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Godzilla · May 31, 2003, 10:15 AM

Before I explain the 'what', 'where', 'when' and why (and perhaps 'how'), I must start off with the 'who'.

The Who: I'm not blaming Apple, I'm blaming myself

, which is why I came here in order to find a solution, if any, at little to no cost.

The What: They're annoying multi-colored lines that seems to be multiplying every time I move my ti powerbook 400's display. They also change colors. As of now, there are three columns, and then 3-5 lines within the columns.

The Where: I can't really answer this unless you want to know where the lines are on the display; column number 1 is about 7 inches starting from the left side of the display. Column number 2 is around 8.4 inches from the left side of the display. Column number 3 is around 9.8 inches from the left side of the display.

The When: This all began when I traveled with my computer abroad

. After the first line was born, I stopped traveling with it, and is now a "lasktop" (a laptop acting as desktop). I also should say that the latch at the top of the screen is cracked, and can no longer close. My fault as well. I think I was too harsh when I closed my powerbook.

The Why: This is once again, probably because I was a bit too rough.

The Sometimes How: Explained in The Why and The When.

The Solution: The solution I found was to buy a new display from PBParts.com, for around $1049.00, but that's too much for me, and If I were to pay that much, I'd just add a little more and get a new computer as a whole.

The Pictures: I'll take some shots and post them on ASAP.

The Last Word..(s):

Don't be stupid like me! I'm sure you've finished reading this, and saying "this guys dumb!", and I agree! I'm also sure you all treat your powerbooks with care, but for those of you who don't, you'll regret it imensly (no brainer).

The Cry for Help: If anyone out there has had a similar problem or know how to fix this problem, any information would be appreciated.

Godzilla · May 31, 2003, 10:18 AM

May I also note that when I hold the display above where the columns are, and I use my thumb to push the display forward while I pull with the rest of my fingers, the display towards me... the colums disappear.

mrmister · May 31, 2003, 10:47 AM

Your display may be fine, actually--it sounds like the cable is getting pinched on the way to the display.

I take you don't have AppleCare, or it has run out, eh?

I'd suggest getting it looked at by a dealer...they'll usually assess a problem w/o charging anything. Then you'll be more informed.

Godzilla · May 31, 2003, 10:57 AM

You mean I still have a slight chance of fixing this geezer of a mac?

Nice.

Where would you suggest I bring it to?

By the way, thank you.

iWrite · May 31, 2003, 07:17 PM

Easy solution:

Just have an Apple Store (which is what I recommend personally) fix the cable. That's all it is.

Then take it into CompUSA and see if they'll sell you the $349 laptop protection plan. Yes, they sell it on used systems as long as they're in good working order when they examine them.

If they can't sell you the laptop -- I mean lasktop (VERY funny BTW) -- protection plan then sell it on eBay and get yourself a good used iBook with a 14-inch screen.

Put it up for $999 "as is" and spend an extra $250 and pick up an open-box 14-inch 800Mhz iBook at an Apple Store for only $1259. I just bought one and that's how much it was.

Good luck.

BkueKanoodle · May 31, 2003, 11:55 PM

I had a Sony laptop that was doing the exact same thing, and if you pushed on a certain area they would go away for awhile. feeling adventurous, and bored, I took the back case off the screen, turns out right where I was pushing to make the lines stop was where the connector was. I gave the connector a good shove, and the lines went away. I took a piece of electrical tape, taped the connector in place, and never had the problem again.

Godzilla · Jun 1, 2003, 08:31 PM

Well the question about doing what BkueKanoodle did with his Sony laptop is if it'll work on such a fragile geezer as my TiBook 400.

I can't really afford to spend around $1200 on a monitor, so the risky, yet probably doable task of ripping off this geezer's back and giving it a nice shove really appeals to me.

What would you people say?

?

Godzilla · Jun 1, 2003, 08:44 PM

iWrite's solution also sounds appealing, but when I went to the Apple store today, the so-called "genius" at the Apple "Genius" Bar said "send it to Apple," and went trotting off to another dude in distress.

Next time I go, I'll ask if they can fix the cable problem, if it IS a cable problem.

Another thing, what does the lasktop protection plan do...besides "protecting" it?

