Troubleshooting the iBook: Display problems

In mid-March, we ran a two-part series regarding display issues with various iBook models. Based on a number of reports, the issue works seemed to work something like this: Users suddenly begin to see "rows" of pixel artifacts across the LCD. In the next stage, the screen goes haywire. Strange patterns appear all of the screen along with image ghosting, as if you had set an invalid mode line in X Windows.

After much more investigation, and several dozen more postings to Apple's discussion boards, it appears that there are actually three separate iBook display issues masquerading as one. Their relation to one another is yet to be determined:

1. Video "artifacts" progressing to eventual system failure
2. "Black screen" or "dimming" of the backlight, when screen is opened past a certain angle
3. "Black screen" or "dimming" of the backlight at random times, which can be temporarily solved by tapping on, or applying pressure to, the iBook case directly below the fn and control keys (to the left of the trackpad)

Problem #2 (above) seems to result from wires running through the hinge getting shorted. Some have posted that new iBooks use narrower cables - helping to alleviate the problem -s in the hinge area than the late 2001 and earlier models.

MacFixIt reader Mike Kupietz writes:

"My iBook suffers from problem #3 (above). Interestingly, months earlier, the headphone jack (located next to the same area of the ibook that you have to tap) began to become loose - I'd be listening with headphones and suddenly the headphones would 'flicker out' and the sound would crackle out of the ibook speakers for a second. Seems like that one little area of my iBook has several loose components. Perhaps there is some sort of torque or tension on this area of the motherboard. Either way, this all seems like a design flaw, and Apple seems unwilling to acknowledge that a problem exists."

Based on notes from a number of independent service providers and repair centers, the overall suggestion is that anyone with an iBook should consider picking up AppleCare or a third party warranty of some sort (if your Apple warranty is expired), as out-of-pocket iBook logic board replacements can be quite expensive.

Feedback on this issue? Drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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