Question on A1082 Apple 23" Cinema Display (Aluminum)

[eyoungren]

So, most of you may know that about two months ago one of the two 23" Cinema Displays I have quit working. I deduced the day that it died that it was NOT the powerbrick. I swapped the bricks with the other 23" CD and the brick powered the other display just fine.

I'm guessing that the display is not getting power. I have no light when it's plugged in and it's entirely non-responsive. The powerbrick does not get hot at all with the display plugged in.

I was thinking I'd either end up replacing the display with another (or larger) display and/or simply reshuffling the displays I already have. But it occurred to me recently that it could be the cable from the display itself.

My question then is, how likely is that? On eBay I saw someone selling a motherboard with the cable(s) attached for the A1082 as well. I guess that means the Cinema Displays have motherboards. Is it possible THAT failed and not the cable?

I'm just thinking right now that before plunking down money on another display I could try and see if replacing parts(s) on this one might work. I've got nothing to lose as the display isn't working right now any way. I know the backlight and the screen are fine, nothing is wrong with it - it just seems to not be getting power (or just not drawing power).

 

[theMarble]

But it occurred to me recently that it could be the cable from the display itself.

My question then is, how likely is that? On eBay I saw someone selling a motherboard with the cable(s) attached for the A1082 as well. I guess that means the Cinema Displays have motherboards. Is it possible THAT failed and not the cable?

I'd doubt that a DVI cable just completely stops working one day after a long period of time in the same position working fine. The Cinema Displays do have a motherboard which handles the backlight, power and connections.

While unlikely, it is possible that the motherboard has died, given that the power brick works on another CD. Does anything show on the screen or light up even for a split second?

I have a Dell 2007FP which shows an image for a split second before going blank, yet all of the button LED's still work fine. I suspect that the backlight is dead. (which is a real shame since it's one of the rare IPS versions)

 

[eyoungren]

I'd doubt that a DVI cable just completely stops working one day after a long period of time in the same position working fine. The Cinema Displays do have a motherboard which handles the backlight, power and connections.

While unlikely, it is possible that the motherboard has died, given that the power brick works on another CD. Does anything show on the screen or light up even for a split second?

I have a Dell 2007FP which shows an image for a split second before going blank, yet all of the button LED's still work fine. I suspect that the backlight is dead. (which is a real shame since it's one of the rare IPS versions)

No, no light, no life at all. I came down one morning and the light was completely out. About 30 mins of fiddling around with powerbricks and DVI cables and nothing. No light, no flicker, just black screen.

So, maybe that's what I'll look for then is a new MB. Gotta be cheaper than replacement.

 

[eyoungren]

So, the lone motherboard that I can find on eBay for this Cinema Display is in Australia. $80 USD with about $95 USD in shipping charges. For $175 I can probably just find a replacement.

So, looks like that's going to be the route.

 

[MarkC426]

I too have one of these displays (currently in it's box).
A number of years ago it developed a single back line of pixels horizontally across the screen.
The screen/box are mint and can't bring myself to just throw it away....

I have searched high and low online to try and find a cause/solution with no avail.
It drives me crazy, as it's a beautiful screen.

 

[eyoungren]

I too have one of these displays (currently in it's box).
A number of years ago it developed a single back line of pixels horizontally across the screen.
The screen/box are mint and can't bring myself to just throw it away....

I have searched high and low online to try and find a cause/solution with no avail.
It drives me crazy, as it's a beautiful screen.

View attachment 2133472

Yeah, in this case it's the screen. The pixels have gone bad, just like you'd find with a laptop screen. In your case, all you'd need is a new screen.

 

[Amethyst1]

The pixels have gone bad, just like you'd find with a laptop screen. In your case, all you'd need is a new screen.

I wonder if it could be a faulty connection or cold solder point. My 22” DVI has a vertical red line — but it doesn’t always show up.

 

[MarkC426]

I wonder if it could be a faulty connection or cold solder point. My 22” DVI has a vertical red line — but it doesn’t always show up.

This is the thing, if I could find a specialist to look at it, it may be something simple.
Originally cost me £900 ish to buy.

 

[TheShortTimer]

I wonder if it could be a faulty connection or cold solder point. My 22” DVI has a vertical red line — but it doesn’t always show up.

This is the thing, if I could find a specialist to look at it, it may be something simple.
Originally cost me £900 ish to buy.

Going on personal experience, it might be easier to swot up on the basics of electronics theory and electrical engineering and then look at it yourself. I spent ages trying to enlist engineers to look at stuff but no avail and in the end I took matters into my own hands and after a bit of practice I became proficient enough to tackle repair projects myself.

If it is just a cold solder point aka "dry joint" as @Amethyst1 speculates then that would be very easy to correct with the right soldering equipment. Also, we're reaching the stage where it's worthwhile acquiring the skills so that we can maintain our beloved hardware without reliance on others.