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Released October 2008 / 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8 or 2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor

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Should I buy this MacBook (faulty display)

Hi, I'm about to buy a macbook pro at a great price, it only has one problem: screen backlight doesn't work. The seller told me that I could buy a new screen and that could solve the problem. I did some research and found out that replacing the screen may not solve the backlight issue. I read something about replacing the "inverter" to fix it but the unibody models don't come with inverter anymore. Could this be a problem inside the logic board? Is it fixable? Should I buy this mac? Thanks in advance.

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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There's no way to know without installing a known working display to test the backlight issue on this unibody. Yes there's a good probability of logic board damage. Ask the seller to open the machine bottom case and look for signs of spilled liquid and corrosion on the logic board. Connecting the unit to an external monitor will only tell you if the graphic chip is OK but wont tell you if the integrated inverter electronics is in good condition. I would take extreme care with this unit: Follow this rule: never pay more for a unit that you can sell it if you can't repair it.

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+ This is true. I have seen a lot of problems with the LED backlight circuitry on the logic board with these and a few others. I am actually gearing up to specialize in this repair. The circuitry for the LED backlight is right in front of the LVDS connector and also almost right underneath it.

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A lot of these machines have a microfuse which controls the backlight, and which is often blown in the case that the backlight isn't working. It can be repaired, but it's not easy. I've also seen unibody machines with no backlight that have a burned out video connector (two pins in particular are usually burned), and unfortunately when this is the case, replacing the screen assembly with another has not fixed the problem, at least as far as I've witnessed. So in short I would agree with Lemerise's rule, i.e. don't gamble, and don't pay more than you can easily sell it for. Generally I've found that CraigsList is a much better place to buy broken machines...ones one eBay have more likely been worked on, etc.

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@ABCellars: would you be able to repair this kind of backlight issue in a near future ? If so we'll be glad to use your services.

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@lemerise Should be good to go shortly after Christmas season. I am in the USA, state of Ohio - not really far from you.

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@ABCellars: perfect !! Just email me at lemerise.m@gmail.com when you'll be ready to start.

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Find out if the unit will work with an external monitor attached. Be careful and get it in writing.

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Mayer this is VERY POOR ADVICE. Hooking this up to an external monitor will tell you nothing about the backlight circuitry. If you really think it does please explain in detail how it could, since external monitors have their own backlight circuitry.

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Cellers, if you have a better answer POST it instead of downvoting me. You know I'm not feeling up to par.

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I did not down vote you on this answer. I posted a stern comment. Please ask the forum moderators to confirm this. We have butted heads over the LED backlight issue on numerous occasions. Those times that I have down voted you was to get your attention, in hopes that you would go out and educate yourself on the issue/problem in question. I have always withdrawn any and all down votes I have given you. I could care less about points. I've actually ridden myself of approximately 3000 points in the last month (Talk about me down voting someone.) - ask the moderators about that too. I do put principles before personalities and I apologize if that offends you. I don't vote on things I don't know about. I never have and never will vote for the person answering a question (+ or -). I firmly believe that what I contribute to a post should be for the greater good - That includes answering, commenting and voting. I am not a perfect person. I am not the greatest authority on anything. I am a person with an opinion.

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