Hinge is stiff

Hi All,
my 12" pb is getting harder and harder to fold closed. I searched the archives and there was one similar post in may that was never answered.
I am worried about damaging the screen. When closed, the side next to the power cord is bowed.
I've checked ifixit.com and the hinge is part of the screen and one of the last things to remove.
Has this happened to you? I'm hoping you have an easy fix for me.
I recently had the hard drive replaced by techrestore and upgraded the ram myself. It is working well otherwise. When the pb came back from techrestore it had a thin green vertical line down the middle of the screen which went away by itself.
Thanks for your help,
Pam
Message was edited by: Pamela Allen

Pam:
Sorry It was probably damaged or worn in some weak point from earlier stresses.
Otherwise it works perfectly. I don't know if I should risk fixing it or just sell it for parts.
If it is working fine, I suggest that you buy the hinge and install it. Ask for directions when you purchase the hinge. Unfortunately the ifixit site seems to be down so I can't link directions for you.
It is likely too good a computer to sell for parts. Of course, if you are itching for something newer and more powerful...
Please do post back with an update or with further questions.
Cheers
cornelius

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Hi. I have a 2008 macbook pro 15.4 inch. Not abused but the hinge is stiff and the lid/ screen is starting to de-laminate at the bottom edge. Any ideas on how to make the hinge work a little more freely and how to re-seal the screen to the lid?

Hi. I have a 2008 macbook pro 15.4 inch. Not abused but the hinge is stiff and the lid/ screen is starting to de-laminate at the bottom edge. Any ideas on how to make the hinge work a little more freely and how to re-seal the screen to the lid?

When you have kernel panics, the pertinent information is in the panic report.
These instructions must be carried out as an administrator. If you have only one user account, you are the administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad and start typing the name.
In the Console window, select
DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION ▹ System Diagnostic Reports
(not Diagnostic and Usage Messages) from the log list on the left. If you don't see that list, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
There is a disclosure triangle to the left of the list item. If the triangle is pointing to the right, click it so that it points down. You'll see a list of reports. A panic report has a name that begins with "Kernel" and ends in ".panic". Select the most recent one. The contents of the report will appear on the right. Use copy and paste to post the entire contents—the text, not a screenshot.
If you don't see any reports listed, but you know there was a panic, you may have chosen Diagnostic and Usage Messages from the log list. Choose DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION instead.
In the interest of privacy, I suggest that, before posting, you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report, if it’s present (it may not be.)
Please don’t post other kinds of diagnostic report.
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Javascript in flash throwing IE pop up error

Im trying to open a new window in my browser from my swf
file. In my swf file i have this basic code:
on (press) {
getURL("javascript:NewWindow('/OutsideLinkWarning.cfm?ButtonText=Continue&LinkTo=http://ho me.clarkeamerican.com/www/reorder.cfm',
'Terms','590','350','no','no','no','no','no')");
When i click on the button when previewing the file in IE it
causes a pop-up error.
Other links throughout the site open a new window, leading to
the same page as the link above, using this code in the html page:
<area target="_blank"
onclick="NewWindow(this.href,'Terms','590','350','no','no','no','no','no');return
false;"
href="/OutsideLinkWarning.cfm?ButtonText=Continue&LinkTo=http://home.clarkeamerican.com/w ww/reorder.cfm"
a="" coords="3,219,166,245" shape="rect"/>
it works without any errors. Why would an error be thrown
through my flash swf?

The pop-up flash has a tiny catch-hook which holds it down. When the camera (or a manual operation) wants to pop it up, a solenoid release the catch-hook and the spring should pop it up.
You shoul hear the clicking sound of the solenoid releasing the catch a few times before the camera gives up and displays the error message.
It means the pop-up flash is jammed... possibly a bit of dust, sand, or gunk is gumming it up so it can't flip up.
Using your fingers, gently pull up on the flash either while pressing the flash pop-up button or just pressing the shutter button in a sitaution where the camera would call for flash.
Once opened, you can use a bit of compressed air on the hinge points to see if you can clear the problem. You'll probably notice the hinge is stiff and doesn't pop-up on its own.
I have seen suggestions to use WD40 -- but frankly wouldn't get that stuff near my camera. If there is gunk, you could use denatured alcohold to dissolve whatever is gumming up the works. The advantage of the alcohol is that it'll evaporate on its own.
Tim Campbell
5D II, 5D III, 60Da

