Powerbook G4 lcd vertical lines too see my youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yYWdmUcymo
There is a lot of documentation on various websites and discussion boards about 17" Powerbooks with displays that break down after about 15 months of use.
I am unfortunate enough to own a 17" powerbook assembled in April 2005 in China - serial number beginning with W8. I believe this is the same time-period and factory location where hundreds (if not thousands) of identical machines were assembled that are now having the same colored-lines-in-the-display defect as my machine.
All these machines assembled at the same time, at the same place, using the same batch of LCD screens, are experiencing the same defect after the same amount of use.
Something stinks, and it smells like a manufacturing problem to me.
Does anyone know if Apple has man'd up and acknowledged the problem yet?
I'm looking for a lower to help me !!

Just ask Apple and you will hear that they have never heard about it.
My suggestion: Buy a new notebook (advisable not an Apple).

Similar Messages

Lucky me, I have a vertical line too!

Hi fellow victims,
I have a PB 17" 1.5ghz serial W844... I woke up this morning to be greeted by a charming lime green vertical line 1/3rd from the left of the screen. It's about in line with the centre of the W in Window in the safari menubar.
Interesting thing is that I have a replacement monitor on my PB, it was replaced aboout 11 months after purchase, the last screen had an awful colour shift from one side to the other and in the corners was fading to black.
I did by a 2 year apple care warranty when the PB was returned but I'm not sure if it has expired yet, I'll have to find out.
Lead me the way to the complaints department people. These are supposed to be top of the range computers.
Christo

Just to finalise this post...
I had some difficulty with my Applecare warranty, which has been resolved. And I would like to say that the monitor has been replaced, it is much better than the one that was in it (which was a replacement too). They also replaced the keyboard, and advised me to replace the HD because the old one was worn and had a potential to fail. I did purchase a new HD and had it installed as well.
I just want to say that the support I received from the Apple reseller, Computers Now, in Sth. Melbourne, Australia, was the best service I have had. And my PB is now running better than ever.
If you have a laptop, my recommendation is to spend the little extra on an extended warranty. For me it has been well worth the expense.
Christo.

How I fixed the colored vertical lines on my Mac Powerbook G4 17"