Lastly, no ones gunna buy this TiGeezer400 for $999. Especially not with 5 columns on the display, yes, that's right:

NEWS UPDATE: I've got 5 colums! Now in (delicious) rainbow color (flavors)! The two new borns are about 1.5 and 3.4 inches left from the "number 1 column."

Now I've only got this little space on the left side of my display which is still "safe." I've literally got 14-15 windows stacked over eachother in the "safe zone" so the lines don't cover them.

OpenStep · Jun 1, 2003, 08:55 PM

Apple should be able to fix it for $320 I think. They were able to fix my backlight for that much, as far as I can tell that was a flat fee. They ended up replacing the logic board, inverter, lcd, keyboard (guess a dim display was more than a bad backlight bulb).

Stinkysteve · Jun 1, 2003, 09:00 PM

I had the same problems with my Pismo display, they went away after squeezing the diaplay where the connection is made.
You can read similar problems here: http://discussions.info.apple.com/we...vf.4@.3bb869bc

I had a link to where someone placed and taped in a folded Post It sheet behind the connection to make the problem go away, but the "nice people" at Apple deleted the post.

If you need a repair, these guys seem reasonable: http://www.pbparts.com/
I found them mentioned on a thread here last year when I was having my problem.

Godzilla · Jun 1, 2003, 10:42 PM

Oh, I wish someone knew the technique that involves what Stinkysteve said about the Post-It and what not. I read the entire discussions, the result: Nothing, except perhaps I do need to buy a new display.

Note that I don't have AppleCare, nor am I under warrenty, which means I can't fix the computer's display for $320.

Any other solutions? I don't know what to do, and seeing as my display is a gonner anyway, does anyone know the "Post-It" method?

SOS.

swsteckly · Jun 2, 2003, 12:49 AM

If it is the connector, it's easily accessible. Just take off the back cover, and it's the thin, wide connector along with top with lots of tiny multicolored wires coming out of it. Might be worth checking out. Good luck.

Godzilla · Jun 2, 2003, 06:13 AM

Perhaps I will, but then again... it's glued in place. However, since the top part of my display is loose, and I can just stretch it open enough to take a peek, I see what you're talking about.

I'm definately going to open this thing though, concidering I'm not going to be able to fix it without paying $1200~, and that's just crazy. I know where to purchase a screwdriver that will open this up, I know what the cable looks like...but still remains one problem:

What do I do with it when I open up the back of the display? So far, I've only read that you can give it a good shove, but what am I supposed to shove? What is the Sony laptop and the Tibook are different, which they might be? What do I do with the cables in that case?

Powerbook · Jun 2, 2003, 10:21 AM

Check if your Video Data Cable (VDC) was damaged by a broken part of the hinge. A new panel is only the last solution!
(This could in some cases be caused by a faulty logic board also)

Regards,
PB.

iWrite · Jun 2, 2003, 10:57 AM

Perhaps I will, but then again... it's glued in place. However, since the top part of my display is loose, and I can just stretch it open enough to take a peek, I see what you're talking about.

That sounds, er, kind of alarming, to be honest.

I certainly wouldn't suggest "stretching" any part of a Powerbook.

Anyway, good luck to you!

Godzilla · Jun 2, 2003, 01:21 PM

Well considering my TiBook is broken anyway, what's the difference? Maybe I'll bash it open. But STILL! What am I going to do with the cables?

ibookuser2 · Jun 2, 2003, 05:26 PM

Either the cable will be loose, pinched, or damaged, or you've got a dying panel or logic board.

If there's no physical damage apparent and you can't see anything pinching it (look closely around the hinges) try just reseating it in its socket.

If it's pinched somewhere, try to move it so it's not pinched, and hope it hasn't been damaged.

If the cable has been damaged in some way (punctured, cut, torn) you'll have to find a new cable.

You can always boot the computer with the back of the display off and see if you can fiddle with it and locate the problem. Just be careful around the backlight/inverter cables, they're usually fairly thick wires that are pink and white, those carry some pretty nasty voltage when the thing's on.

If that still doesn't work, you *could* always just buy a cheap monitor for it and plug it into the VGA port, seeing as you're using it as a desktop already...