[cblake]

My iMac display screen is black with faint windows in the background. The computer chimes and boots up fine. I can even type in my username and passord and I can see the "Antivirus" bold lettering within the black screen. I stopped using this computer a few months ago because of this problem.

I've been doing some research online. I am wondering how prevalent this problem is...including other models. I know that that recently Apple settled a class action lawsuit related to the display problems in the Apple Studio Display. Apparently, the inverter is the culprit there.

I note here that the iBook is showing problems with the display screen, too. There is a "Repair Extension Program" in effect (or was until July 2007) for certain iBooks.

How much does Apple know about this problem? How prevalent is it? Are all affected Apple customers being treated fairly? Are all affected Apple customers being supported when complaints are made? Does Apple have evidence of a widespread problem with the video display in several models of its computer base? How many formal customer complaints has it had to date?

How many inverter replacements have the authorized Apple repair centers done in the last few years? What has Apple been charging for these repairs?

My computer is just now 4 years old. I have not used it for many months now. I HAD the "Apple Care" and it was in effect until the last week in August of 2006. This problem cropped up just outside the "Apple Care Warranty" period.

I ask...is this fair? The computer was purchased new and stayed in one location for all this time. It was never used every day or for long periods of time. It was very well cared for and used by only one person.

My hope is that others will come foward and share their Apple computer video display problems. It is important to send Apple a CERTIFIED LETTER to formally notify it about the problem. Consumers should take nothing for granted and document everything. They should also use the internet to link with others who are similarly-affected. That way, the corporation cannot claim ignorance about the problems that surface.

Thank you for letting me know if you have had a similar problem to the one I describe.

Charlene Blake
cblake@erols.com
charleneblake@cox.net

[JKT]

Your LCD backlight failed. It happens. It isn't a common problem (other than being something that LCD backlights eventually do due to age) for that model Mac. It was outside warranty*. It's harsh but there is nothing Apple will do and there is nothing you can do about it other than to hook up a new monitor to your iMac (IIRC, that model does support video mirroring) or get a new computer.

* If you had actually done something about it at the time it failed, Apple might have taken sympathy and replaced it for free if it was only just outside the warranty period, but wouldn't have been obliged to. However, after nearly a year of not doing anything about it, you are SOL.

[analogika]

**** happens. Stuff breaks. It's fixable.