anyone here has better idea.