[andretan]

Hi all, my sis has an iBook 700 (same as mine, Nov 02 model) and only recently, she noticed that when she tilts the screen back more than 80 degrees), the screen goes black.

It's a video problem, BUT can it be a cause of a faulty logic board?

The iBook is out of warranty 3 months ago and has no 3-year AppleCare Protection.

We brought it in to AppleCare yesterday, and was informed today that she has to pay for the repairs, and that it's a "ribbon problem".

But didn't quite a number of G3 iBook users experience the same thing and that's why Apple had the logic board replacement program?

History of that iBook:
Thing is, the iBook has had quite a number of problems since we took it back since day 2.
I've sent it in for her no less than 3 times during the 1st year warranty:
1. Airport card problem
2. Airport card (again)
3. Harddisk acts up, but a clean install did OK, until a few weeks later

I'm not in USA, so suing or some class action stuff won't exactly work, I want some advice.

No flames please. Just asking for advice only.

Thanks.

[natan]

It's funny that you post this now. Just last week I started having exactly the same problem with my iBook/700 (May 2002 model), except mine goes black at around 45 degrees, and won't come back on until I put it to sleep and wake it up again.

Fortunately, I do have AppleCare

[mishakim]

the screen blanking at certain angles is a well-known problem, resulting from damage to the wire providing power to the backlight inverter where it goes through the hinge. Some logic board problems also apparently cause backlight problems, but as far as I've read, whenever the angle matters, it's the wire.

The repair involves replacing the inverter cable and reed switch (Apple part # 922-5017), which requires completely disassembling the iBook. (it's frequently referred to as just the reed switch cable, but as far as I can tell, the reed switch is just one of the things on that cable, and is not otherwise related to the problem)

A good web page summarizing the fix is http://www.smeed.org/4189 . The links there provide additional details, including some sources for the part (on the Apple Discussions link)

In my case, the screen goes dark any time I move it forward, but returns if I slowly move it rearward. It also goes out if the iBook shakes, like in the car. I've been putting off the repair, but am finally going to do it. I ordered the part just this morning from SmallDog. They offered to do the repair, 2 hours labor at 87.50/ hr, which is a good price, but I'm going to do it myself and add a new HD while I'm at it.

[natan]

Originally posted by mishakim:
In my case, the screen goes dark any time I move it forward, but returns if I slowly move it rearward. It also goes out if the iBook shakes, like in the car. I've been putting off the repair, but am finally going to do it. I ordered the part just this morning from SmallDog. They offered to do the repair, 2 hours labor at 87.50/ hr, which is a good price, but I'm going to do it myself and add a new HD while I'm at it.

Mine was like that for about a month or two, but now it completely turns off once it push it past 45 degrees, and if it bring it forward it still remains off. This started without any major movement/change to the hinge on my part.

[pat++]

Same problem here (iBook 500). Dark screen (sometimes), come back if I close/open the lid. Airport signal becomes weak also when the screen is pushed past 50°...

[druber]

The story I've heard jives with the wire to the LCD being worn, causing the screen to go black. Sometimes, with enough wear, this causes a short, which can kill the logic board. If you can't pay for a repair, move the hinge as little/infrequently as possible. No easy way out, if you aren't under warranty.