Screen flickered, then went black (faint windows can still be seen)

i was just working on my powerbook and my screen flickered on and off and turned black. the best way to describe this is like what a lightbulb does right before it blows out. what is wrong?! i am trying to type this as fast as i can before it starts doing it again. is my LCD frying?

Might be bad Power Management Unit settings - following instructions to reset PMU.
Otherwise, there are 3 likely hardware related causes:
1. Failing LCD Display backlight - needs replacement
2. Broken/Intermittent ribbon connection - needs soldering and/or replacement
3. Failing LCD backlight Inverter - needs soldering and/or repalcement
For all 3 of these screen would require service for technician....call Apple if you have warranty.

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IBook screen flickered then went black

Hi.
I have a 12" white opaque iBook (running OS 10.2...it was a hand me down, 700 mhz as I recall. Model is A1005) whose screen began to flicker, then went black. It wouldn't restart. After the usual panicking, I tried to restart with Disk Warrior (which was never installed onto that computer)
Next attempt to fix was to start in safe mode. Nothing changed.
I zapped the PRAM and then the screen came back. I backed up whatever I thought I didn't already have backed up. Feeling quite happy, I treated myself to some baked goods, then I shut it down.
Next day, I got only a black screen and then had to force quit by holding the power button down.
I tried 3 times to zap the PRAM, and still have only a black sceen.
Any ideas on what to do besides using the previously happy iBook as a coaster?
Thanks for any help!

Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
Here is the link to an Apple Knowledge Base article on troubleshooting portables that won't turn on or start up:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA25686?viewlocale=en_US
And one for all Macs in general:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1367?viewlocale=en_US
And another on troubleshooting when the computer displays no video:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1573?viewlocale=en_US
It also sounds like it is possible that it may be having logic board problems. Enough Dual USB G3 iBooks suffered from the logic board problem that Apple began the iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program in January of 2004. Do the symptoms look familiar? After leaving it sit overnight, does squeezing the case to the left of the trackpad allow you to start up and work for a bit as long as you keep the pressure on it there? If so, you may want to consider trying the shim fix suggested by John Sawyer here in the Apple Discussions iBook G3 (Dual USB) Forum:
[Y]ou can often fix this yourself by removing the iBook's bottom housing, and placing a shim of any sort, about 1mm to 1.5mm thick, onto the raised square on the bottom shield. I use a Scotch mounting square--you can get them in hardware stores and many grocery stores. When you reinstall the bottom case, it will press against this shim, which will press against the graphics chip, and may allow the chip to come into better contact with the logic board.
John Sawyer
CJS Macintosh Repair
Instructions for removing the lower case:
iFixit.com
If this doesn't help, let us know and we will try to figure out something else.
Good luck.

I dropped my phone and the screen went black but I can still hear when I get a call or text.. How can I fix this?

Please help! I dropped my phone and the screen went black but I can still hear when I get a call or text.. How can I fix this?

See Here for > Frozen or unresponsive iPhone
Try this First...
Press and Hold the Sleep/Wake Button and the Home Button at the Same Time...
Wait for the Apple logo to Appear...
Usually takes about 15 - 20 Seconds... ( But can take Longer...)
Release the Buttons...

I was using my iPhone 5 and the screen randomly went black. I can still hear incoming calls but the screen stays black and unresponsive and stays black. My lock button stopped working last week so I can't restart the phone. What can I do to solve this?

I had an appointment this morning with Apple to try and solve the problem with my lock button ranomly not working anymore and a few hours before my appointment with the Apple store i was using my phone and my screen randomly went black and stopped working. And the p.roblem now i cant use it. I tried restarting the phone but I can't restart it due to my lock button not working so i need help with a solution on what i can do. I missed my appointment today because i could no longer use my phone and i'm now stuck using my laptop. I did also try connecting it to my MacBook but the screen was still unresponsive and black. I rescheduled my appointment to Monday to see what is wrong with my button and screen but in the meanwhile i would like to know if there is anything i can do or if i would just have to wait until monday and take it in to Apple. Any help would be really appreciated as i am phonelss for now until i take it in to Apple in a few days. Thanks.

