[Andy8]

The backlight in my iBook now only works at a few angles, not through the whole tilt of the screen and the backlight cuts out now and then even when it does work on those few spots. My iBook (icebook duel usb) is way out of warranty, is there some repair or check I can make myself to the backlight to make it last a few more months until i get a replacement?

[mark2]

Hi, This is apparently a common problem with ibooks. Here's a bunch of information I have collected. Hope it helps you get your computer repaired. Other that this problem, the ibooks are great.


http://www.onda-media.com/jani/ibook/

This URL deals with a user's attempts to repair the screen on his iBook. It was intermittently going black and, eventually, would not come back on.
The problem is that the monitor cable is fed from the chassis of the iBook, through the hinge, to the screen. Apparently, in time, some of the wires in the group sill fray, or, wear all the way through causing the intermittent flickering and, eventual loss of the display.
=====================
Having video problems on that iBook, maybe this will help...

-----------

This may be of some help to a few suffering with video problems on the dual USB iBook.

From a Small Dog Newsletter:

A video issue with the dual USB iBook has been brought to my attention by several customers. A gentleman by the name of Barry Sharp had an iBook with failing video. He posted a link at Apple Discussions and was overwhelmed by the responses. It's quite a story.

http://discussions.info.apple.com/We...I.4@.3bb8aa5f/

Many others had the same problem with their iBooks. To make a long story short, it appears that the reed switch assembly needed to be replaced. Several customers contacted us to get the part. I worked with a customer to find the right part at the Apple site.

From Apple Discussions:
"To whoever mentioned Small Dog Computers, THANKS!!! I had traced the problem down to a cable going to the LCD. Called them up at 802-496-7171 and got the Tech department. Wasn't sure which cable so they put an iBook up on a live camera feed so I could identify it. It was the blasted reed switch cable. Cost with shipping $27.00. For someone three hours away from an Apple certified repair technician, Small Dog is a God Send!!! Mike"

+--------------------+

If you want to dive in and attempt the repair yourself (and you feel OK about taking the whole iBook apart), getting the part should resolve the issue that everyone has been talking about.

922-5017 PCEBA, Reed Switch with Cable for Dual USB iBook - just $20 (plus $7 for 3-day shipping within the continental US)

To order: http://www.smalldog.com/wag5550302/

+--------------------+

====================

Hi,

Nice to hear from you. The whole machine must be taken apart to get
to the motherboard cable. Or actually you can reach the plug through
the memory slot, but that does not help us

Anyway I think the procedure was not that hard. The plastic of the
shell is pretty durable, so I would not worry too much about it
breaking to pieces. I used a plastic comb as a tool, metallic tools
will probably make your case look like it's been ran over by a truck.
Just remember common sense when prying the shell off When you get
the shell of it gets easier, just keep good track of your screws.

As general advice I would say that keep animals, woolen clothes, etc.
far away. Static electricity could kill some components. And be extra
careful when handling the TFT element. I was lucky not to cause any
dead pixels, etc. on it.

I hope this was of some use to you. Hope you'll get your machine
fixed! It's always a better option to replace the cable, so if you
live in the states I suggest you try to get a hold of one. Happy
holidays!

--
Jani
===========

[Andy8]

Does anyone know where I could download a service manual from, as the link provided is dead.

I will have to get some tiny tools before attempting this, or does simeone suggest just buying the cable and replacing it, instead of repairing...

[Mastrap]

It really depends on how happy you are with taking your iBook apart. I swapped my 20GB drive for a 40GB one and it was relatively easy.

[ewiser]

I contacted Small Dog about getting a part and posted to the Apple iBook board with the part # and repair. While it was time consuming the repair was sucessful. The way the cables are ran is the problem,Thye can become easliy pinched by the hinges.

[escher]

Yup. This problem is indeed caused by the backlight cable, which is part of the Reed Switch assembly, being pinched in the hinge. I was too afraid to repplace the Reed Switch on my own, so the repair from Apple cost me $300 (out of warranty).

mark2: Thanks for posting all that information. In retrospect, I could probably have done it myself. But Apple fixed a bunch of other things with the same repair, so I'm not complaining. Still, the pinched backlight cable is a design flaw, which Apple should fix for free!

BTW: The Apple thread linked above ("At 30 deg screen goes black") was helpful in diagnosing my problem before I sent in my iBook for repair and confirms that this design flaw is causing widespread problems.

Escher

[jtc]

Is it necessary to get this fixed right away? I sent my iBook in to fix the CD and hard drive, and it came back with an even worse problem (the backlight going out at certain angles). I won’t be able to send it in to get it repaired for a couple of weeks – is there any chance of worse damage if I keep using it like this?

[escher]

Originally posted by jtc:
Is it necessary to get this fixed right away? I sent my iBook in to fix the CD and hard drive, and it came back with an even worse problem (the backlight going out at certain angles). I won’t be able to send it in to get it repaired for a couple of weeks – is there any chance of worse damage if I keep using it like this?

The backlight problem did get worse over the course of several months for me. In the end I could barely open my iBook without cutting off the backlight.

If you can still use your iBook, however, there's no harm in waiting. The only thing I would point out is that Apple repairs come only with 90-day parts and labor warranty. So if you are out of your original 1-year warranty and don't have AppleCare, you need to send your iBook back to Apple within that 90-day period. Otherwise you'll have to pay for a second repair.

Escher

[jtc]

Originally posted by escher:
The only thing I would point out is that Apple repairs come only with 90-day parts and labor warranty. So if you are out of your original 1-year warranty and don't have AppleCare, you need to send your iBook back to Apple within that 90-day period. Otherwise you'll have to pay for a second repair.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know the repair had a 90 day warranty. I can wait a bit longer to send it back (my 1 year warranty is up in about 3 weeks).

[escher]

Originally posted by jtc:
Thanks for the info. I didn't know the repair had a 90 day warranty. I can wait a bit longer to send it back (my 1 year warranty is up in about 3 weeks).

With only 3 weeks to go, I wouldn't tempt your luck, jtc. I'd send it in now and buy AppleCare as well.

Remember: Don't play with fire, or you're likely to get burned.

Escher

[John2583]

I have a similar problem. The display flickers, more and more as the computer has been on longer. Eventually the backlight just turns off unless I press on left side of the touch pad area. I took it all apart and found that messing w/ the wires in the hinge area does not affect the backlight. I think the reed switch/cable is not the problem. When I press on part of the alluminum chassis so as to flex the motherboard on the left side, the backlight comes on. There is another cable that connects to the motherboard and goes through the left side of the hinge near where I press the mobo to make the backlight come back on. This is obviously a common problem. My iBook is out of warranty. I have a 600Mhz 12" Here is a picture to illustrate what I'm talking about:
http://john.brier.name/images2/album...099_edited.jpg
You can see more pictures of my iBook, and dissasembly here:http://John.Brier.name/gallery/ibook