Macbook Air 2008, LCD display nothing but grey, external display works

Hi Everyone,
I've got a 2008 Macbook Air running 10.6.8 on a 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 with 2GB RAM and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. About a month ago something went wrong with the logic board - the unit wouldn't start up and gave 3 beeps indicating a bad RAM issue. Since the RAM is soldered directly to the logic board and the warranty was way past expired, I figured I'd just replace the board. The replacement was a breeze, albeit time-consuming, and once I got the new board in, the unit booted up fine.
The problem is that now the display isn't quite working right. When it first boots the screen is completely grey - I get no spinning disc, no apple, no question mark, nothing. If I leave it alone, the screen dims once the sleep timer kicks in, but it's just a darker shade of grey. The brightness works too - when you reduce it the screen does dim but there's still no picture. The kicker is that I hooked up my projector to it and I can my desktop as I should. I tried resetting the NVRAM, ran disc utility, and tried running the Apple Hardware Test. The thing with the AHT is that I can't see the screen when it's running so I don't know exactly how it went, but in System Profiler I see that an AHT was run today and the result was "Passed". I don't know if that means no errors came up, or that the errors that did come up weren't problematic enough to fail the test.
I was very careful in replacing the logic board so I doubt any of the internals were damaged in the process but everything seems to indicate a hardware issue here. The screen was working fine before the previous logic board died so I find it hard to believe that both the board and the screen died at the same time. I've read about some people finding the data display cable to be the problem but no amount of fussing with it causes even the slightest change on the LCD display.
Any suggestions of how to diagnose the screen and/or cable without a working display? I just put $300 into this machine in the logic board and I really don't want to spend even more to replace the screen/cable.
Thanks,
Kyle

Hi Marat,
I appreciate the quick response but I doubt the machine is completely toast - it clearly still functions to some degree. I'm trying to assess whether the replacement logic board could be the problem (and how to test this) as well as troubleshooting the issue if it isn't the logic board. I don't feel like getting stuck with a $300 logic board that might have a fried component...

Similar Messages

  • HT3910 I am selling my Macbook Air 2008 and need to reformat it back to it's factory settings.  I've been reading the help but I don't seem to have a re-install drive for the USB port.  Is this something post 2008 or can I get one from somewhere?

    I am selling my Macbook Air 2008 and need to reformat it back to it's factory settings.  I've been reading the help but I don't seem to have a re-install drive for the USB port.  Is this something post 2008 or can I get one from somewhere?

    Hey Stella,
    Welcome to Apple Support Communities, and thanks for the question! I'd read through the following article before selling your Mac - it'll include instructions on how to reformat your hard drive:
    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5189
    All the best,
    David

  • I have a macbook Air 2008 model no: A1237

    i have a macbook Air 2008 model no: A1237, I want to change the screen but don't know what size to order

    If you are going to DIY iFixit has lots of Guides, tools and Parts. Once you get the back cover off on the bottom of the display you will see a manufacturer's part number....(for example: B133EW03 V.1 - Note may not be your part number-just for recognition) once you have the part number Google Shopping will help you find compatible or exact matches.

  • I'm attempting to migrate files from iMac to new MacBook air. The estimated time shown on the display is over ten hours. Is that correct? Is there a way to do it quicker?

    I'm attempting to migrate files from iMac to new MacBook air. The estimated time shown on the display is over ten hours. Is that correct? Is there a way to do it quicker?