You wrote...
' What can I do to solve this'
What have you tried...?
The Basic Troubleshooting Steps are:
Restart... Reset... Restore from Backup... Restore as New...

Screen flickers then goes black

Hello. Having a problem with the display on our 15" 1.25 G-4. After using it awhile, the screen starts looking like a strobe light then goes to all black. Closing the lid, letting it sleep for a bit waking later will then get it working. I've reset the PMMU, but haven't run the hardware checks because the disks are gone.
Any thoughts? Hardware? Driver?
Thanks

I suspect that it could be the inverter board which controls the backlight. I just had mine replaced after similar symptoms.

Screen MacBook Pro went black

At startup screen looked strange. Strange color and apple logo looked pixelated. When transitioning to sign in screen it flickered then went black
And flickered but never opened.

this is really the little computer that could. Left it alone ... returned about 2hrs later to plug in the phone
to charge and to my surprise it turned on but with one problem. Any black color flckers bright green.
Changed desktop to a solid color. Will take it to the Apple Store tomorrow for a check-up.
Thanks for your help
Bud

Screen froze when closing Safari then went black. Am I in trouble?

Have had this iMac since 2004, NEVER had any problems. Went to close window from Safari, screen froze, wouldn't turn off. Had to unplug, when I turned it back on the screen reloaded with the Apple icon then went black. Am I looking at a dead machine?

1) You should run disk utility from your install dvd.
      a) fix the disk
      b) update your permissions.
2) Try a safe boot.
     Shutdown your machine. Hold down the shift key. Poweron. Wait awhile; wait awhile while you harddrive
     is being checked.
     http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455
3) Another way to correct filesystem problems is into single use mode.
     This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.
     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492
    Basically, you hold down the command + s key then powering on your machine. The command key
    has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar.
4) Run hardware diagnostics. It's good for a sanity check.

I was in the middle of using my iPhone 4 running on the latest iOS before iOS 6 and the screen went black but you can see it is still on because the color of the screen is blueish blackish like when your phone is turning off. Any suggestions?

I was in the middle of using my iPhone 4 running on the latest iOS before iOS 6 and the screen went black but you can see it is still on because the color of the screen is blueish blackish like when your phone is turning off. Any suggestions?

Reset the device by pressing and holding the home and power buttons for 15-20 seconds until the white Apple logo appears.

I have an ipod A1285, I have 2,858 songs on it. The screen went black and i can barely see it now. Can apple fix this for me?

I have an ipod A1285, I have 2,858 songs on it. The screen went black and i can barely see it now. Can apple fix this for me? Or can i get my songs off this ipod and put on a new one?

Hey BlueEyedDude,
Thanks for the question. I’m sorry to hear about your iPod nano! If you believe you have isolated the issue completely to hardware, you can learn more about servicing your device at the following link:
Apple - Support - Service Answer Center
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/faq/
If you’d like to attempt some more troubleshooting tips, see this link:
iPod nano - 4th and 5th generation - Apple Support
https://www.apple.com/support/ipodnano/4th_5th_generation/
If you do decide to service your device, you’ll want to make sure all of the music and information is backed up. If you regularly sync your device with a computer, this music should be on the computer. If not, you can learn about what purchases you can transfer from the iPod to a computer:
iTunes Store: Transfer purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848
iTunes: Transferring media from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or iPod
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1209
Thanks,
Matt M.

Hello. I dropped my ipad first gen from my chair, about 2 feet above the floor. The screen went black and I can't turn it on again. I have tried holding both buttons down at the same time, but nothing happens. Any help?

Hello. I dropped my ipad, first gen, from my chair to the floor. The screen went black and I can't start it again. I have tried to hold both buttons down at the same time, but nothing happens. Any help?

You will probably have to contact Apple for repair but before you do try this:
Turn your iPad upside down on your lap and give it a hard smack on the back.