Hello all,
I know that many people with a Powerbook G4 17" are suffering from the colored vertical line problem on their displays. This is were a pixel wide vertical line of color (yellow, green, purple, red, and/or blue) randomly appears on the laptop's display, usually between 24-36 months after purchase. This is also known on various internet forums as the "bridget riley effect" -- named after a painter whose art looks very similar to this effect. Many, if not all, of the laptops that suffer from this defect are 17" displays and have a serial number that starts with W8. Mine starts with W85; you can check yours by looking underneath the battery. It usually starts off as just one line, then two, then a few months pass and before you know it your screen looks like this:
This is my screen two years after the first line showed up, which was two and half years after getting it in December of 2005. Not so pretty. And completely useless without an external display, kind of killing the purpose of a Laptop. As a film editor I needed my screen to see the images and more importantly I needed it to be mobile. There's not always a screen to plug into.
I tried getting Apple to fix the problem, but apparently they're just ignoring the fact that almost all the laptops that came from this certain factory in Thailand (indicated by the serial number starting with W8) have failing displays. They delete threads and forums on their website, and try to censor and ignore the problem as much as they can. Unless some huge media blitz happens, or there is some kind of legitimate lawsuit, I highly doubt they ever will do anything about it, and you can't really blame them. They are a big business and addressing this problem with cost them potentially millions in repairs and tarnish their reputation as a quality manufacturer, and Apple's biggest commodity is its reputation. It ***** that Apple allowed this kind of thing to happen, but as things stand right now, it would be a poor business decision to fix it.
So, fellow vertical line sufferers, AKA the W8 club, my advice to you is stop holding out hope that they will pay for your screen to be fixed and get it done yourself! If you do it right you can get it done for between $60-$99. Here's how I did it.
First off, know that this is a hardware problem. There is no setting in system preferences you can change that will make the lines go away. There are failing physical parts in your computer to blame and they need to be replaced.
Second, in order to keep things as cheap as possible, you are going to replace the parts. It's actually pretty easy.
Thirdly, you are going to need a whole new display. I thought maybe if I replaced the display data cable (the cable that runs from the computer under the key board to the back of the screen) it might solve the problem very cheaply, since a brand new one only costs about $9 online. I took the computer apart, replaced the cable, but the display did not change at all. So the problem is the screen, not the cable. I needed a whole new screen, however, a brand spanking new one can cost between $350-$600. So I went on eBay, typed in my computer, and looked for computers that were being sold for "parts" or "repair." These are usually much cheaper because they are not working computers, but you don't need the computer to work, you just need the display to work. If you do this, make sure you read the descriptions. If there's any mention of display problems, move on and keep looking. You don't want to replace the display only to have the lines show up all over again a few months down the line. They wont always give you the serial number, but obviously try to stay away from serial numbers that start with W8. I found a used Powerbook being sold for parts for $63. It didn't have RAM, or a Hard-drive, or screws to keep the keyboard on, but the display apparently had no issues. With shipping and handling it cost me $94 total and three days to get it. The serial number started with V7. I'm sure with a little patience and vigilance, you can find something just as cheap or even cheaper.
NOTE: Some powerbooks have High-Res display screens, so make sure you know which screen yours has so you know which to look for.
Now, how to actually replace the display. I used an awesome website called ifixit.com. They give you detailed easy-to-follow instructions with photographs. I'll let them give you the nitty gritty of how to replace the display. Here is the actual How-to guide I used:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-PowerBook-G4-Aluminum-17-Inch-1-1-67-GHz- Display/258/1
The only tools you really need are a small phillips head screwdriver and a T6 and T8 Torx screwdriver (they are starred on the end, as oppose to crossed like the end of a phillips head). They say you need a "spudger" but I didn't. You can get these at any hardware or auto-parts store. Return them when your done if you are really on a budget, but you might want to take more part from this new computer in the future, so your call. You'll need to print out the instructions first, or use another computer to follow them since you obviously can't use your Powerbook. Find a flat, well-lit work space, preferably near a TV so you don't get bored while working, and use the how-to guide to switch the old display with the new one. It only took me a couple of hours to finish the whole thing, and I didn't have to pay a repair man hundreds. My display works perfectly now! It's so nice to be have the mobility of a laptop again (especially since the computer i got off of eBay came with a battery that can actually hold a charge).
NOTE: There are a bunch of screws and a few small parts that will need to be taken out while replacing the display, and its important they all go back in their proper spots. So I highly recommend you take a long piece of tape, loop it, and stick it flat onto the side of your work space. As you take out each screw or small part, stick them in order to the tape. This way nothing gets lost and when you work backwards to put your computer back together you'll always know which screw or small part is next in line and which one the how-to guide is referring to.
I really hope this helps people with this problem. This seems to be the only solution. And for less than $100 bucks, I think its worth it, especially since you now have back up parts for any other part of your computer that might fail in the future. My disc drive stopped working recently so I'm replacing it with the one that came with the computer I got off eBay; a $90 part. I tried to make this as easy-to-follow, practical, and comprehensive as I could -- for as cheap as I could. GOOD LUCK!!!
-R

I suspect not. There are long threads with hundreds of reports, most with PowerBooks whose serial numbers began with W8 (or W85). Still there is no Repair Extension Program for this issue.
At this point, your only recourse is to discuss the issue with Apple Consumer Relations at 1-800-767-2775, if you are in North America.

All I see is colored vertical lines!!!