    It's quite possible, since you are using an MBA without Firewire, that it could take that long.
    A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
    If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate.  Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
    Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
    >Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
    >Screensavers written for the PowerPC
    >System Preference add-ons
    >All Unsanity Haxies
    >Browser and other plug-ins
    >Contextual Menu Items
    >Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5
    >Kernel extensions
    >Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
    See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
    In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
    If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
    If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
    The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
    Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior 4.1, TechTool Pro 4.6.1, SuperDuper 2.5, and Drive Genius 2.0.2 work properly on Intel-Macs with Leopard.  The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries.  Leopard Cache Cleaner, Onyx, TinkerTool System, and Cocktail are now compatible with Leopard.
    Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
    Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
    Intel In Macs
    Apple Guide to Universal Applications
    MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
    MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
    MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
    Transferring data with Setup Assistant - Migration Assistant FAQ
    Because Migration Assistant isn't the ideal way to migrate from PowerPC to Intel Macs, using Target Disk Mode, copying the critical contents to CD and DVD, an external hard drive, or networking
    will work better when moving from PowerPC to Intel Macs.   The initial section below discusses Target Disk Mode.  It is then followed by a section which discusses networking with Macs that lack Firewire.
    If both computers support the use of Firewire then you can use the following instructions:
    1. Repair the hard drive and permissions using Disk Utility.
    2. Backup your data.  This is vitally important in case you make a mistake or there's some other problem.
    3. Connect a Firewire cable between your old Mac and your new Intel Mac.
    4. Startup your old Mac in Target Disk Mode.
    5. Startup your new Mac for the first time, go through the setup and registration screens, but do NOT migrate data over. Get to your desktop on the new Mac without migrating any new data over.
    If you are not able to use a Firewire connection (for example you have a Late 2008 MacBook that only supports USB:)
    1. Set up a local home network: Creating a small Ethernet Network.
    2. If you have a MacBook Air or Late 2008 MacBook see the following:
    >MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- Migration Tips and Tricks;
    >MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- What to do if migration is unsuccessful;
    >MacBook Air- Migration Tips and Tricks;
    >MacBook Air- Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and wireless 802.11n networks.
    Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:
    >In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.
    >
    >In your /Home/Library/ folder:
    >/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
    >/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
    >Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
    >
    >/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
    >/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
    >/Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
    >/Home /Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder)
    >/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
    >/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
    >
    >If you want cookies:
    >
    >/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
    >/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
    >
    >For Entourage users:
    >
    >Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
    >Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
    >
    >Credit goes to Macjack for this information.
    If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the  Discussions where specific applications store their data.
    5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.
    Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.
    Revised 1/6/2009

  • Using iMac (Target Display Mode) as an External Display for MacBook Air

    I have a Mid 2010 iMac with a 2 thunderbolt ports. I now have a brand new MacBook Air (2012 Core i5 1.8GHz with 8GB RAM) with a thunderbolt port. I have a Belkin Mini Displayport Cable to connect the two. I want to use the iMac as an external monitor for the MacBook Air. I cannot seem to get this to work. Can I do this? Do I have the right cable?

    You can do it but you need a thunderbolt cable to connect the two.  Then just hit CMD F2 on the iMac and it will enter Target Display Mode.

  • Installed new hdd in MacBook Air 2008, question folder and forbidden sign in screen, what to do?

    Hello
    I installed new hard drive to my MacBook Air 2008 and when I try to install lion/snow leopard/ mavericks it won't show up the disk. I can't find the hard drive.
    I don't now what to do. I tried everything. I spoke with a guy in macsupport here in Sweden and he said I have to buy snow leopard and install it from the original dvd in order for computer to format. My computer is old like I said its from 2008. I've never update it or upgrade. This is first time. It laid in storage for three years so I decide it to use it again but hdd was damaged so I had to change it, and now all I get is flashing question folder and forbidden sign, you know the sign for auto traffic.
    Is it true that the only way to restore or to find the new hdd or to boot the question mark and forbidden sign marks by installing osx from its original dvd or buy snow leopard?
    After I spoke with the guy from Mac support, I got little suspicious so I spoke to another one and he told me all I need to do is format hdd with the help of a sata hdd cable with help of another macbook and then I was good to go.
    What do u think?
    Should I buy snow leopard or can I burn it from my sister computer?

    I first would try Target Disk Mode to format and install an OSX on the new storage drive.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1661
    You will need a OSX source that is compatible with the MBA.  If you have the original, use that.
    Ciao.

  • MacBook Pro's Color LCD "shifts" when connected to external display?

    I have a 2010 MacBook Pro with the hi-res anti-glare screen. I just noticed that the internal color LCD "shifts" its colors when I connect it to an external display (a Dell 2408 WFP). If I disconnect the external display, the colors internal color LCD go back to "normal".
    I have two images to show what I mean:
    This is what it looks like with the external display disconnected i.e. the MacBook Pro on its own: <http://www.flickr.com/photos/vazexqi/4558641163/sizes/l/>
    This is what it looks like with the external display connected: <http://www.flickr.com/photos/vazexqi/4559271260/sizes/l/>
    The wallpaper is from pixelgirlpresents.com. I didn't notice this problem before with my older 2006 Core Duo MacBook Pro (OS X 10.5.7).
    My guess is that with the external display connected, somehow the color LCD decides to use the external display's profile as well (instead of its own).
    Any ideas on why this is happening? And, more importantly, any ideas on how to fix this?
    Thanks.
    Nick
    Message was edited by: Nicholas Chen