The screen on my ipad became pixelated than went black. I can't get it to start up what to do?

the screen on my ipad 3 became pixelated then went black. it wont start up what should I do? Is this what happens when the battery fails?

Mine did something similar about a year ago. It became pixelated like this:
http://ipadhelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ipad-screen-colour-problem-620x40 0.jpg
Then the screen went black, but I could tell the iPad was still on (it was still making sounds when I did things like take a screenshot).
The thing that eventually fixed it for me was slapping the screen with an open hand (not joking). It still becomes pixelated if it gets bumped or dropped, but the "smack the screen" trick seems to work.
Good luck!

My iPhone 4s screen went black. I can hear the phone receiving messages though. I tried to restore through itunes. I failed because "find my iPhone" app is on, I cannot switch it on since the screen is black and I can't see

My iPhone 4s screen went black. I can hear the phone receiving messages though. I tried to restore through itunes. I failed because "find my iPhone" app is on, I cannot switch it on since the screen is black and I can't see

Instead of trying to restore through iTunes, use the Find My iPhone to your advantage.
Either go to www.icloud.com and perform a remote wipe of the device via FMiP, or download the FMiP app to another iOS device and do it from there.
A remote wipe will also restore the device back to factory settings.

Screen flickers, occasionally goes black

Hello all,
iBook g4 bought refurb - 2-3 years ago...
Occasionally the screen is flickering and I have had two occasions where the screen just went black but I could still see the desktop. Had to force restart. I have had 2 times where it was looking for the startup folder after restart as well.
Looks like it might be time for a new laptop??? I have had no other problems.
Haven't noticed the fan running a lot even with several big programs open either.
Searched flicker on this forum and didn't get much.
thanks,
Al
Message was edited by: U Can Call Me Al
Message was edited by: U Can Call Me Al
Tried to delete this post since it is doubled but no luck.

Richard, I don't think it freezes when it GOES BLACK. I have had freezes at other times but when it goes black I can see my cursor move - fairly certain.
One difference is that my fan doesn't run alot - in fact I can't remember the last time it ran- if it isn't running at all then that should be a big clue.
have not tried external display....
my projector is broken...
can I use my iMac as external display.
I have the mini vga that came with the ibook.
will check that other thread.
thanks,
Al
Message was edited by: U Can Call Me Al

Screen flickered and went dark, fans spin, display port works

15" Macbook Pro, I believe late 2009?
Booted it up for the first time in a week, the screen flickered a few times, and when it got to the login screen it flickered and went black for good. By black, I mean the backlight is on (Apple logo is lit up), there is just no image. The fan spins up and down randomly, and I can plug in an monitor to the display port and get the generic login background, but no windows. I tried logging in blindly with no luck. I reset the NVRAM, no luck. Tried booting under AC power, no luck. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Hi rosburk!
I have an article here that can help provide you with some troubleshooting steps for this issue.
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1573
Thanks for being a part of the Apple Support Communities!
Regards,
Braden

External Disply flickers and went Black for a short duration after yosemite update 10.10.2

hi,
i got a mac book pro late 2008 and since todays update my external monitor flickers and went black for a short duration.
It seems that it happens, when i start a new app or i move a window across the displays.
Disabling the automated scaling of the resolution reduced the flickering but it still happens.
Does anyone faces the same problems and have an idea how to fix it?
I would appreciate it.
Sincerely
Lukas

Hello lukasfromholzwickede,
Thanks for participating in the Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like you've noticed flickering on your external display after updating OS X Yosemite.
I'd recommend starting with these resets to troubleshoot the situation:
You can reset the Mac's parameter RAM and SMC.
You can find these steps in this article:
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays - Apple Support
If the behavior continues, try going through the steps in the "Update your software and firmware" and "No video or no signal, image distortion, 'snow,' or flickering" sections of this article, as well.
All the best,
Jeremy

Screen flickered, then went black (faint windows can still be seen)

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