Screen lights up, no picture...occasionally comes on?

Question

MacBook

Repair guides for the MacBook.

3786 Questions View all

Scott McDougall @scottmcdougall

Rep: 1

1

Posted: Nov 30, 2010

Options

Screen lights up, no picture...occasionally comes on?

Hi, I've been working on a Macbook that has some odd problems with the display. The Macbook boots fine but there is no video on the screen. Sometimes video would come on moving the screen around and pressing on the front of the topcase?

I figured it was the LVDS cable, so I replaced that. Same problem. Black screen, occasionally working. I replaced the display with a spare I have, same problem again!!

I also tried using an older Macbook screen assembly that I had laying around, and after doing this it would boot with a grey screen, and after a minute tearing and discoloration would cover the whole screen.

The Macbook works perfectly fine when connected to an external display. What's going on here??

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No

Score -1

Add a comment

2 Answers

rj713 @rj713 Rep: 78.2k 384 96 162 · Answer 1 · 2010-11-30T15:11:55-07:00

Most Helpful Answer

rj713 @rj713

Rep: 78.2k

384

96

162

Posted: Nov 30, 2010

Options

Use the linked guide to determine which Macbook you have. Then if your model has an inverter carefully check the inverter cable and inverter for proper operation. Since your computer does not work with a spare display I would more likely suspect the cable or its connection to the logic board. Good luck.

MacBook

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No

Score 1

2 Comments:

Hmm I will look into that.

Nov 30, 2010 by Scott McDougall

I checked the model, it's an A1181 Penryn from early 2008 (2.4GHz).

I also looked at the inverter cable, which seems fine. I swapped it with a different inverter though, just in case. Same result though. Unfortunately I don't have another of the same style inverter cables to try (the older ones seem to have a different style connection to the motherboard, but same to the converter as the newer ones). To be sure, I tested all the wires on each end for continuity and they seem fine. No damage on the logic board to the LVDS or inverter port.

If the external display didn't work, I'd probably give up on this, but this seems like it should be simple! Gah!

Dec 1, 2010 by Scott McDougall

Add a comment