[Hopester1968]

I bought my G4 titanium just under 20 months ago.
15 months ago the screen started to split apart at the rhs hinge.

Apple replaced the screen foc under warranty.
About 13 months ago I started to get the black screen (no backlight) if I moved or adjusted the screen. Putting the machine to sleep and restarting it usually solved the problem.

Eventually the problem got worse and on calling Apple technical support I was told that it was tough luck as it was out of warranty (even on the new screen too) and directed me to my local Apple reseller and repair shop. (Jigsaw Systems http://www.jigsaw24.com/ )

These guys took a look at it and told me it was the inverter board and not actually the backlight as I thought.

The inverter board was replaced and I got a bill for £69 (about $120) and a tested (allegedly) laptop back.

I got the laptop home only to find that the laptop was still the same and if i moved the screen it still went black .

The unit went back and I was told that the lcd would need to be replaced at a cost of £350 ($600) and that the inverter board wasn't the problem after all (despite the fact that they were supposed to have tested it!).

After much arguing I got my laptop back and the promise of a full refund (still waiting on that!)

Having read other peoples problems with the same issue (surely just the tip of the iceberg), surely it's time Apple shouldered their responsiblities and recalled/repaired these items free of charge.

I have pushed a lot of my hard earned cash Apple's way over the years and i expect something I spend a SUBSTANTIAL amount of money on to last more than 20 months.

With new software developments (Indesign) I'll have to think long and hard before I purchase another Mac

[markponcelet]

Are you sure it isn't just the data cable running to the LCD? Apple reps will tell you that you have to replace the whole LCD to get a replacement cable, but that isn't entirely true. I had a data cable go bad in an iBook and replaced it with a generic data cable. Same symptoms, cheap repair.

It was a little work to figure out which cable was appropriate for my computer, but man, lots cheaper than buying a new "head" for the laptop.

Mark

[romeosc]

Originally posted by markponcelet:
Are you sure it isn't just the data cable running to the LCD? Apple reps will tell you that you have to replace the whole LCD to get a replacement cable, but that isn't entirely true. I had a data cable go bad in an iBook and replaced it with a generic data cable. Same symptoms, cheap repair.

It was a little work to figure out which cable was appropriate for my computer, but man, lots cheaper than buying a new "head" for the laptop.

Mark

If you had Safeware insurance and had ever dropped it it would be covered!

[markponcelet]

Originally posted by romeosc:
If you had Safeware insurance and had ever dropped it it would be covered!

Okay, okay, okay. I'll go read about safeware. Everybody talks about it so much that I think I should at least understand it.

[KeriVit]

Originally posted by markponcelet:
Are you sure it isn't just the data cable running to the LCD? Apple reps will tell you that you have to replace the whole LCD to get a replacement cable, but that isn't entirely true. I had a data cable go bad in an iBook and replaced it with a generic data cable. Same symptoms, cheap repair.

It was a little work to figure out which cable was appropriate for my computer, but man, lots cheaper than buying a new "head" for the laptop.

Mark

I'm trying to do that with my iBook. Can you provide any guidance/directions?

pleeeeaasee!

[KeriVit]

Originally posted by Hopester1968:


With new software developments (Indesign) I'll have to think long and hard before I purchase another Mac [/B]

What does that have to do with the Mac?

[markponcelet]

Originally posted by KeriVit:
I'm trying to do that with my iBook. Can you provide any guidance/directions?

pleeeeaasee!

No prob.

From what I remember of it, I had to look at the LCD panel itself and get the serial number. For my model (the 300 mhz clamshell), there were two different LCD panels that Apple had used.

Luckily for me, the person I bought the cable from just had to look up the LCD panel and see which data cable went with it. That simple.

[KeriVit]

Originally posted by markponcelet:
No prob.

From what I remember of it, I had to look at the LCD panel itself and get the serial number. For my model (the 300 mhz clamshell), there were two different LCD panels that Apple had used.

Luckily for me, the person I bought the cable from just had to look up the LCD panel and see which data cable went with it. That simple.

OK. Good. I can do that... Now how do I replace the cable?

[markponcelet]

Originally posted by KeriVit:
OK. Good. I can do that... Now how do I replace the cable?

Oh, it was a breeze. Hardest thing was getting into the stoopid clamshell to reach it.

You unplug one end from the motherboard (carefully!) and the other end from the back of the LCD. Lots of tape, but otherwise it's a very straightforward procedure.

I can't figure out what it is you need. Swapping out the cable was really easy. If I'm missing something, let me know.

[KeriVit]

Originally posted by markponcelet:
Oh, it was a breeze. Hardest thing was getting into the stoopid clamshell to reach it.

You unplug one end from the motherboard (carefully!) and the other end from the back of the LCD. Lots of tape, but otherwise it's a very straightforward procedure.

I can't figure out what it is you need. Swapping out the cable was really easy. If I'm missing something, let me know.

I have the white G3 iBook- maybe that's the problem.