[matvon]

Hi all,

My Pismo developed the dreaded pink tinge, then went red, then started flickering and died. I'm pretty sure the backlight is out.

Since this happened, I bought a new 17" for my own use. However, I am exploring repairing this machine for my wife's usage, as she currently limps along on a rev A iMac (which we'd like to give to our daughter anyway).

I'm aware of the option for replacing it myself, which I estimate will cost around $250.00. However, I am worried about totally frobbing the Powerbook - then where would I be? What are people's experiences with Apple, PowerbookGuy, and Powerbook ResQ? I'm looking for what service agent will likely give the best price to repair this baby.

One thing to consider is that I am not entirely opposed to buying her a very low end iBook (as long as it has a DVD player she'll be happy), so that's my other alternative - I just hate to see my beloved Pismo gather dust.

Thanks...

[PBAddict]

I have a Pismo too and love it, however at this stage too replace an LCD is probably just to expensive to be justified. I would probably use the Pismo as a Firewire drive, or hook it up to an external monitor.

[scadboy]

I did it myself back in january when my pismo's lcd kicked the bucket. The replacement panel cost less than $200, and I installed it myself in less than half an hour. I did a webpage about the experience, and have received correspondance from about fifty other people who have replaced their pismo's dead lcd panel themselves as well.

http://homepage.mac.com/scadboy/lcd/

it's much easier to do than it seems, I'm not a terribly technical person, nor have I ever done this sort of thing before. I just decided to give it a try (since I really couldn't afford to have it repaired professionally, or to buy a new machine).

I've got a listing of different compatible lcd panels, as well as links to current ebay auctions for those panels. The going favorite right now among people who have replaced the panel themselves is the LP141XB, it has a much brighter backlight than the original equipement and is super sharp.

As far as having it done professionally, when I priced it out, apple wanted about $1000, and everyone else wanted between $500 and 800.

Oh hey, one more thing. Your particular problem, where the display goes pink, then red, then eventually totally dark, that's actually from the backlight ccfc going dead, it doesn't require a complete replacement of the panel, but rather the flourescent tube inside the panel. These can be had for less than $20, but they are a little more difficult to install. The panel requires a 292mm x 2mm bulb, model #BF20292. Which is about $15 or so, plus shipping, from

http://www.jkllamps.com/laptop.html

There's no documented procedure for replacing the backlight bulb, and I, in fact, haven't tried it myself. But a few people have written to me about their experiences in doing so. It's a little tricky, certainly harder than just replacing the who panel, but at less than $20, it's one tenth the cost, and it's really all that NEEDs to be done, in your case. Unfortuneately, few service providers will go to the trouble just to replace the bulb.

good luck!