0
Score
varun
1
Asked
MacBook's screen doesn't turn on when I boot up the machine.
Hi I have a 13" macbook white. I bought it in Feb 2009. After a little over an year the macbook's screen doesn't show anything when I boot up the machine. I can see the display perfectly when I connect an external monitor.
I didn't find any solution in this forum yet about this situation when the external screen works fine but the macbook's own screen doesn't show up anything.
Any clues what could be wrong?
Edited by: osvaldo, rj713, and Phillip Takahashi ( ) , mayer ( ) , varun ( )
2
Score
mayer
148.4k
Answered
Accepted Answer
Your problem is isolated to the upper screen. Shine a flashlight at an angle on the screen to see if you can see the desktop. If so it is the inverter. The next thing to look at is the Display data cable then the LCD. Let us know the results of the flashlight test and we can direct you to the correct procedures.
UPDATE
Here's the part you need: MacBook Display Data Cable
There does not seem to be a straight installation guide so you'll have to combine a couple. Be sure to review them both before starting: Repairing MacBook Core 2 Duo Installing LCD & Inverter (fast method) A1181
A damaged display data cable can cause video defects — Currently out of stock.
0
Score
Charles Fisher
355
Answered
HI, "Mayer" is absolutely correct. It is an isolated problem, a new replacement screen maybe in your future but first do as suggested by "Mayer" and post the results for further guidance.
Update
Hi there, in some cases that screen data cable can be repaired (depending on what you find). I would not advise doing to much with it because it is so hard to see the wires clearly with the natural eye. If you have a DVI monitor that you can utilize then use it. If the screen comes up then you are in business and you can feel assured that the issue will be between that data cable or the screen (I doubt that it would both).
Edited by: Charles Fisher ( )
0
Score
varun
1
Answered
I shined a flashlight at an angle on the screen and I don't see my desktop. Should I look at the display data cable? How to do that?
First un-accept my answer till you have one. Be sure you have the machine booted up when you do the flashlight test. If you cannot see the desktop then the next thing is to replace the display data cable. Please give the last three letters of your serial number so I can get you to the correct part and procedure. At this point it's either the display or the cable and no way to tell which without replacing them.
I have the machine booted up when I do the flashlight test. I don't see anything on the screen event when I flash the flashlight at about 170 degrees angle. Also the macbook's "detect display" doesn't detect the macbook's display even though it can easily detect the external display. Does that tell something? The serial number is W8906SLG4R1. Here are more details if that might help. *Model Name: MacBook ** Model Identifier: MacBook5,2 ** Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo ** Processor Speed: 2 GHz ** Number Of Processors: 1 ** Total Number Of Cores: 2 ** L2 Cache: 3 MB ** Memory: 2 GB ** Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz ** Boot ROM Version: MB52.0088.B05 ** SMC Version (system): 1.38f5 ** Serial Number (system): W8906SLG4R1 ** Hardware UUID: 5F3719C4-C957-582E-9EA7-D76772BCE9CF ** Sudden Motion Sensor: *** State: Enabled
0
Score
Eric N
1
Answered
0
Score
Charles Fisher
355
Answered
Hello there, for this kind of problem the cheapest and easiest way to go is to GET A NEW SCREEN DATA CABLE. Now if your problem still continues then the chances are is that the screen itself is bad (it is always a possibility that the video chip could be at fault but since the external monitor works with any issues, then I would rule out the video chip).
0
Score
Eric N
1
Answered
