What's up with my screen?

[Zach808]

Since yesterday, my screen has been acting really wierd. Every few hours, the screen goes all fuzzy with a bunch of white lines on it, and it becomes completely unusable. It only happens for a few seconds each time (fortunately, it's fine right now), but it's kinda got me worried because I need to keep this computer for 2 more years before getting a new one, and I can't afford to fix it. I can't stop using it because I need it for school, so if it breaks, I'm completely screwed.

Anyone have an idea of what's going on?

 

[spinnerlys]

What exact MacBook do you have?

Look for the Model Identifier and post it here.

Do you still have warranty or Apple Care or an equivalent third-party warranty?

 

[Zach808]

I have a MacBook Aluminum late 2008 model.

My warranty ran out a few months ago, and I don't have AppleCare, so if my computer breaks, I'm pretty much screwed.

 

[borisiii]

I have a MacBook Aluminum late 2008 model.

My warranty ran out a few months ago, and I don't have AppleCare, so if my computer breaks, I'm pretty much screwed.

It sounds like a problem with the display cable. If you are lucky it will have worked itself loose and just need reseating, if it is damaged or frayed you will need a new display assembly. If it ever makes a click/pop/crack sound when you adjust the screen angle, most likely your problem is the latter.

I have the same MacBook (MacBook 5,1) as you, which developed a display cable problem causing my iSight to stop working. Apple replaced the logic board and the display assembly (the whole top portion of the laptop, including the back). Although I didn't have to pay because it was under the original 12-month warranty, I saw from the receipts that the total repair cost would have been £680 (approx $1000) out of warranty. I hope that isn't the case for you. If it comes to the worst and you can't afford a repair, your computer will still work fine when connected to an external display.

 

[l.a.rossmann]

In years I have seen one case of it being the display cable.

It's likely the LCD.

Find a B133EW07, some places have them for $63. Put a dollar away every day for two months and you will be back in business.