Screen is gray, but everything works fine!

[KLF]

Hi.

My Late 2008 Macbook 13.3/2.4/CTO with SSD, dropped on the floor.

After that, the screen is gray, but backlight controls are working.

The computer boots, and I can fully control it over VNC.
I can even plug-in an external screen and everything is ok.

What I've done so far:
- safe-mode, using shift key: on the top screen there were some red letters saying "safe boot"
- NVRAM reset: using cmd-opt-p-r I could hear the second chime
- removed battery and charger for more than 5 min, pressed for some seconds the power button, and then plug battery again
- installed latest updates for 10.7.4 OSX
- keyboard back-light, keys, sound, mouse pad, all working fine
- double checked that screen resolution is native (800 height)

But... The screen is always gray. I can modify back-light luminance by using keybord, in order to move to max brightness or minimum brightness.

What can I do next? Open case, remove some screen cables?

I would appreciate experienced user's opinion.

TIA

 

[ABCellars]

It does sound like you compromised the connection of the LVDS/video cable or the cable itself has fractured internally where it goes through the hinge. Follow the guides on http://ifixit.com for help with checking the cable connection and/or cable replacement.

Before taking the system apart to check the connection I would reset the SMC to see if that resolves the problem.

 

[KLF]

The diagnostic was correct!
It was the video data cable, but fortunately it was only a little bit loose.

I disconnected it and connected again, I got my video back.

Here goes a screenshot to anyone who come to the same problem.

Thanks for your tip.