[GalxcBaby]

2 year-old MBP, never had a single problem prior. This just started two days ago. There is an inch and a half wide band on the right side of my screen that is messed (wrong colors, lines) though it still shows the outline of what it should. It sometimes goes back to normal for a few seconds before reverting to "messed up". The rest of the screen is fine.
What do I do? Can I fix it myself with some detailed instructions, or do I have to take it in? A screen replacement would suuuuck right now...

[GalxcBaby]

Can I keep using it in the time being, or will that make it worse?

[ibook_steve]

It's either the display cable (hopefully) or the GPU, probably not the panel. To test, attach to an external display. If your external display is fine, my guess would be a damaged cable. iFixit sells all sorts of parts, so they may be able to help you out if you're comfortable taking your machine apart.

Steve

[GalxcBaby]

Nope, Apple store, here I come! Thanks for the glimmer of hope, though.
So it's not going to damage my screen if I keep using it until it's fixed? (This is my only computer and my entire life revolves around it.)

[Waragainstsleep]

Cables can get worse through frequent opening and closing. GPUs faults will invariably get worse as time goes on. There is a chance its the panel too, in which case it might not get worse if you are gentle.

[GalxcBaby]

That would make sense, since I use it for class and am constantly opening/closing it.
It seems to depend on the angle that I position my screen. At certain positions it goes away or gets worse.

Thanks for the help.

[ibook_steve]

Originally Posted by GalxcBaby 

That would make sense, since I use it for class and am constantly opening/closing it.
It seems to depend on the angle that I position my screen. At certain positions it goes away or gets worse.

Thanks for the help.

Yup, definitely sounds like the cable.

Steve

[GalxcBaby]

I took it in to the store where they opened it, fiddled with the cables, and told me it needs a new screen. I cannot afford that! Could they be wrong? What if they are, I pay for a new screen, and it doesn't fix the problem?
Desperate to get it right the first time!

[GalxcBaby]

Also, I've notice that when it starts to go, if I tap to the right of the touch pad, it will return to normal for a while. It also helps if I gently hold the back of the left side of the screen, but it get worse if I touch the right side at all. (The problem is on the right side.)

Oh! And also, when I take a screen shot of the problem area, the picture is normal. Not sure if that means anything.

[Waragainstsleep]

Its the panel. Is it a Unibody? I don't know any particularly cheap ways to do those. Getting hold of a cheaper panel would be easy enough but you'd likely need a new piece of glass too, don't fancy your chances of getting that off in one piece.

[GalxcBaby]

Just wanted a second opinion before I invest in fixing it. Sigh... Thanks.

[Waragainstsleep]

You can get the panels for £100 but the glass is typically £75 over here.

Cheaper than Apple.