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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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The enigma of my MacBook Backlight!

Hi, i don't understand why my macbook backlight doesn't work... I have already replaced the inverter, i've tried also resetting the pram and the smc... and it still doesn't work... anyway, now i notice that if i change the energy settings and i change the brightness, or sometimes also if i do nothing it works again usually for about two hours... how can it be?

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Move the screen back and forth and see if the screen returns. When it goes out can you still see the desktop? What are the last three figures of your serial number?

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the last three figures of my serial number are #0P1, if i move the screen back and forth the screen doesn't return and i can still see the desktop anytime...

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Apple MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (White-08) Specs

Identifiers: Early 2008 - MB403LL/A - MacBook4,1 - A1181 - 2242

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Your symptoms indicate a bad or failing inverter. I would return it and get another one.

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There's no surefire way, to solve this enigma.

First and foremost, give us the last three numbers and letters of your serial number. You can find it in the System Profiler, or on a sticker under the battery, if it's not worn out.

There's a long way of tests. I'll divide them in software and hardware tests.

On the software side, you should redo the SMC and PRAM reset. You could also try, just if you want to feel really safe, to boot with a clean profile.

Then you must get on the hardware side.

The usual troubleshooting for your issue implies:

  1. Replacing the inverter cable: The telltale signs of a frayed and/or damaged inverter cable are a backlight that goes on and off if you jiggle the monitor up and down
  2. Replacing the inverter, who's usually the culprit for a dim or flickering light.
  3. Replacing the display. The display has a CCFL lamp, like a small neon, lodged in its bottom part. Usually a worn out lamp gives off some telltale signs, like a more pinkish and yellowish hue, lacking luster if compared to a new screen

The fourth cause, the rarest one, is a bad capactor on the logic board. Don't worry: that never happened in every single case I knew or read of

So, if I were you I'd try to boot out of a clean profile, maybe even from the install DVD and see what happens. If it keeps acting up, I'd change inverter and inverter cable, and only if you keep having issue, the LCD panel.

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Thank'you for your very good answer... :) The last three figures of my serial number are #0P1, i've already tried to reset the Smc and the Pram... and i've already replaced the inverter, i didn't change the inverter cable cause if i move the display back and forth the screen doesn't return... anyway as soon as possible i'll try to boot with a clean profile... Do you have any more suggestion???

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Not anything that mayer hasn't already said. I'd try with a new inverter and inverter cable.

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You could try to use this youtube video i searcherd up for you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3-SQeABn...

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Thank'you but i've already replaced the inverter... The problem is that i can't understand what's the problem...

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Check your clock settings when your laptop is not connected to a network after being turned off over night do you find the setting is getting lost? If so your settings battery needs to be replaced. The older generation of MacBooks and MacBook Pros used a small button cell batt to hold the PRAM settings and power the built-in clock.

If your connected to a network via WiFi or Ethernet the clock will automatically reset to the Internet timebase which is why you must not let the system access it to check your button battery.

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I'll try to follow your advice as soon as possible... but i don't understand why the setting battery could be a problem for the display... Can you explain it to me???

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From your symptoms and what actions you took you could be loosing your PRAM settings after you turn your system off. And it's the easiest thing to check first before concluding you have deeper issues with the backlighting system.

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Hi, i tried to do what you said, but the battery it's ok...

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Davide will be eternally grateful.
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