macbook screen gone black -help

[brimfull]

seems like the bulb has gone iykwim because of you look really really carefully there is writing on the screen

can't see to get into settings etc.

bought it june 08

any ideas?

[cananybodyhelp]

oh how sad, i hate it when they start to die.

Here's what I fund from a google search:
UPDATE July 17 2007: Called Apple Care, they say it's a firmware failure that was in the OS update for 10.4.10 for the MacBook. They told me to download the firmware fix from their site, and make a CD out of it, then try it. If THAT still doesn't fix it, I'm to call them back and maybe end up shipping the Macbook back. I'm praying that this CD fixes it. So folks, try downloading the firmware fix BEFORE you do the OS update. It is called Firmware Restoration CD 1.3

[cananybodyhelp]

Or another one:

1. Disconnect any devices connected to the computer including printers, hubs, and third-party keyboards or mice, and test the computer again by trying to turn it on.
   
2. Press the control key, the command key, and the power button simultaneously and hold for three seconds to try to restart the computer.
   
   If that does not work :
   Reset the PRAM and NVRAM
   
   
3. Shut down the computer.
   
4. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
   
5. Turn on the computer.
   
6. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
   
7. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
   
8. Release the keys.
   
   Your computer's PRAM and the NVRAM are reset to the default values. The clock settings may be reset to a default date on some models.

[cananybodyhelp]

God knows what that all means but hopefully it might help you out.

[brimfull]

thanks
kind of you to find that

seems like I need lots of fingers to do it

trouble is screen is so black not grey but will give it a go
whats command key?

and where did you find this info please?

[lazydog]

I repair computers for a living. From your description it's either your backlight itself (the CCFL tube) or your inverter board (which converts low DC voltage present on your motherboard into higher AC voltage required by the backlight) that has died.

Unfortunately, either way (with it being a Macbook and not a more easily repaired PC laptop) you'll probably need to find an Apple trained repair bod to fix it for you.

Did you buy an extended warranty?

[lazydog]

To add - I highly recommend that you back up any critical data before sending it in for repair. This can either be achieved by using an external monitor (but again, because we're talking about a Macbook and not a standard laptop, I believe they don't have a "standard" video output port. So unless you already have a (mini-DVI?) converter/adapter, you'll likely not be able to do that!)

Or the less preferred option (but maybe your only choice) is that the faint image on the screen becomes much more visible if you shine a high-powered torch directly at the spot that you're trying to read (seriously!) and that might help you to navigate to where you need to, to backup data, on the semi-dead display.

HTH,
Alex

[brimfull]

Thans for your info Alex , I took the macbook back to the apple store on sunday and am waiting to here from them, I didn't buy an extended warranty so will have to pay.
They seemd to think it was probably the back light too.

[lazydog]

If it is the backlight, or the inverter, I really hope they repair the fault by replacing the part that's failed, rather than charging you for a whole new LCD assembly when there's nothing wrong with the most expensive part of the screen, iyswim?

A new inverter board, which is often the culprit for exactly this symptom, or the backlight itself, should each only cost somewhere around 15 GBP (sorry - I'm in Canada with no pound sign on my keyboard!)

However, I guess it might balance out because the replacement of either of these parts would be more labour intensive than quickly slapping on a whole new display.

[brimfull]

they cautiously mentioned about 70gbp -but waiting to hear

[lazydog]

That's a very fair price if that's what they end up charging you I'd charge $100 (Canadian) plus parts at cost, so very similar, and everyone says I'm far too cheap (I'm kinda assuming they mean my business rates, LOL!)

[brimfull]

aaargh-have just heard from them it's the whole vdu screen that needs replacing - 200quid
please dont tell me I could get it done for a fiver somewhere else as I have just agreed to the repair going ahead

[lazydog]

"the whole vdu screen that needs replacing"



Ok, I won't!

[Byebyebucket]

Same problem.... Panicking I will lose a year a photos of children !!!! I have not backed up know I should