MacBook screen goes dark!

[Johnny Vegas]

I was just given a Macbook that has a dark display. Lowering then raising the brightness will fix it temporarily. Since I had a spare Macbook, I replaced the entire screen following ifixit's tutorial. Unfortunately it did not help, and I'm scrapping the machine, citing a bad logic board as cause of death.

 

[omri617]

Hi , sorry to bring this sad issue up
I have the same problem !
Purchasd the matching inverter and also it's cable , replaced the old ones , an no change.
The screen is still dark , though , when pressing the dimmer key to the least and then hitting 1 time on the BRIGHT , it stays luminated for 3-4 seconds , flickers a bit and unstable , then dark again .
Connected the MacBook (13.3, year 2008) to my tv and its immaculate on the t.v so it's not the graphic thing.
Help!!

UPDATE :
Problem fixed , it was the CFL Tube , Ordered from Ebay 9$ , and changed them by myself , quite tricky , but possible. Things are good again..
GoodLuck !

 

[rampancy]

UPDATE :
Problem fixed , it was the CFL Tube , Ordered from Ebay 9$ , and changed them by myself , quite tricky , but possible. Things are good again..
GoodLuck !

In my experience repairing MacBooks of this vintage, for the majority of the time it's the LCD display itself that's the root of the problem of a black screen. Typically it's because of the CCFL backlight. I've heard that it's possible to order the backlight and replace it (as you've done), but I admit that's beyond my capability at the moment.

It's also worth noting that the socket connecting the inverter cable to the motherboard is also very delicate (especially on the pre-Santa Rosa/Penryn models), so weakening the connection there is also possible. This was ultimately the cause of my black screen woes, so I fixed a small piece of thick foam to the top of the connector, so that pressure from above (from the top case) would ensure a secure connection.

 

[noisyastronomer]

Hey, everyone. Forum n00b here. My April 2009 MacBook just got the screen darkening issue as well. Thanks for the brightness up/down trick, that helps for a few minutes!

Right now I'm using it with an external monitor (which used to be my second monitor) and that is fine for home use. I'll need portability for my next work trip. Thankfully, that's not til January, so I have some time to try the DIY suggestions you all have before I have to break down and spend real money on repairs or a new laptop.

Nearest Apple Store is 45 minutes away... so not prohibitive but it's not next door. I like DIY projects anyway... so if anyone has updates or tips of helpful links, I'd appreciate them! Thanks.

 

[Lumoxy]

I have been searching for months for a solution to my mac book 2008 ish laptop screen going black. At first I needed to dim the screen by pushing F1 until it was black then lighten it to use again. Very annoying. I tried many other things but I just replaced the Thermal paste on the processor and video card. I watched a youtube video on replacing thermal paste and attempted this. It took 15 min!!!
The thermal paste was $2!!! Working like a champ! If you try this you will find that when you remove your fan it will need to be cleaned it will have alot of dust clogging the vent. The video card was overheating and screen goes black. Before I tried this I replaced the screen cable as well as the little chip in the screen to no avail. This $2 fix has it working. Try this first!

Has anyone else tried this, having the same problem with my old laptop, also was thinking about removing the screen and just having an external monitor, but some of the WIFI receivers are in the screen so this would make the wifi awful. Has anyone tried this??

 

[trevm999]

Has anyone else tried this, having the same problem with my old laptop, also was thinking about removing the screen and just having an external monitor, but some of the WIFI receivers are in the screen so this would make the wifi awful. Has anyone tried this??

I have found that a lot of the older MacBooks I see benefit from replacing the thermal paste, but that solution won't necessarily fix your problem. Download a temperature monitor software to see if your macbook is overheating, or running the Apple Hardware Test might show you, but I find the results are more accurate when you can can see the temperatures under normal use, but significant overheating should be found in the AHT.

As for taking the whole display assembly off, I suppose you could try and reroute the antenna on the out side of your bottom case, don't know how well that would work though, but you could give it a try.

 

[noisyastronomer]

Update...

Update: It seems (though I haven't tested it very thoroughly) that it blacks out less often when the brightness is turned low as opposed to being set to the highest. In any case the brightness down/up trick still works, for the most part.

