[RhythmKing]

I have an iBook 500Mhz with a backlight that goes out when I open it more than 45 degrees. I searching the forums I've come to realize that my backlight cable is probably frayed somewhere in there. I was wondering where I can get a new cable and also if there is a site that has a good step by step to getting into the hinge so I can replace it. OR maybe someone has an Apple service manual they want to send to me.

Thanks for your help,
Adam

[Mrjinglesusa]

Originally posted by RhythmKing:
I have an iBook 500Mhz with a backlight that goes out when I open it more than 45 degrees. I searching the forums I've come to realize that my backlight cable is probably frayed somewhere in there. I was wondering where I can get a new cable and also if there is a site that has a good step by step to getting into the hinge so I can replace it. OR maybe someone has an Apple service manual they want to send to me.

Thanks for your help,
Adam

iBook or Powerbook? I didn't think iBooks had backlights.

[RhythmKing]

iBook.

[SupahCoolX]

Originally posted by Mrjinglesusa:
iBook or Powerbook? I didn't think iBooks had backlights.

I think you're confusing the Powerbook's backlit keyboards to the backlight found in the screen.

[dbergstrom]

I believe SmallDog.com used to carry the part (otherwise known as a reed switch). It's about a $30 part. Search the forums - people have put up links about getting into your iBook.

Be prepared - it is not an easy task! It will probably take you 4-5 hours of white-knuckle terror.

One of the best suggestions I have read is to videotape the whole procedure of taking the iBook apart, and then replay it when you go to put the computer back together. That's the only way to keep track of the 60-70 tiny screws you'll be removing.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Originally posted by SupahCoolX:
I think you're confusing the Powerbook's backlit keyboards to the backlight found in the screen.

So the SCREEN goes out. By definition, all laptop computers have a backlit screen, is there any other way to light it?

[engaged]

Originally posted by RhythmKing:
maybe someone has an Apple service manual they want to send to me.

PM me your email address.

[RhythmKing]

Well, I'm in the process of ordering a new reed switch from SmallDog and getting a hold of an Apple Service Manual, so hopefully I can get the iBook apart, fixed and back together successfully.

Thanks for the help,
Adam

[Peter R H]

The main cause of backlight failure is the cable where it runs through the hinge. It may be the sleep switch cable or it may be the backlight power supply cable. I have posted much info to help others with this problem on Apple's Support Discussions - iBook, dual USB, Displays. Search there for links I have posted to manuals to help disassemble etc.

Most if not all dual USB iBooks will fail from this flaw if the display is closed a sufficient number of times. Many have had multiple failures due to the same cause in less than a year. Sadly, Apple is not acknowledging this widespread problem.

I have had a broken screen backlight cable where it passes through the hinge on the right hand side - late 2001 600MHz model. I proved the cause of the problem and fixed it myself and since October I have been posting the fix and trying to help others with the problem on
Apple Discussions - iBook Dual USB - Displays.

The diagnostic symptom is that the screen backlight goes off when the display is tilted back at certain angles. The backlight cable is fatiguing in the hinge and eventually breaking. When twisted and stretched it makes intermittent contact. The lid needs to be shut (put to sleep) and then reopened.

I am a scientist and I wire up electronic equipment and I have investigated this in detail. It is clearly a design fault. Any of the numerous wires through the hinge are subject to the problem - as well as the backlight it can also cause microphone problems, sleep reed switch, data display etc.

Many, many others (I have seen hundreds) have these failures as reported in Apple discussions such as;

Topic: RE: 90 degrees and black out!!!!
Topic: At 30 degs the screen goes black!
Topic: The Hilleard Fix: ...now, where's Apple
Topic: What's causing it?
Topic: Let's Count...Malfunctioning ibooks
Topic: RE: Ibook is black when opened, only works 80 deg

Currently, Macintouch has a survey going to assess the scale of the iBook logic board and display / hinge design flaws. I suggest if you want to get some action you should also go to
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php and post a comment there to reinforce that our problems are not just a few rare examples.

I am not much interested in class actions - I am a Mac fan since 1986 and I don't want to do Apple any harm. But I would like to help other users who have had the same problem I suffered. I know the frustration this failure causes.
The dual USB iBook problems are not rare incidents - any decent amount of research will show this.

To those who smugly claim they have not have a problem, I suggest that you open and close the display as infrequently as possible or you also will have the damaged hinge cable problem. (that is if the logic board problem doesn't get you first). BTW I my daughter and I otherwise love our iBook.

Good luck

[RhythmKing]

Originally posted by Peter R H:
The main cause of backlight failure is the cable where it runs through the hinge. It may be the sleep switch cable or it may be the backlight power supply cable. I have posted much info to help others with this problem on Apple's Support Discussions - iBook, dual USB, Displays. Search there for links I have posted to manuals to help disassemble etc.

...

Thanks for all of the info! In taking the iBook apart it is very apparent where it is getting pinched in the hinge. To make sure that I don't have to replace the cable again I'm going to shave away some of the plastic in the hinge so it has a little bit more room to move it there. This won't affect anything structuraly or functionaly with the machine, but it will serve to reduce the pressure on the cable and hopefully assure that this problem doesn't present itself again.

On the bright side, now that I have the bottom case off I'm going take out the white paint and paint it blue as I did with the top. There's not a warranty to worry about so why not!

-Adam