IBook behaving oddly

A friend asked me to help with his failing iBook, a 12" 800MHz with 128Mb and an addition 256 ram chip. It's running 10.4.+ When it's picked up the screen breaks up and, disappears and generally displays a mass of vertical broken lines. My initial reaction was that it is a hard disk failure so I brought it into the office today to pop in a replacement. However, I firstly took out the 256 ram and thought that I try it without that first. All was well for an hour. I was able to run disk utility, repair disk etc. Then I saw that it was asking to update Safari so I let it only to find that 7/8ths through, it hung. Having rebooted it seems fine on the desk but to move it causes screen chaos. Now one of the most important tips here is that John pointed out that the date had defaulted to something like 01/01/1999. Having reset it last week, I noticed today, we were back in 1999. This indicates to me that the system battery is failing fast. Can this be replaced and if so, where is it? I have to say this iBook hasn't seen much action and visually it's like new. Before I reach for the spanners, has anyone experienced this before and can throw some light on the subject? Thanks, Barry

Hey Barry,
When it's picked up the screen breaks up and, disappears and generally displays a mass of vertical broken lines.
That's a classic graphics processor unit (GPU) problem. In the G3 it sits on the bottom under a square bump on the lower shield. You can put a shim in there to assure good contact.
A permanent fix would be to pull the logic board and send it out for reballing of the GPU. $79 at Superior in IL.
Having rebooted it seems fine on the desk but to move it causes screen chaos.
Right there's like 250 tiny "balls" of solder that hold that chip to the logic board they come loose due to board flexing. I feel this is exacerbated due to the hinges getting stiff.
Now one of the most important tips here is that John pointed out that the date had defaulted to something like 01/01/1999. Having reset it last week, I noticed today, we were back in 1999. This indicates to me that the system battery is failing fast. Can this be replaced and if so, where is it? I have to say this iBook hasn't seen much action and visually it's like new.
There isn't a PRAM battery in the iBook. This function is done by a super capacitor ( .22 Farads @ 5.5 V ) I have seen these fail in old iBooks.
They look like this:
http://site.mcminone.com/product/31-0750
but instead of end fed they're top and bottom w/ the top lead bent over to the opposite end.
These will only hold settings for 30 seconds or so. Long enough to change the battery. So if that's gone a small transient would cause the PMU to lose settings.
That would have nothing to do with the video problems you see however.
Richard
Message was edited by: spudnuty
Message was edited by: spudnuty

Built in flash doesn´t pop up

Hello, I have an EOS Rebel XS camera. The built in flash isn´t opening and teh follow message appear:
" Error 05 The built-in flash´s auto pop-up was obstructed. Turn de power switch to <OFF> and <ON> again."
I´ve tryed several times with no results. Is there something else I could do before taking the camera to the Service?
Thanks a lot!
Pedro
Solved!
Go to Solution.

The pop-up flash has a tiny catch-hook which holds it down. When the camera (or a manual operation) wants to pop it up, a solenoid release the catch-hook and the spring should pop it up.
You shoul hear the clicking sound of the solenoid releasing the catch a few times before the camera gives up and displays the error message.
It means the pop-up flash is jammed... possibly a bit of dust, sand, or gunk is gumming it up so it can't flip up.
Using your fingers, gently pull up on the flash either while pressing the flash pop-up button or just pressing the shutter button in a sitaution where the camera would call for flash.
Once opened, you can use a bit of compressed air on the hinge points to see if you can clear the problem. You'll probably notice the hinge is stiff and doesn't pop-up on its own.
I have seen suggestions to use WD40 -- but frankly wouldn't get that stuff near my camera. If there is gunk, you could use denatured alcohold to dissolve whatever is gumming up the works. The advantage of the alcohol is that it'll evaporate on its own.
Tim Campbell
5D II, 5D III, 60Da

MacBook Pro Screen Hinge Tightened?

