[ansobu]

I have just aquired an early model macbook. Everytime I restart, I get intermittent video, with no backlit. The computer boots fine, if I hit some keys, I can see the image on the screen with a flashlight, but after 10-15 seconds...it dissapears again. I have tried all of the basic troubleshooting, like resetting the PRAM, the power management and so on, to no avail. I have also tried to google this problem, to no avail. As far as I can tell, nobody else is having this type of trouble. I am a college student who really needs a laptop....can anyone help? Thanks!!

EDIT-
I'd like to add that when the video goes away, the laptop goes to sleep...again, I've reset the power manager...HELP!!

[ibook_steve]

Welcome to the forums!

Do you know the history of this machine? There could be a problem with the video and/or backlight cables. Any visible damage?

What happens with an external display attached?

Steve

[ansobu]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

Welcome to the forums!

Do you know the history of this machine? There could be a problem with the video and/or backlight cables. Any visible damage?

What happens with an external display attached?

Steve

I bought this from a guy at school here...it was working when I purchased it, but 3 weeks later, it craps out! No visible damage, and when I hook up my external monitor the thing still goes to sleep, BUT I have video. I'm pretty computer literate, but this is throwing me threw some hoops! Thanks for th quick response!

[ansobu]

Ok...I've done some research, and it appears that the sleep function is controlled by a "reed switch". Others have been able to somehow reset there reed switch...I cannot however find any reference to where the reed switch is located on the macbook models.