Strange display issue with partly incorrect screen

Discussion in 'MacBook' started by rafahol, Feb 2, 2010.

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  1. rafahol, Feb 2, 2010

    rafahol macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2010
    #1
    Hi all

    I have just purchased a 2nd hand macbook and have the following issue now. If I start the macbook everything is ok except then when the GUI is started and Leopard is ready to be used I get only a partial display of the screen (1/5 of the screen left can be read then you see a line and the rest is black).

    I have included two screenshots so you can see the screen issue.

    Can you tell me if the lcd screen is stuck or if the problem can be related to the inverter?

    Did this happen to anybody also in this forum?

    I would like to have some answers....

    Regards,
    R
     

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  2. Pax, Feb 2, 2010

    Pax macrumors 6502a

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2003
    #2
    I think the inverter is OK. The inverter is used to power the backlight, and the backlight is definitely "on" otherwise you would not see any image, just a black screen or a flickering screen.

    I notice from your photos that the part of the screen hinge is missing and I can see the wires which connect the LCD to the logic board. Was it like this when you bought it? This makes me think that there is an electrical problem with the connection.

    We need some more information. You say "If I start the macbook everything is ok", do you mean that when you restart the computer you see:
    (a) a full grey screen with the spinning timer graphic at the centre, or
    (b) 1/5 of a grey screen.

    If you see (a), the hardware (LCD panel, connection to logic board, graphics chip) are probably all OK. If you see (b), the problem is likely to be in the hardware. That's bad.

    If you see (a), try booting from your install DVD (insert the install DVD, shut down, hold down the Option key (also marked alt) and press the power key. You will get a choice of what to boot from. Do you see a full screen there? or 1/5? Choose to boot from the DVD, and wait (it takes a long time). When you have finished the boot, do you see full screen or 1/5?

    If you see (b) you could try connecting to an external monitor and seeing if the same problem occurs.

    How long ago did you buy the computer? You should probably be talking to the guy you bought it from
     
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  3. rafahol, Feb 2, 2010

    rafahol thread starter macrumors newbie

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    Feb 2, 2010
    #3
    Hi,

    Thanks for your answer. I have just started the macbook and I get again the same problem but now I get first 1/5 good then one part black, then white and then black see the third screenshot.

    When I bought the macbook the guy told me the macbook has a new case because maybe it was fallen I don't know. The strange thing is that he told that normally it would work ok but sometimes it had some problems with the screen, you only needed to push somewhat and then it worked he said.

    I opened the macbook this weekend with a friend but couldn't suspect anything.

    Do you think it's a hardware issue and if yes what should I replace?

    Connecting it to an external screen works ok.

    Regards,
    R
     

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  4. Pax, Feb 2, 2010

    Pax macrumors 6502a

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2003
    #4
    Yes I am pretty sure the problem is with the connection:-
    - it works with an external screen, so the graphics chip is OK
    - the problem comes and goes, so it's likely a connection problem
    - your friend says you need to push on something ?!!!

    You see the hole where the piece of plastic is missing, underneath the display? Some of the wires in there connect the LCD to the logic board. I think the cable is grey.

    Try opening & closing the display, does the pattern change?

    Check out http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-MacBook-Core-Duo-Display/304/1. It looks like a difficult job, I am quite good with electronics but I wouldn't do something that hard.
     
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