Can anyone confirm that the new MacBook Pro's (purchased recently) have the screen hinge tightened?

I have a new MacBook Pro 15" produced in 2008, week 51. It has this same problem with the hinge. As long as the MacBook is sitting flat, the screen will stay put. However, if the base of the MacBook is tilted at 45 degrees or more the screen will close until it is a couple of inches from being fully closed.
Many people don't care about this and ask why anyone would want to do that. However, for me and others who like to use their MacBook while lying on a bed with knees drawn up, this presents a problem. I consider this lack of tension in the new MacBook Pro hinge to be a design flaw.
I've tried this with older 13" MacBooks and older 15" MacBook Pros (from early 2008) and none have this problem. Those models have stiff hinges that hold their position no matter the orientation of the MacBook.
Has anyone learned whether or not it is possible to adjust the tension in the hinge? I have heard of people having the hinges tighted in older MacBook Pros but I have not heard for the latest MacBook Pro models.
Thanks,
John
Name: MacBook Pro (Late 2008)
Model: Mxxxx MacBook Pro 2.4GHz
Screen size: 15 inch
Memory - number of slots: 2
Factory: W8 (Shanghai China)
Model introduced: 2008
Production year: 2008
Production week: 51 (December)

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Hi,
I just opened up my brand new 30" ACD. I noticed that the foam packing was broken on one side, indicating that it had been handled a bit roughly in shipping. However, the display seems to be OK.
The only problem is the hinge on the stand. My older 23" ACD with the same design has a fairly stiff hinge, permitting it to be set in any position. In contrast, the newer display has a loose hinge and will not hold certain angles (it falls back to a stable resting position.)
Is this normal? Is it something that is trivial to fix? I see there are some set screws on the sides of the hinge, and four smaller ones on the bottom of the clamp holding the hinge in place.
Which ones should I tighten (and should I be concerned about the packing, even though the display seems to be fine, otherwise).
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1. Surf to http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bin/rpcart/index.cgi?command=dispitem&type= sku&sku=23906 and buy AppleCare for your new 30-inch ACD. Only another $79 for a total of 3 years of coverage. You will sleep better at night.
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Hinge faulty? / Harddisk speed on 2011 Macbook Pro

I've just (4 days ago) moved from a silver unibody 2008 macbook pro to a new 2011 macbook pro, I'm noticing differences and so far they're not really positive .
I like to work laying on the sofa with the base of the macbook resting vertically on my chest with the screen tilted back to make reading easy. Although this worked perfectly on the 2008 macbook the new one keeps closing itself! As I'm trying to work the screen constantly drifts back to about an 85 degree position (presumably due to its weight and the stiffness of the hinges).
To say this is annoying puts it mildly.
The forums seem full of posts about hinges and I'd be interested in opinions as to this being a fault or a feature before I travel to an apple store.
Also - is anyone else seeing an disk speed issues with a 2011 macbook? I've just restored from a time machine backup and the new macbook feels half the speed of the old one.

If I leave the base on the laptop horizontal (on a table or similar) then the display is self supporting in any position, it's only when the base is vertical that the problem occurs.
With the base vertical the display is also self supporting but not past about 85 degrees.
You guys are definitely sure that's a fault? I'd like to think it was, but the apple store is about 45 miles and its a long roundtrip
Thanks for the reply.
Re the disk I'm showing a five minute load average of 1.67 and although multiple applications are running its exactly the same apps as used to run on the 2008 machine without issue. CPU is sitting about 95% idle.
I've used disk utility to run a repair on the permissions and a verify of the disk but this doesn't seem to have helped.
The two thoughts that I had were 1) Was my old disk faster than 5200rpm? 2) Is there some process that must run following a time machine restore before speed comes back to usual?

