Weird growing spots on Clamshell screen

[mectojic]

This is on a graphite iBook Clamshell SE.

The marks look quite visible in the picture, but it's not quite true – I can only see these marks when the Clamshell is displaying something black/ dark. I've just put a black picture into fullscreen using Preview to show what it looks like. I can't even see these marks when using regular light-toned applications.

It does worry me, especially since it started out small and has been growing larger – now taking up almost half the screen.

What is it, is it going to be a problem, and how can I fix it?

 

[Strategia]

Maybe it's mold? Just a hunch.

 

[mectojic]

Maybe it's mold? Just a hunch.

I think so- but how do I clean it?

 

[Project Alice]

Is it there when it’s off? Or just while it’s on displaying black.

I think so- but how do I clean it?

If it’s on the inside of the screen and not on the surface I have no idea...
Might be a good time to do an XGA upgrade.

 

[galgot]

Looks like it's the screen polarizing film rotting, seen on some Pismos and older Powerbooks . See here :

68kMLA

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68kmla.org

Can be replaced, but changing screen is easier. The reason why it is happening on certain machines is not known though. Could the environment humidity were they are stored.

 

[AphoticD]

Definitely mold. I have a few older PowerBook like this.

It is possible to dismantle the LCD panel to clean the individual sheets, but it's very likely the damage is permanent and the only fix is to replace the LCD. I would keep an eye out for a cheap clamshell which might be sold 'for parts' as-is, etc or has some other issues. You could then swap out the LCD panels.

 

[weckart]

Time to swap out the display. Trouble is, that the for-parts Clamshells are usually because of a bust screen and the XGA mod is hard to do now because the cable adapter is no longer sold.

 

[mectojic]

Definitely mold. I have a few older PowerBook like this.

It is possible to dismantle the LCD panel to clean the individual sheets, but it's very likely the damage is permanent and the only fix is to replace the LCD. I would keep an eye out for a cheap clamshell which might be sold 'for parts' as-is, etc or has some other issues. You could then swap out the LCD panels.

Thanks for letting me know.

While I'm going to attempt a cleaning, I'm actually most worried about my other Clamshell, which is still in great condition and has no marks.
If it's a humidity problem, perhaps the same thing might happen to that screen too. I'm not sure what to do about this, and how to protect it from potential damage.

 

[Riku7]

Thanks for letting me know.

While I'm going to attempt a cleaning, I'm actually most worried about my other Clamshell, which is still in great condition and has no marks.
If it's a humidity problem, perhaps the same thing might happen to that screen too. I'm not sure what to do about this, and how to protect it from potential damage.

(Sorry for this rogue reply, but I'm just randomly browsing all threads clamshell because I'm expecting to receive one)

If it's a humidity problem and you know that it's from you and not some previous owners, you might want to look into some portable air conditioning devices that regulate humidity. They most likely have a container where all the absorbed moisture goes, which has to be emptied periodically. Learn what the features of healthy indoor air quality are, and set the device running. If the humidity is caused by the climate you're in, it should be controllable, but if it's caused by a house with a mold problem, I would move out asap, not for the machines but most of all, for the sake of your own health.

 

[B S Magnet]

Thanks for letting me know.

While I'm going to attempt a cleaning, I'm actually most worried about my other Clamshell, which is still in great condition and has no marks.
If it's a humidity problem, perhaps the same thing might happen to that screen too. I'm not sure what to do about this, and how to protect it from potential damage.

Definitely keep an eye out for any changes, but if nothing emerges on it or other TFT displays you have around from that era, it was probably the storage conditions of that particular iBook prior to your ownership. NSW doesn’t tend to be nearly as humid as places like southern Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the U.S. Gulf Coast, or Brazil, so unless there were other extenuating circumstances with where you are in particular, the screen deterioration was probably underway when you bought it second-hand.

And if you’re still searching for a display replacement, and it happens to be either IBM or Samsung, I have a couple extra of each from donor clamshells and would be happy to send one over, with just an ask that shipping be covered.