I had booted into vista and was updating it while reading about windows 7 and thinking what crap it is compared to my mac when the screen suddenly frooze and it got filled with vertical lines of random colors.
I rebooted my macbook several times but it didnt solve the problem. It did give the startup sound but vertical colored lies was all i could see.
Then I reseted my pram, reset the logic board by removing the battery and pressing the power button for 5 seconds, no use!
Upon calling Apple Care I was askied to take it to the service center. At the service center while my macbook was being checked I was busy thinking how this whole 'switching' to mac has been. I purchased my mac on July 8, 2008.
1. 10 days after purchasing my white fiber body macbook, the charger dies. I live in Mumbai, India's largest city but they have to make me wait for like a week untill the new charger arrives from Banglore.
2. In September I see a dead pixel on the LCD. Apple says untill there are atleast 5 they can't replace it!
3. In November the entier body begins to turn yellow. The bottom fiber body develops cracks. The place on the keyboard panel where the magnets connect breaks because of the magnet. Apple replaces the keyboard panel but refuses to change the bottom case saying that its not covered under warranty and that 'its written so' in the warranty (which isnt!).
4. In december i notice more dead pixels. Finally Apple arranges to send me a new macbook altogether. As the 2.4ghz white fiber body one I have gets out of stock and is no more in production they send me the late 2008 aluminum macbook 2.4ghz. wow! they also renew my warranty starting from december 08.
5. Yesterday, the vertical lines appear out of nowhere.
Accept for the fact that they sent me a much better laptop as a replacement, which shows that apple cares, the whole switching thing hasnt been really hassle free. I have come to realize that what makes apple so different is OS X and the design they give to their products. Its certainly not the hardware. Considering the fact that the charger went bad, the body turned yellow, the dead pixels on the LCD and now the vertical lines on the LED, I think apple hardware is no better than that of dell or sony. Infact, my Toshiba laptop that I'm on right now is older than my macbook(s) and hasnt faced a single hardware issue yet.
I was just wondering what would I do if such things happen (and from the looks of it, they are bound to happen) after the warranty period. The apple extended warranty is a whooping Rs.13000/-. For Rs 15000/- people buy desktop computers with LCD monitors here in India!

They have said they are gonna replace the LED panel. Also, if this was to happen post warranty, they would had charge Rs1600 for diagnosis plus the cost the LED panel. I swear to God the moment something happens to this piece of crap after warranty I am gonna throw it in the store room where i keep my junk. I'm not gonna bear the cost of a single repair and fill Apple's coffers. For now, I assume my 60 grands i spent on buying this over hyped machine is a waste.
And good this happened just days before I was about to buy the 36 grands iPhone. I would be better off buying a htc touch for 15 grands which has all the same features.
Neerav
PS. the aluminium one they sent me costs as high as 96 grands! u definitely dont expect such behaviour out of it.
Also, the guys at apple service center say this happend because i updated leopard in the wrong manner! they say i should not directly click 'install' in the software update window but should rather go to the menubar and select 'download only' and then install it! the engineer in me is confused.

Vertical lines on LCD screen of Qosmio G20

Hi all,
My Toshiba laptop is showing some vertical lines on the right side of the screen and the number of lines appearing are increasing day by day
I have connected to an externel disply and fount no problem with that so i am quiet sure that this is the problem with lcd.
My laptop is not in a warranty period so is this screnn is reapairable or not
please help me.
please see the attached images
[http://picasaweb.google.co.in/meetabhilash/Toshiba?feat=directlink|http://picasaweb.google.co.in/meetabhilash/Toshiba?feat=directlink]
with regards
ABHI

Why you have created a second thread about the same theme:
http://forums.computers.toshiba-europe.com/forums/message.jspa?messageID=139420
Its easier following only one thread and therefore you should follow the discussion on your first topic!

Vertical lines on LCD - Black screen, goes white, fades to black again.

My 1Ghz G4 15" Imac is having LCD issues. It is in perfect working order, boots, runs fine on an external monitor via the adapter in back. I've read tons of issues with the black screen, but this sure looks a lot like a damaged cable issue, similar to an iBook when it starts to fail from wear. When the iMac is started, the LCD backlight comes on, the screen stays dark with the exception of a row of vertical lines starting about 2" over from the left edge, they appear to be 1 pixel wide and there are enough to make a 2" or so 'stripe' Each line is a different color, and they aren't the same from restart to restart. If the iMac goes to sleep the LCD shuts off and upon waking it shows the lines again, only the LCD will gradually 'bloom' full white (except for the lines) and then gradually recede to a purple, then black again. There does appear to be some damage at the base of the chrome stalk where it goes into the unit, with the seam split open slightly and the metal bent.
Seeing as how it's otherwise fully functional, and the LCD isn't cracked or otherwise 'dead', could it be a bad cable connection? Ideas? Thoughts? resetting PRAM and NVRAM did nothing, but again it works fine with an external hook up.
Thanks in advance!
IMAC G4 1GHZ 15" Mac OS X (10.3.9)

MacBook Pro (Early 2008): Dark bands showing intermittently on built-in display
MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues . The affected computers were manufactured between approximately May 2007 and September 2008.