MBA Hinge

Just curious about this. Still in the considering stage of buying an Air. I've looked at them in the Apple stores and noticed that there is a definite difference in the stiffness/rigidity of the screen hinge between the 11 and 13 inch versions. I would call the hinge on the 13s I looked at to be somewhat similar to my MB Pro 15, maybe not quite as stiff as the MBP. But on the 11s I checked there was some definite slack in the hinge. At one particular angle the screen would actually continue to fall back on its own. I saw this on a couple of the 11s on display. None of the 13's screens would move without some pressure albeit fairly minimal pressure.
What's been the experience of those who have purchased either of these?

I had a 13" and now an 11". I don't think there is any "slack" at all on the 11" but it's not as stiff. That's because the computer and screen are both lighter. If it was as stiff as the 13" you'd be unable to open it without using both hands to pry it apart.
At every angle it stays put unless you try something like tossing it around. It's a design decision versus being a flaw. They wanted you to be able to adjust the screen with a finger.

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Noted several inquiries on this subject with no practical or easy solution because the units are mostly out of warranty and worse, the replacement part is no longer available.
The failure of the hinge relate to excessive friction in the true steel hinge, forcing the aluminum portion that is attach to it [holding it to the display/cover], to break due to excessive torque. The purpose of the friction is to allow the display to hold in different positions. But it seems that in time, perhaps through loss of "lubrication" [if any], it get very stiff.
I am in the second replacement of this pair of hinges for this particular unit. Lubrication has NOT helped much. It is still quite stiff. Should the steel cylinder around the pin need loosening up? I tried Teflon, which is the most slippery oil available.
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Try resetting PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
and if that does not help, resetting PMU (power management)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1712

Satellite 2800-500 hinges

Ok, here's an obscure one. I've owned my Satellite 2800-500 for around 4 years and am extremely happy with it. Recently however, the screen hinges became very stiff to the point where they have now cracked their aluminium mountings just below the screen (inside the case). The laptop is now in about 15,000 pieces (mostly screws!) to gain access to the two hinges and find out what's going on.
I think they're just gummed up (technical term..!) and have removed a couple of the split rings and lightly oiled inside to try and free them up again. However, I don't hold out much hope that this will prove to be a long-term solution, so would like to find replacement parts.
Can anyone recommend some kind of supplier for getting two replacement hinge mechanisms please? They're manufactured by a company called Reell, but they just referred me back to Toshiba support. I'm trying some avenues with third party parts suppliers, but there seem to be so many different hinge parts that it would be a massive stroke of luck to find a broken 2800 laptop to salvage them from.
Any help would be most appreciated - thanks!
Mike

Hello Mike,
these hinges can normally be ordered only by a Service Partner because it is a replacement repair part!
You can try to contact a Service Partner and ask if they can sell you such hinges!
You can find a list of ServicePartners at Support & Downloads on http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com
Bye

Broken hinges on Sleekbook

I, too am having problems with the hinges of my HP Envy Sleekbook. This laptop is only about a year old. I 've never dropped it, or damaged it in any way, I just opened it and it came off of its hinges. This shouldn't happen with almost a 800 dollar laptop.
Can someone tell me how they fixed their's or send me a link to try to get this fixed through HP.
Thanks,
Cady

I'm hoping you may be able to help me too. This is the second time my hinge has broken on mine, too. Left hinge, same thing where it starts getting stiff, then it breaks. I bought this for a school computer to take to classes for learning coding. I can't trust this computer to reliably open and close.

Hinges broken 17" Pavillion dv9500 notebook Service Tag dv9610us

My 17" Pavillion dv9500 notebook (Service Tag dv9610us) has 2 broken hinges.
I understand this is a common problem with this family of laptops and I believe there are videos on YouTube to show how to fix them.
I ordered what I thought were OEM hinges from a non HP website and they are extremely stiff.
Almost impossible to rotate by hand.
I would have ordered from HP, but I don't want to spend a lot, because I need more RAM and the frame for the monitor too which is also cracked.
Is it normal for new hinges to be so stiff ?
Is the plastic frame on the same side of the monitor called the Bezel, or are both the front and back of the monitor cover collectively called the Bezel ? The HP Store doesn't show a photo.

