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13" aluminum unibody, 2.0 or 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor.

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Internal display doesn't work, video out does & internal is detected.

My old MacBook a1278 doesn’t show a picture on the internal display. This is after replacing the thermal paste, which required me to remove the logic board, unplugging each cable connected to it.

I have tried to figure out what I have done wrong in the process of reassembling it, but I am clueless, hence this post.

I have tested various features to make sure they still worked, so I will list them here:

  • Webcam works still, green light even turns on.
  • Video out via DVI still works, in fact I’m typing this on the laptop in question.

The only thing I have not been able to get working is the internal display, which remains stubbornly blank, thought I will note that it does very briefly turn on, for about a fraction of a second at boot, displaying a slightly brighter shade of black than it does now without end.

Here are my specs, for the MacBook:

  • Macbook 5,1
  • 2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
  • 8 GB Ram
  • 1 TB SSD
  • Runs MacOS Catalina, 10.15.6, via DosDude’s Patcher

Another note, that I have been running Catalina with no problems for months beforehand, my display issue happened immediately after I reassembled the MacBook after replacing the thermal paste.

Not sure what else is necessary to list here, if I left out some important stuff let me know.

I will also mention that when I close the lid, the laptop goes to sleep, as if no display is plugged in.

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Using a flashlight aimed through the Apple Logo in the lid do you see a faint image of your desktop & icons?

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No, it’s just blank, though I can see the light shining through the logo on the back, I have no picture onscreen.

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Chosen Solution

Examine and reseat the LDVS display cable.

MacBook Unibody Model A1278 LVDS Display Cable Replacement

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2 Comments:

I have tried unplugging and plugging in the display data cable several times now, but the display still will not turn on. Looking at the cable and connector, there doesn’t seem to be any damage, including tears (or rather, lack thereof) to the tape wrapped around it from the factory.

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While it may look undamaged, still, I'll keep in mind I may need to replace the display. I'd like to rule out other possibilities before I order some replacement parts though.

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Walter Xavier will be eternally grateful.
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