Mac LCD display problem

BN123

My girl friend is having a problem with her MAC. The LCD display is extreamly dull, you can just about make out that the screen is actually dispalying at all. I''ve hooked up an external monitor and everything works fine on that.

I am guessing the backlight might be gone on the screen itself. Can anyone reccommend somewhere in and around Dublin that could take a look and service it?

Thanks

big_moe

stupid question, but is the brightness turned up?? if its a macbook use the F2 key. or go to system preferences and click displays and adjust it there.

moe

ZENER

There are hundreds of different Macs, any chance you could tell us which one you have ? iMac, PowerMac, Powerbook, iBook, Mac Mini, MacBook . . . . IIe, Centris, Performa . . . . ??????

Difficult to help with such limited information provided.:mad:

ZEN

spidermonkey

if its a regular mac with a fullsize keyboard use f15 to increase the brightness:eek: f14 to decrease the brightness

BN123

ZENER wrote:

There are hundreds of different Macs, any chance you could tell us which one you have ? iMac, PowerMac, Powerbook, iBook, Mac Mini, MacBook . . . . IIe, Centris, Performa . . . . ??????

Difficult to help with such limited information provided.:mad:

ZEN

Jesus Zener relax!


Its a power book G4 but not to worry its gone to mactive in Blanchardstown. It's not the brightness im not that stupid.

Inspector Gadget

LCD display backlights are (almost always) what are called CCFLs - cold cathod flourescent lights - and like their full-size brothers, they only have a limited operating life. The usual points of failure are either the inverter or the tube itself, but if the display's just gone dim (as opposed to nearly black) and/or it's not flickering, then the tube (bulb) is on the way out.

It is technically possible to replace just the backlight (I've done this a few times with PC laptops - the screens are all more or less the same, so I'm certain it can be done, but mark my words, it's difficult, precise work, and you have to be very careful what you touch. Also, the tubes themselves contain (highly toxic) mercury vapour, even if only in small amounts, so don't attempt this unless you're comfortable with reasonably complex electronics repairs, as it's fiddly and very fragile.

If you are, however, tubes can be picked up off the likes of ebay for around fifteen euro - you'd be well advised to measure yours first to ensure you're getting the right length to ensure that (a) it'll actually fit and (b) it'll fill the entire display.

Hope this helps,
Gadget

BN123

Cheers Gadget.

Im fairly sure its the inverter that's gone The screen is more or bless back, if you look at it from an angle you can just about see that its displaying something.