I took apart the top to poke around and decided to order a new inverter and cable assembly and replace that first. It's a $13 part on eBay, so I'm not losing much if it doesn't work. I didn't go through this whole process, but this looks to be a good way to replace the inverter: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Core+2+Duo+Inverter+Replacement/1497

Taking the clutch cover off without removing the display is a serious pain, so lesson learned.

 

[WildCard^]

yeah, I recently replaced an inverter cable on an MB2008. It was the hardest computer troubleshoot I have done in my life, and I've been in the biz for a while.

I did it once, got it together, and it wouldn't even power. I was so depressed, thought I shorted something. I spent a lot of time doing it the first time.

Second time I went in, more relaxed and determined. I kept it open as I troubleshot. I put the old cable back on, booted but blinked. Tried the new cable again thinking it was possibly bad. I think I might have not connected it to the logic board completely, because it clicked much more solid the last time. Booted, yay. Got it back together, and it works like a charm.

Most people recommend replacing both the inverter and board at the same time. I had gut feeling it was the cable and was right. Oddly the cable was not at all crimped or shorted, as some people report. Looking at it, it looked like a new cable.

If you do the inverter cable replacement, follow iFixit, and save/document all your screws on a large flat magnet. There were about 25 screws when all was done, and about 10 different styles/lengths.

Now that I have been in it so deeply, I would have no problem or fear doing anything in a Macbook. Was a good experience once I got past the fear of having destroyed mine.

-WC

 

[MaxVFR]

Thought I'd share my experience...

Have an early 2009 Macbook. After five years of ownership, the screen suddenly went dark but I could still make out the screen image. Turning the brightness down all the way, then turning it up again brought the brightness back to normal for a while. But the screen would go dark again suddenly and I'd have to fiddle with the brightness again. This became more frequent over a week until this finagling wouldn't work anymore.

The problem turned out to be a failing backlight. The CCFL backlight is embedded at the bottom of the screen and adjustment of its intensity controls the brightness of the screen. The part can be acquired from online retailers or ebay. I found ebay to be the cheapest place, the bulb+shipping was $13 (compared to $30 from an e-tailer). It was not quite Apple quality--the wires were a bit thicker and the rubber fittings were not exactly the same shape, but it works fine.

The replacement of the bulb is the most challenging repair you can do to the MacBook. You not only have to remove the screen (challenging, but doable), but you have to open the screen, replace the delicate bulb without breaking it, and put everything back together. It took at least 4 hours, plus I had to order a second bulb when I broke the first. It is highly recommended you buy two bulbs if you plan to fix this yourself. For most people, simply replacing the LCD screen ($80) is probably the safest, easiest option and what I would recommend.

Excellent instructions to remove/replace the LCD are located on ifixit. However, there are no instructions to replace the backlight bulb. Here's a quick list of instructions from memory.
1. After removing the LCD, at the bottom of the screen, lift up the tape holding the panel that runs the length of the screen. Be careful not to twist the delicate metal panel.

2. Remove the two screws holding the metal panel to the screen. The metal panel should pull straight out, do not try to pry it or you will bend it and have a difficult time reinstalling everything. Notice how it was installed. Take a picture before removing it.

3.Remove the CCFL bulb, the metal "pocket" for the bulb and the plastic thing. Notice how everything is put together. Take a picture before you pull it apart.

4. Remove the old bulb and notice carefully how it is installed in the metal pocket and how the wires wrap around the plastic piece.. Put the new bulb in and wrap the wires around the plastic piece. Carefully put everything back into the base of the screen, plastic piece goes first. Be gentle as the bulb is more delicate than it looks. You shouldn't have to use much force if you've assembled it correctly. If you find things are not fitting together, consider whether you are assembling it correctly.

5. Put the metal panel on correctly and tighten the screws.

6. Follow the fixit instructions in reverse to reinstall the LCD.

Unfortunately, there's no way to test if this works until you button the MacBook back up. But you can leave the screen bezel off, etc. to test. Make sure you don't knock the cable out of the inverter board, as this is easy to do.

 

[noisyastronomer]

I eventually ended up replacing the entire display with one found on eBay, and it works perfectly again. Cost ~$120 and used ifixit instructions.

Oh, it's really easy to break the connectors for the wifi card if you're not careful. Have a soldering iron and a steady hand ready to fix that if needed. That was my only issue.