[iBook] iBook screen problem

[Kelly Cherrey]

Steve,

Video/backlight problems plagued that model of iBook.  My old 500 MHz iBook
never developed your particular video malady (a cabling issue), but it did
eventually develop the video chip/backlight problem and finally bit the
dust a few weeks ago after almost 4 years of service: 2002-2006 RIP.

some Web-links regarding these issues (many more by Googling):

may be related to your problem
<http://schwarztech.us/articles/schwarzibookcable.shtml>

interesting wikipedia article (scroll down to "Quality Issues"
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBook#iBook_Dual_USB_.2812.1-inch_.26_14.1-inch.29>

disassembly tips (I've done this so many times to my old 500 MHz iBook that
I lost count... it's not trivial to pull iBooks apart the first time!)
<http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/50.0.0.html>
<http://repair4laptop.org/disassembly_apple.html>

much moaning and groaning at
<http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/01/14/228225>

Good luck!
Kelly

On 5/19/06 at 4:53 PM -0500, Steve Stuckwisch wrote:

> I have an original (white) 500 MH G3 iBook.  It has given me and then
> my wife many years of great service.  Recently it has developed the
> following problem:
>
> When first turned on, if the display is opened past about 50 degrees,
> the back light goes out, i.e. the screen becomes dark.  (At least I
> assume that is the problem. If I hold the screen in bright ambient
> light, I can just see what is on the screen.)  After the computer
> gets a little warm, I can open the display to about 80 degrees before
> it becomes dark.  If I close it back to the original position, the
> screen is again visible.  About 80 degrees is the most I can ever
> open the display without darkness.
>
> I'm willing to take the computer apart to fix the problem (I used
> this as an excuse to buy a new MacBook, which I got today.)  Does
> anyone have any ideas?  I.e. what exactly is wrong, what should I
> look for (a loose or pinched cable, bad light, etc.)  Any previous
> experience with this problem, guidance or a point to a web site would
> be appreciated.
>
> Steve S