iSight Not Working or Recognized

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MacBook Air 11" Mid 2012

1.7 GHz dual-core Intel Processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.6 GHz) with 3 MB shared L3 cache

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jcarter @jcarter51005

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Posted: Aug 15, 2013

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iSight Not Working or Recognized

Hi -

I purchased a working 11" Macbook Air with the isight not recognized or working. I know these MBA displays can be tricky at best (glue/adhesion removal, finding the LCD replacement etc). Any info or disassembly info is appreciated

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originalmachead @originalmachead

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Posted: Aug 15, 2013

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You have a guide in the links to the right. Purchase the recommended tools (every job is easier when you use the correct tool). Study the guides carefully - biggest problem is logic board damage from new DIYers ripping connectors off the board because they pulled the wrong way or neglected to unlock a cam.

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4 Comments:

Call me crazy, but there isn't a guide among those listed 15 to the right that cover taking the display assembly by itself, apart. There's a guide to remove the display, but not to take it apart. Am i missing something? My concern was about feasibility of dis-assembly and fear of breakage of the thin led-lit lcd.

PS - thanks for the tips. Not a newbie tho :)

Aug 15, 2013 by jcarter

Good you're not a newbie. You're right there is no guide for that here... but you can make one. Here's a link to directions from another site.The assembly is not that different between model years and machines. FWIW it is an advanced project and you might be better off just buying an undamaged top-case with camera and connectors. Reassembly can be a PITA with these glued displays (Apple tells their people just replace the top case then they send all those someplace to be refurbished (not a DIY shop)..

Aug 16, 2013 by originalmachead

Thanks! I have a couple of broken displays... so I think I'll practice on them first. Cheers. Jason

Aug 19, 2013 by jcarter

Thought I'd comment post-repair... It was actually quite doable. I didn't use a razor blade by itself... I used a drafting knife (smaller precise blade, and handle for both better control, and more readily applied pressure. The key here is HEAT HEAT HEAT. That, and avoiding the isight hardware at the top. Otherwise, this was a lot easier than I expected.

NOTE: After completing this repair (I have 6 more just like it to do), I attempted my first glass lens replacement over the glossy screens of the macbook pros. THOSE WERE NOT... FUN... AT... ALL. Lol

Sep 10, 2013 by jcarter

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Call me crazy, but there isn't a guide among those listed 15 to the right that cover taking the display assembly by itself, apart. There's a guide to remove the display, but not to take it apart. Am i missing something? My concern was about feasibility of dis-assembly and fear of breakage of the thin led-lit lcd.

PS - thanks for the tips. Not a newbie tho :) — jcarter
Good you're not a newbie. You're right there is no guide for that here... but you can make one. Here's a link to directions from another site.The assembly is not that different between model years and machines. FWIW it is an advanced project and you might be better off just buying an undamaged top-case with camera and connectors. Reassembly can be a PITA with these glued displays (Apple tells their people just replace the top case then they send all those someplace to be refurbished (not a DIY shop).. — originalmachead
Thanks! I have a couple of broken displays... so I think I'll practice on them first. Cheers. Jason — jcarter
Thought I'd comment post-repair... It was actually quite doable. I didn't use a razor blade by itself... I used a drafting knife (smaller precise blade, and handle for both better control, and more readily applied pressure. The key here is HEAT HEAT HEAT. That, and avoiding the isight hardware at the top. Otherwise, this was a lot easier than I expected.

NOTE: After completing this repair (I have 6 more just like it to do), I attempted my first glass lens replacement over the glossy screens of the macbook pros. THOSE WERE NOT... FUN... AT... ALL. Lol — jcarter