Thanks Run-ner !!
Well since you've been so nice, I'll try another question.
How do I determine if this laptop is considered Single Lamp or Double Lamp. The part numbers for hinges differ.
HP Pavilion dv9610us Notebook PC
Display 17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition BrightView Widescreen(1440 x 900)
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01162111&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en...
Thanks !!
Chris

My macbook pro screen is a little stiff from use or something and i'm woundering if i should be worried...

My uncle said that it shouldnt be loose but when i got my Macbook Pro the first like week or longer all i had to do was parely push the screen down with a finger and it'll go down and obviously sleep. but now i have to actually push it down. I'm just woundering if i should be worried. I'm not usually paranoid its just this computers like my child
Thnx

Normally, stiff is good. When the hinges wear, it get very easy to move the screen until it reaches a point where it's so loose that the screen cannot stay where you want it. Then you face an expensive hinge replacement.
I wouldn't worry about "stiff." "Loose and floppy" is bad.

HP DV7 Hinge Fail

I purchased a DV7 – 7030us, on July 3, 2012 from Amazon.com. A few months after the warranty period was over I began experiencing problems with the hinges. That problem continued to progress to the point where the left hinge is now entirely out of the case and it is apparent that the right hinge will soon follow. I can provide photos.
I did a bit of research on the web and found that hinge problems are common with models of this type but that there has not been a recall, nor has a general warranty extension been issued by HP.
My previous laptop was also an HP, a DV9920, and it too had hinge failure, to the degree that I purchased aftermarket hinges and made the repair myself. Ultimately that computer was retired because the power connection failed.
It is surprising to me that a company of the size and sophistication of HP would not have addressed the hinge issues long before this. I have owned many HP products over the years, mostly printers, and found them to be of good quality; but I would like you to provide me with appropriate relief for the current hinge problem, by which I mean that the laptop should be returned to you for repair at your expense.
Please contact me with your proposed solution.
Regards,
Thomas J. Watson
This question was solved.
View Solution.

I purchased my laptop about 3-4 years ago.
A few years ago, my computer exhibited the same problem where it looked like the case was being pryed open. I never really took it apart or did anything since I use it more like a desktop than anything else
Last night I took it apart and found the following:
The right side hinge and support structure is very robust. The screen hinge attaches to the laptop base through a metal tab on the base (which has a screw insert on the bottom). The force is distributed very well in this area. On he left side, I saw that there was no metal support. The screen metal hinge screws right into a brass looking insert which is just pressed into the plastic base. On my laptop, the left side insert pulled right out of the plastic, and was basically prying up on both halves of the base, causing the gap when you close it.
When I was trying to rotate the hinges, I found that the left and right hinges took a TON of effort to rotate. in the closing direction: If the insert is OK, there should be no problems since the hinge is "pushing" itself into the plastic base. But when you open the laptop, that screw insert wants to be pulled out. in doing so, it breaks the plastic and causes it to pry the case open, causing the gap.
I think this was an assembly error, not a design problem. It looks like they intended the right side to bear 90% of the force, while the left side just acts as a pivot. I think the left hinge stiffness was set way too high from the assembly line. If you look carefully at the screen hinges, you can see a nut which is covered by the silver looking plastic hinge covers. You need a 1/4" drive socket set and a 5.5 mm socket. I was able to do it with a shalow socket, without an extension.
I ended up loosening this nut so you could easily turn it by hand. Now all the force is taken by the right-side robust hinge, where the left side just acts as a pivot.
I tried to use a metal epoxy in the area, but the stuff I had was too old and didn't bond well. Hopefully I can find a junk computer and just get the replacement base.
To fix this, you can get a new bottom case for about $100, then loosen the nut on the left hinge so that there is minimal force going through that joint (you should be able to rotate the left hinge without he-man strength).
It also doesn't help that the left side hinge sees the highest temperatures. The thermal cycling along with the pretty weak cooling system could make that joint more likely to break.
By the way I took it apart originally becuase my laptop temperatures were crazy high doing non-intensive tasks. The cooling system was pretty bad. it only takes a small build-up of dust to block off the exit for the hot air. Be sure to clean this area if you notice that you can cook an egg on your laptop.

Hinge is stiff

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