Small vertical lines when connecting macbook to a Samsung 37" LCD via HDMI

Hi
Just connected my macbook to a Samsung 37" LCD thru the HDMI port. Works a treat bar one issue...on non-moving images, colours which aren't whites or blacks, namely brighter colours, there appear small vertical lines. These seem to appear around the areas where there is a substantial difference between 2 colours (example the outline of a face against a lighter or darker background).
Tried all the obvious things such as calibration, different resolutions etc but cant get rid of them...they dont seem to be there with moving images though and certainly not on mainly white displays such a the Google homepage for example............Any thoughts?
Much obliged

i have a samsung 52 inch tv and i have hooked up the vga connector to my pc input on my tv and went to pc input on the screen. all i keep getting when i start is the background but no icons or anything and i cant move the mouse on the tv. if i try to mirror the windows in the display i get a message that says mode not supported on the tv. any ideas. i don't have an external mouse to try

Cant enter LCD Bist. Have Loads of Changing vertical lines on lcd screen.

I have classical problem on Pavilion DV6 laptop with LDC-problems. Screen is full of vertical lines changing with each frame.
Different forums advice to try a BIST TEST. but cant enter. Not by starting while holding "fn" or "D". What to do?

BangL,
Try updating your graphics driver and BIOS version. Here are the drivers for your computer, install the graphics driver first then once that has completed do the BIOS. When you update the BIOS please have the AC adapter plugged in throughout the process.
When you do the BIOS install, do version F.21 dated 09-27-2011. Once that is done see if the lines still show.
Please respond back at your earliest convenience.
Thanks
Clicking the White Kudos star on the left is a way to say Thanks!
Clicking the 'Accept as Solution' button is a way to let others know which steps helped solve the problem!

I have a IMac - Mac OSX version 10.4 and présently i see only verticals lines on my dashboard and my mouse still mouving but with a little square with vertical lines at the right. This appen when i was talking with a friend on Skype. I need help to unlook

I have a IMac - Mac OSX version 10.4 and présently i see only verticals lines on my desktop and my mouse, i mean the arrow and still mouving but with a little square with vertical lines at the right. This appened when i was talking with a friend on Skype, by error i did click on the video and slowly the vertical lines appeared and covered all ma desktop. Since then, it still there and the only things i see it is the vertical lines and the arrow with the little square.
How can i fix this problem ?
En français: j'ai un IMac - Mac OSX version 10.4 et présentement je vois seulement des lignes verticales sur mon bureau et ma souris c'est-à-dire la flèche, bouge mais il y a un petit carré avec aussi des lignes verticales à sa droite. Je pense que ce bug est survenu lorsque j'étais sur Skype avec une amie et que par erreur j'ai cliqué sur l'image de la vidéo et peu à peu les lignes sont appurues et tout l'écran est envahie par ces lignes.
Comment corriger le problème ? Merci à l'avance.
Réjeanne Blouin

Hello, sounds like Video card and/or heat problems.
Have you blown the dust out lately? Let it cool for an hour or so.
Get Temperature Monitor to see if it's heat related...
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/12381/temperature-monitor
iStat Menus...
http://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/
And/or iStat Pro...
http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatpro/
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for problem in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be some hardware problem like Video card, (Quartz is turned off in Safe Mode).

I have a PowerBook G4 17" and need Apple discs to set it up again. Mine lost during move. Screen seems damaged, has vertical lines. Can anyone help. I can call as I have unlimited calling on my iPhone 6 anywhere in North America.

I have a PowerBook G4 17" and need Apple discs to set it up again. Mine lost during move. Screen seems damaged, has vertical lines. Can anyone help. I can call as I have unlimited calling on my iPhone 6 anywhere in North America.

king,
If your Powerbook's serial number (do not post it here) starts with "W8" then the vertical lines are mostly likely due to a defect in the display itself. W8 is a factory code and, during the iMac G5 and PowerBook G4 timespan, that factory shipped thousands of units with the same defect. It cannot be fixed via software.
As all PowerBooks are now classed as "obsolete," an Apple Store will not work on it. They will look at it ands tell you it has vertical lines and that they cannot fix it. This Apple article shows Apple devices they curently considered obsolete:
Vintage and obsolete products - Apple Support
It is possible that some Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASP) will still work on older computes but they cannot get neededparts from Apple. As this issue was so pervassive, it wil be hard for you or an AASP to find a used/pulled display that is not effected with the "W8 Curse."
Although I love the old PowerBooks, I would not even spent the money for disks, much less the US$150-400 it would cost to replace the display, even should one be available.
If you give us a rough idea of where you are in the world, we can suggest repair shops specializing in fixing older Mac notebooks, but be aware those resources may be rather scare outside North America.

