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EnVoy · Feb 2, 2006, 05:43 PM

So, the screen on the iBook (G3 500mhz) went dark. The computer otherwise works fine, boots up, and if you shine a flashlight on the screen you can see it working fine. An external monitor works fine.

I took it to the local Mac repair place, they diagnosed it to "be the backlight, and it has to be sent to apple, who has a flat $350 repair fee". Since this iBook was given to me free, I really dont want to spend that much on fixing it. Can someone give me direction on how to replace the backlight? Or a link to a site on how to do it?

I have seen the backlight for sale here: http://www.wegenermedia.com/lcdpage.htm#tools Is that about right?

Thanks...

seanc · Feb 3, 2006, 04:43 PM

It's probably the reed switch/backlight cable. The same cable went bad on my iBook 500mhz and I experienced the same problems. Try replacing that cable first or getting your repair shop to do it.

EnVoy · Feb 3, 2006, 08:27 PM

It's probably the reed switch/backlight cable. The same cable went bad on my iBook 500mhz and I experienced the same problems. Try replacing that cable first or getting your repair shop to do it.

Got any tips for doing this, or a link to a site with instructions?

JoshKurtz · Feb 4, 2006, 12:27 AM

http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/50.0.0.html

This tells you how to get inside and unhook the display. I'm sure that with a little digging on that site you can propbably find something more specific to the reed switch/backlight cable.

chefpastry · Feb 4, 2006, 08:51 AM

A bad inverter board can also cause a screen to stay dark.

seanc · Feb 4, 2006, 12:15 PM

Yes, but on this model it is most likely the screen cable. As above, guides can be found at www.pbfixit.com You have to remove the display which involves dismantling the almost all of the iBook. Once you have the display off, take the four screws out of the sides of the display, pop the cover off and replace the cable.

I got my reed switch cable from www.ebay.co.uk but apparently you can get them from smalldog electronics.
With my new screen cable, I also got a new hinge cover. I presume the parts I got are what is used on the iBook G4's as my hinge cover was white with bigger holes for the screen cable and the screen cable was thinner compared to the old one.

Jerman · Feb 7, 2006, 04:56 PM

I have a similar issue on a 500 mhz dual USB model. Already replaced the invertor board and backliht, so I really don't know what to do. Any ideas?

seanc · Feb 8, 2006, 09:48 AM

Replace the reed switch/backlight cable

EnVoy · Feb 8, 2006, 12:02 PM

Well, ordered a new reed switch/cable and inverter board. I'll post back the results...

jamil5454 · Feb 8, 2006, 04:30 PM

It's almost never the backlight itself, but rather one of the backlight components.

And EnVoy, your signature is too large, 200x50 pixel image and one line of text is the maximum I believe.

EnVoy · Feb 8, 2006, 07:33 PM

And EnVoy, your signature is too large, 200x50 pixel image and one line of text is the maximum I believe.

Bahumbug!

jfghjk · Feb 10, 2006, 12:38 PM

I like fish.

EnVoy · Feb 19, 2006, 11:35 AM

Success!

A tip for anyone doing this, get the guide from PBFixit, and use the screw chart.

mshin22 · Mar 17, 2006, 10:29 AM

I have the same problem with my Ibook G3 (12 in, 700), and my warranty just ran out. I have ordered a reed switch cable from smalldog electronics, but before I take my computer apart, are there things I should know about static electricity control? and is it safe to use tools with magnetic tips or could that be harmful to any of the hardware parts?

seanc · Mar 17, 2006, 10:31 AM

Discharge yourself or static electricity by touching an unpainted metal surface.
Magnetic tipped screw drivers should do no harm but try to keep them away from the hard drive.

ntsmedia · Mar 28, 2006, 05:16 PM

I took it apart, But I still don't know how to get the reed switch out of the hinge. Could you please help? Thanks a bunch!

seanc · Mar 29, 2006, 08:49 AM

Are you using a disassembly guide like the one on ifixit? You need to remove the back of the display and then change out the reed switch cable etc

jamil5454 · Mar 29, 2006, 11:29 AM

Congrats EnVoy, it always feels good to disassemble a whole computer and having it working again afterwards

. It's also a good chance to put in a DVDRW drive and maybe a 7200 rpm hard drive too.

I find the 30 GB 4200 rpm drive in my 1.2 iBook G4 to be the biggest bottleneck, but I've got AppleCare until October 2007 so I'm going to wait until then before I do anything myself.