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Faint horizontal lines across bottom RHS of screen at certain angles

Hello Community,

I am having an issue with my MacBook 13 inch. I've kept it in very good condition over the last 8 or so years but it has recently developed an issue where very faint lines appear across the bottom right hand side of the screen. They disappear when the screen is moved slightly or closed-and-reopened.

These lines do not appear on external displays. Pictures with and without are attached, along with more system details.

I am available to give more information if needed.

https://s4.postimg.org/hsv9v0p31/Screen_...

https://s4.postimg.org/j5cywwmil/IMG_201...

https://s4.postimg.org/4nfrowv7h/IMG_201...

Answer this question I have this problem too

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Either a problem with the PCB attached to the LCD or LCD cable. If you have a heatgun and are confident you can remove the glass without cracking, you can find a guide to accessing the LCD here MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Front Display Glass Replacement

Otherwise, replace the whole top lid and your issue will be resolved.

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What you are seeing it the delaminating of the electrical contacts from the LCD glass panel (called a TAB error).

Often we see wide lines as the display was banged or something heavy was placed on the lid causing stress between the glass and the cable that is attached to the glass to carry the signals to the LCD.

In your case it appears only a few lines broke which could have been a manufacturing defect that took this long to show up.

You can live with it or replace the complete lid assembly. Here's the IFIXIT guide to replace it: MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Display Assembly Replacement

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3 Comments:

Thanks for the reply. As this is sometimes present but at other times it is fine and can be fixed with a screen wiggle, does that suggest the problem may be more to do with the connection, as Reece mentions below? As such, can replacing/fiddling with the cable/connection solve the issue?

Thanks.

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The screen is opened (wiggled) is the clue here as you are stressing and distressing the assembly (making & breaking the connection of the TAB).

This series uses LDVS signaling so the cable connection to the display from the logic board won't be the issue here as you would be getting distorted colors and/or wavy & double images.

Behind the LCD is some additional logic which rasterizes the signal to X & Y signals to display the image onto the LCD so its possible the logic here is disconnected but that wouldn't react in the same way. If the solder connection was bad it would be more a tap would make or break the connection Vs the tilt of the display.

Sadly this is not something I recommend to attempt for a DIY project. Even I don't go that far as the probability of fixing things is less than 50%. Besides you'll have some markings on the displays cover glass or bezel from the attempt.

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Thanks Dan.

I'm not sure it's worth investing a huge amount more money into the laptop, especially for something as 'minor' as this. Is it the kind of thing that worsens over time?

Most likely I'll continue, try and push 10 years out of the guy and then get a new laptop that I can put my SSD in.

Best

Dylan

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Dylan will be eternally grateful.
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