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smtpgeek · Mar 18, 2005, 04:31 PM

hello-

I have a Ti G4 powerbook(dvi) that will not display to the screen, besides a screen full of white. The machine boots up, but only shows to the external display. I got this computer like this....broken so you will understand this next comment. When the computer boots and as I am looking at the external monitor, I do not see any thing besides a white screen. After about 30 seconds, the login screen just appears. The question is....shouldn't there be some type of display activity between pushing the power button and seeing the login screen? I thought that this was out of the ordinary so I thought to mention it. If not, then I am hoping I can diagnose the screen issue.

I am trying to rule out the inverter, or the cable before I replace the LCD.

thanks,
Bob

Detrius · Mar 19, 2005, 09:06 AM

So, once you get to the login window, the internal display works?

The important detail is that the screen is white, which is the native color of an LCD (while the native color of a CRT is black). If the screen is white, that means that the LCD is receiving no information about what to do. This usually means a bad LCD, but could also mean bad logic board.

smtpgeek · Mar 19, 2005, 01:42 PM

Can you comment on the LCD cable in this situation? Will a bad cable do this? Or, can we conclude that the cable is good if we have a white screen? This is terribly important as the cable is much cheaper and obvious since the hinge is broken.

thanks,
Bob

olePigeon · Mar 19, 2005, 07:44 PM

Will the Hardware Test CD catch anything to do with the video signal?

smtpgeek · Mar 20, 2005, 12:03 PM

You know, I am not sure if I am not exhibitng the proper forum etiquette when I present this but I do not have a hardware CD. I ended up throughing the OS and hardware dics out with the box that my used computer was shipped in. Dumb move. THe etiquette part comes in when I offer to trade someone blank cd's or dvds for a copy of the hardware test cd. Losing the OS, isn't that big of an upset since it was 10.2 and I would like to have 10.3. Please contact me offlist as I know this can be a sensitive issue for some.

I am very excited to be migrating to a mac. I am soooo sick of windows causing me anguish on a daily basis. I feel a sense of serenity when using MacOSX. Hard to describe.

Detrius · Mar 20, 2005, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by smtpgeek:
Can you comment on the LCD cable in this situation? Will a bad cable do this? Or, can we conclude that the cable is good if we have a white screen? This is terribly important as the cable is much cheaper and obvious since the hinge is broken.

thanks,
Bob

Yes, a bad cable can cause this. In fact, a completely unplugged cable *will* cause a white screen.

The downside here is that on the TiBooks, the display assembly is glued together. This is not a repair you'll be able to do yourself. I'll admit even that replacing just the cable is a repair that I can't do myself. I don't have the know-how or the equipment. I tried it once, and it wasn't pretty.

The Apple Hardware Test won't help you here.

smtpgeek · Mar 20, 2005, 03:50 PM

Well actually, I have it apart as we speak. It is a bit overwhelming at first, but a little patience and research on the web are invaluable. I got everything apart without ruining the trim and Ti. What I need now is to locate a LCD cable.

Can anyone recommend a place to purchase or sell me a LCD cable? Actually I need to get some hinges also. That will be an ebay item, but the cable will not.

-Bob

olePigeon · Mar 20, 2005, 11:21 PM

http://www.pbparts.com/

I don't know what their prices are like, but they're likely to have what you're looking for.

olePigeon · Mar 20, 2005, 11:26 PM

Ouch, nevermind. $200 for just the hinges. $300 for the cable.

Might as well buy a mini.

romeosc · Mar 21, 2005, 08:00 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
Ouch, nevermind. $200 for just the hinges. $300 for the cable.

Might as well buy a mini.

It's a free repair if you had Safeware Insurance!

romeosc · Mar 21, 2005, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
Ouch, nevermind. $200 for just the hinges. $300 for the cable.

Might as well buy a mini.

I'll give you $50 for it

smtpgeek · Mar 21, 2005, 10:05 PM

you'd give me $50 for the laptop? How kind of you.

This laptop will be running soon enough....mark them words brother! I will have to invest a bit into it for the hinges and LCD cable, but it is better than paying someone to fix it for me.