    @Stefan: Thanks for the tip. I tried it but unfortunately it didn't solve the issue. The color is still off.
    Incidentally, just out of curiosity, I tried these two things:
    1) I tried the "Mirror Displays" option in the Displays Preference Pane. With this option enabled, both displays actually displayed the right colors (right with respect to how each display is calibrated).
    2) I opened the same desktop wallpaper in Preview. Whenever I drag the Preview window so that it spans/crosses both displays (external and Color LCD), there is a light flicker in the wallpaper in the Preview Window. For that brief moment, I can see that the color is right before it changes to the shifted color on the Color LCD.
    I found a possibly related thread on a different forum <http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=37841>. That doesn't seem to help when both displays are connected.
    Now, I am just wondering if this is considered normal - wonky color shifts between the desktop/different windows happen when you have two displays connected....
    Nick
    PS: Note that I am not a graphics designer so my definition of right/wrong is just based on my experience looking at the wallpaper and remembering what it should look like on each display by itself.

  • A friend bought second hand macbook air mid 2011 with crossed circle on the display, we tried recovery from partition and same thing happened, after internet recovery it stays the same except now it asks for password for boot option, what happened?

    A friend bought second hand macbook air mid 2011 with crossed circle on the display and give to me to try to recover the system, I tried recovery from partition and same thing occured, after internet recovery it stays the same-crossed circle after reboot, then we tried to boot from USB with mac os 10.8 on it, it installs something,like it has being finishing installation, rebootes, and now it asks for password for boot option.We have no idea what that password could be.What happened!!!

    I forgot to write down my computer specs:
    iMac 27 Mid 2011
    2.7 GHz Intel Core i5
    4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
    AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512 MB
    OS X 10.9.2

  • How should i connect my new macbook air to lcd projector for presentations?

    how should i connect my new macbook air to lcd projector for presentations?

    One of these should work, depending on the projector. Just note both will not allow you to play protected movies on the projector.
    VGA
    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572Z/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY
    DVI
    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570Z/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

  • My Mac Air iphoto will display thumbnails but will not display photos in any way - single photo / slideshow etc - any ideas

    My Mac Air iphoto will display thumbnails but will not display photos in any way - single photo / slideshow etc - any ideas?

    Are you seeing this
    when you double click on a thumbnail file?  If so it's an indication that the file path/link between the thrumbnail and original, full sized file has been broken.  Therefore, and assuming you're running iPhoto 9 or later, try the following:
    1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down to open the First Aid window.
    2 - Run Option #4, Rebuild Database.
    OT

  • HT5219 I have a macbook air and I connect it to an external HDD via thunderbolt and nothing happens....

    I have a macbook air and I connect it to an external HDD via thunderbolt and nothing happens....

    If a PRAM reset fails to help, an appointment at the Apple store genius bar would be the next option.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379
    Ciao.

  • MacBook Air 2008

    How to replace hard drive on MacBook Air 2008 with SSD, and with which hard drive?

    I bought a
    SAMSUNG HS12YHA 120GB 3600RPM 8MB PATA 1.8" ZIF HARD DR http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L9P3F4
    from Amazon and it worked like a charm.

  • I am a student and i bought an macbook air about 1 month ago but i did not get the 100 giftcard from the apple store. can i still get it?

    Hi, I am a student and i bought an macbook air about 1 month ago but i did not get the 100 giftcard from the apple store (that comes when students purchase computers).Am i still eligible to get it?

    Not usually.
    Apple has had similar offerings every year, to which they always establish a time interval for elligibility. I've not seen where they give credit to prior sales on the education perks.

  • I recently bought an Airport Express and connected it to my TimeWarner modem. Am able to surf the internet using my MacBook Air, iPad, and Apple TV, but the AirPort Express has a blinking amber light. How could I change it to a green light?

    I recently bought an Airport Express and connected it to my TimeWarner modem. Am able to surf the internet using my MacBook Air, iPad, and Apple TV, but the AirPort Express has a blinking amber light. How could I change it to a green light?

    The following may help: Wi-Fi base station: Understanding and resolving a blinking amber status light

  • MacBook Air has built in apps but can you reinstall without paying?

    MacBook Air has built in apps but unable to reinstall without paying. How to reinstall deleted apps?

    I agree.  I received a macbook air late 2010 for Christmas.  It says it come with iLife however none of the apps were installed and it says it's $4.99 for garage band.  How can I get back what the computer originally came with?

Maybe you are looking for