Erratic horizontal lines on LCD display

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MacBook Core 2 Duo

Model A1181: 1.83, 2, 2.1, 2.13, 2.16, 2.2, or 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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Dan Mac @danmac47868

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Posted: May 17, 2015

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Erratic horizontal lines on LCD display

I have a Macbook 13" Early 2008 Dual Core 2 Duo Penryn Model A1181.

Erratic horizontal (white) lines appear at random positions on the LCD display.

A simple pressure on the screen bezel or even a gentle play with the inclination of the screen causes randomly :

- more lines

- or return to a clean display (with no lines).

See attached pics with more and less lines

(please ignore the glare in middle of screen caused by the camera flash)

note :

- No lines appear using an external display (mini-dvi port) works fine.

- The screen brightness appears fine in any position

Any suggestions on how to investigate this problem and diagnose the cause of the problem ?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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3 Comments

What happens when you use an external display? Is the image on it clean.

Jun 18, 2015 by Dan

Yes, an external monitor shows a clean image. I guess this means the video card itself is fine.

Jun 18, 2015 by Dan Mac

Much thanks for your answer !

Jun 19, 2015 by Dan Mac

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Chosen Solution

Dan @danj

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Posted: Jun 19, 2015

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Since an external display shows a clean image that proves the issue is within the internal display it self. Sounds like you either banged the lid with something or something heavy sat on the lid damaging the fragile connections on the glass.

Time for a new display assembly.

You may want to think over if this system is worth fixing given its age and limitations. You may want to put the money into a new system.

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5 Comments:

Understand. One further question : what strikes me is the fact that the screen displays correctly when playing with the lid (adjusting pressure, inclination, etc..). Could this indicate rather an issue with the video cable - ie. it could simply need to be reconnected ?

Jun 19, 2015 by Dan Mac

Sadly no, the pressure is effecting the glass connections of the driver logic which have broken free. The LVDS cable that interconnects the display to the graphics services on the main logic board uses a signaling system that wouldn't show up this way.

Jun 19, 2015 by Dan

Ah, here is an insightful answer.

This would corroborate I guess with the fact that recently the screen has started to show white stains that are growing. At times pretty much the whole screen appears white until pressure is applied. It is interesting to understand the actual factors affecting this. So your answers are much appreciated. Best.

Jun 19, 2015 by Dan Mac

If this answer answered your question please remember to rate (score) and mark it accepted.

Jun 20, 2015 by Dan

Absolutely. Thanks again. Will now evaluate screen replacement opportunities or use of outside display.

Jun 21, 2015 by Dan Mac

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What happens when you use an external display? Is the image on it clean. — Dan
Yes, an external monitor shows a clean image. I guess this means the video card itself is fine. — Dan Mac
Understand. One further question : what strikes me is the fact that the screen displays correctly when playing with the lid (adjusting pressure, inclination, etc..). Could this indicate rather an issue with the video cable - ie. it could simply need to be reconnected ? — Dan Mac
Sadly no, the pressure is effecting the glass connections of the driver logic which have broken free. The LVDS cable that interconnects the display to the graphics services on the main logic board uses a signaling system that wouldn't show up this way. — Dan
Ah, here is an insightful answer.

This would corroborate I guess with the fact that recently the screen has started to show white stains that are growing. At times pretty much the whole screen appears white until pressure is applied. It is interesting to understand the actual factors affecting this. So your answers are much appreciated. Best. — Dan Mac
If this answer answered your question please remember to rate (score) and mark it accepted. — Dan
Absolutely. Thanks again. Will now evaluate screen replacement opportunities or use of outside display. — Dan Mac