15" LCD has many thin colored vertical lines. HELP!

I have Model # a1286 I think. It is a mid-2009 model. There are so many vertical, and some horizontal, lines blocking a third of my screen. It looks like there is a crack but the glass isn't broken, just lines on screen. HELP! I have no warranty, this started exactly 3 months after 1 yr. warranty was up and I have no Applecare. I know part or all of the problem is the LCD because a screenshot does not show the lines. If you press on the screen, the lines change color or it just adds more lines.
I am 3 hours from an Apple store but I will take it I have to.
It is not the same as the "strange vertical lines" issue. Each line is the width of a pin but goes down the whole screen and colors are pink, red, green, blue, yellow and light blue and there is now a BIG thick white bars with the lines over them (sese pic).
I attached an iphone picture but it is kind of dark. I will retake a brighter picture tomorrow.

The picture is OK; it tells the story quite well.
Can you connect an external monitor? If the problem goes away on the external, that indicates a fault in the built-in display assembly, but not the graphics chipset or the logic board.

Can't see the Vertical line command in the main window of SAP Script.

Hi,
I have a peculiar situation where, I am not able to see the command through which vertical line separators are coded in the script within the main window. Can any one help me find this...?
Regards,
Owais...

Hi Ravi Kant,
       What does this mean?
/E           ITEM_YWERT
WH           &rwerter-wert(10)&,,&vline&
/E           ITEM_TAB
/:           CASE &VARPOSR-YZEILE&
/:           WHEN '0001'
/:           DEFINE &TAB& = ',,'
/:           WHEN '0002'
/:           DEFINE &TAB& = ',,,,'
/:           WHEN '0003'
/:           DEFINE &TAB& = ',,,,,,'
/:           WHEN '0004'
/:           DEFINE &TAB& = ',,,,,,,,'
/:           WHEN '0005'
/:           DEFINE &TAB& = ',,,,,,,,,,'
/:           WHEN '0006'
/:           DEFINE &TAB& = ',,,,,,,,,,,,'
/:           WHEN '0007'
/:           DEFINE &TAB& = ',,,,,,,,,,,,,,'
/:           WHEN OTHERS.
*           Tab. not defined
/:           ENDCASE

Printview I can see vertical line,but print out..no vertical lines

Hi,
In the Printview I can see vertical line,but print out..no vertical lines.I have done this form in sapscript.
Can some body throw light on this issue?
With Regards,
Jaheer.

Hi Jaheer,
how do you submit the lines, with the lines-Statement or the underline? Which printer? If it is a needle it might cause problems. What driver SWIN?
You have to provide a bit more information to get qualified answers
~Florian

Am I seeing thin gray vertical lines on my 8X10 print because I am using the trial version?

Am I seeing thin gray vertical lines on my 8X10 print because I am using the trial version?

No. First check your ink levels and try printing something from another program to be sure you don't need to run a cleaning routine for your printer. Also, if you have an older printer occasionally you'll see those lines if your resolution in ppi isn't a whole number (in other words 347 ppi works, but 346.983 makes lines). That's not so common nowadays, though, so unless your printer is quite old it's unlikely to be the cause.

LCD-card, 10 vertical lines, touchscreen!

I own an iPhone 5 and I've had it for almost two years. I accidentally threw my phone once and the screen showed 10 vertical lines that seemed a bit transparent and grey. First, the touch didn't work so good, but after a while it worked again. Now I have problems using the touch screen again. repair will cost 461$ and a new iPhone 5 costs 629$. I wanted to try to fix the phone myself, since many advised me that the LCD card is broken. Another person said I need a new filter and capacitor soldered onto the motherboard. But now I cant use the screen at all and many suggest me to buy a new phone. Any tips?

@moulay
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Please click Accept as Solution if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
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Powerbook G4 lcd vertical lines too see my youtube

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