PowerBook G4 no LCD image

[meanmonk]

My Powerbook G4 has no image displayed. The backlight appears to work because the background has a bright light, but there is no image displayed. The laptop boots up but the image appears to be the only issue. The left hinge at the bottom of the lcd display is broken and I can't turn the hinge upwards, could that be why there is no image? As in the laptop still thinks the lcd is closed downwards?

 

[meanmonk]

based on what i've found on the web the left hinge on Powerbook G4s crack for a lot of users. Any ideas on what the problem could be?

 

[Yossairian]

Is it a 15" Ti ? I have seen those with the hinge cracked before. I think they fixed it on the AL models. Anyway, assuming it is, have you tried it docked ? Close the lid so it is in sleep, then hook a external video / w kb mouse to see if it boots up that way.

 

[meanmonk]

The laptop boots up fine but I can't see any image on the lcd screen. All I see is the lcd background lighted up but no image. I'm trying to find out which part would prevent the image from displaying because the backlight still works. Apparently the left cracked hinge won't turn so I don't know if that is forcing the laptop to think the lcd display is still closed. I also don't see any burnt or cut cables.

 

[Yossairian]

Well if you are getting backlight, I dont belive the powerbook "thinks" its lid is closed *sleep* since the backlight would go out in that situation. Your problem sounds a bit more... expensive. Maybe a panel or connection with the base ? Do you live near an apple store ? If so you could take it to the genius bar there. They are usually pretty good at diagnosing that stuff, and will in most cases do it for free.

 

[meanmonk]

There's an apple store not too far from me. I wanted to fix it myself but they're somewhat different from Acer laptops which I'm more familiar with fixing. I'll try it, was just a lil weary of getting charged 100 bucks just to diagnose my issue and 500 bucks to fix it like most tech shops do these days.

I hear there's something called a technician's manual. Where can one find that? If I knew where each part was located I could probably figure out the cause. For sure I know it's not the backlight cuz that keeps blinking at me...thanks anyways

 

[Yossairian]

Originally posted by: meanmonk
There's an apple store not too far from me. I wanted to fix it myself but they're somewhat different from Acer laptops which I'm more familiar with fixing. I'll try it, was just a lil weary of getting charged 100 bucks just to diagnose my issue and 500 bucks to fix it like most tech shops do these days.

I hear there's something called a technician's manual. Where can one find that? If I knew where each part was located I could probably figure out the cause. For sure I know it's not the backlight cuz that keeps blinking at me...thanks anyways

I know what you mean about the diagnosis charge. They work a little bit different, its more like advice. There is no charge just to have them take a look at it. Of course if you have it fixed that will be a different story. I think the 15" displays cost about $800, but if you determine that is the problem and can fix it yourself, im sure it would be less.

There are quire a few sites out there w/ disassembly and repair info. Check macnn.com or spymac forums would be a good starting point.

The tech manuals I have heard are pretty pricey, but you might be able to find a copy via torrent or limewire if you do that sort of thing.

 

[meanmonk]

Do you know what the cable that connnects from the back upper side of the lcd screen through the left hinge to the motherboard is called? according to the apple tech support, that is that cable feeds image from the motherboard to the screen and that's the cable in the left broken hinge. The cable does appear a lil twisted from the broken hinge and also somewhat fried. However apple does not sell parts individually to anyone, they want a hefty sum to fix that and replace a bunch of other things i'm not interested in having replaced because they look fine to me. I find that ridiculous...

I'm sure apple laptops r great and all however I am beginning to see why many people don't like them. If you're a technical person that likes to do ur own stuff they're quite frustrating to attempt to work around...

 

[meanmonk]

any ideas?

 

[Yossairian]

No sorry, best guess would be to try and post on some apple message boards to see if someone may be parting one out. There are several 3rd party mac repair companies that may have the part you are after.

A couple from memory and bookmarks:
www.megamacs.com
www.macofalltrades.com
www.shrevesystems.com
www.powerbookrestore.com
www.pbfixit.com

most of those are 3rd party repair sites, but I believe most if not all will sell you parts.

Good luck,