Apple laptop screen malfunction

Considering many negative things were posted about what I posted I am taking this opportunity to defend myself:



In my previous statement I said nothing to the likes of these terms which "fire sine" has implied I did:

99cent store

butter knife



My allen key worked fine, but you go out and buy a yourself a complete torx set so you can feel good about yourself. Considering the fact that these screws are hexagonal, there is no reason why either type of tool would not provide adequate results.  If a tool does not strip a fastner, and interlocks well I think anyone with any common sense would say it works just fine.   We're talking about 1/16" aluminum on a computer here not the Pratt n Whitney engines on an F-16.



If you have the computer open (at all) when it is turned on, I believe it is common sense not anything metal with your hands or any metal tools (especially a pcb array).  I think this falls under the ''Only take my advice if you are NOT a complete idiot'' section.



This area of the LCD does not experience any significant temperature fluctuations, and most 'household' tapes will suffice. Apple uses kapton which apparently can stop WWIII, so go ahead, take your powerbook in so they can charge you $300 because they will use their special tape.  Remember, this IS the tape that has already failed once.....



In regards to 'grounding' yourself, You cannot truly be 'grounded' by touching your computer's metal case (which is what most people suggest), as it is not connected to any other ground to which it could transfer electrons.  Leaving the DC power connector plugged in would provide a ground but also current--defeating the purpose.  Besides, if you only wiggle the PLASTIC insulated wires and PLASTIC tape  there's no need to be grounded.



The video connector does not carry a high voltage or current, simply signal, power to the LCD is provided by a 2-pin plug at the bottom.  I did not say "yeah, go ahead pull off the connector and play with the shiny metal parts, stick it in your mouth" I said wiggle it.  This insulated connector may just be loose and need to be reattached.  If the video connector coming loose would lead to logic board failure, I would hope that Apple would use a better method of attachment than 'special tape'.  


In regards to the severing of antennas, maybe I understated the CAREFULLY part of removing the cover.  Any wire should not be cut/ripped off.  Again, follow my advice if you're not a complete idiot.



I was simply trying to inform someone of my opinion about how easily fixable this could be.  If the connector is loose in my personal opinion I do not believe it warrants taking the computer to an apple store, waiting 2-4 weeks, and paying hundreds of dollars for some loose tape.

Considering many negative things were posted about what I posted I am taking this opportunity to defend myself:

In my previous statement I said nothing to the likes of these terms which "fire sine" has implied I did:
99cent store
butter knife


My allen key worked fine, but you go out and buy a yourself a complete torx set so you can feel good about yourself. Considering the fact that these screws are hexagonal, there is no reason why either type of tool would not provide adequate results.  If a tool does not strip a fastner, and interlocks well I think anyone with any common sense would say it works just fine.   We're talking about 1/16" aluminum on a computer here not the Pratt n Whitney engines on an F-16.

If you have the computer open (at all) when it is turned on, I believe it is common sense not anything metal with your hands or any metal tools (especially a pcb array).  I think this falls under the ''Only take my advice if you are NOT a complete idiot'' section.

This area of the LCD does not experience any significant temperature fluctuations, and most 'household' tapes will suffice. Apple uses kapton which apparently can stop WWIII, so go ahead, take your powerbook in so they can charge you $300 because they will use their special tape.  Remember, this IS the tape that has already failed once.....

In regards to 'grounding' yourself, You cannot truly be 'grounded' by touching your computer's metal case (which is what most people suggest), as it is not connected to any other ground to which it could transfer electrons.  Leaving the DC power connector plugged in would provide a ground but also current--defeating the purpose.  Besides, if you only wiggle the PLASTIC insulated wires and PLASTIC tape  there's no need to be grounded.

The video connector does not carry a high voltage or current, simply signal, power to the LCD is provided by a 2-pin plug at the bottom.  I did not say "yeah, go ahead pull off the connector and play with the shiny metal parts, stick it in your mouth" I said wiggle it.  This insulated connector may just be loose and need to be reattached.  If the video connector coming loose would lead to logic board failure, I would hope that Apple would use a better method of attachment than 'special tape'.  


In regards to the severing of antennas, maybe I understated the CAREFULLY part of removing the cover.  Any wire should not be cut/ripped off.  Again, follow my advice if you're not a complete idiot.


I was simply trying to inform someone of my opinion about how easily fixable this could be.  If the connector is loose in my personal opinion I do not believe it warrants taking the computer to an apple store, waiting 2-4 weeks, and paying hundreds of dollars for some loose tape.

Its Torx not allan, and the yellow tape is kapton, and you didnt inform him he ma have to ground himself, and theres a chance of electrocution because of the pcb array on that TFT display. That is why I will not take part in the site. Everyday clowns think they can just repair computers with butter knives and allan wrenches. "Something thin and strong"? The KAPTON "yellow" tape is used because it withstands high temperture  and heavily reduces chances of ESD. PLay with the connector while it's on,......go ahead, and make sure you have a friend there to call 911..... SOunds like a trained pro......the connector is the LVDS cable. Go ahead and wiggle on that, it runs to the 2 most expensive components in the computer. The LOGICBOARD and LCD DISPLAY, not to mention, youre more likely to sever the bluetooth and airport antennas by following those instructions.




This is the very reason i've asked for my account and membership to be deleted. When all is said and done,and youre done playing with connectors, on a $1500 computer, with tools from the 99cent store, bring it to an actually technician.


Apple Certified Technician-NYC Its Torx not allan, and the yellow tape is kapton, and you didnt inform him he ma have to ground himself, and theres a chance of electrocution because of the pcb array on that TFT display. That is why I will not take part in the site. Everyday clowns think they can just repair computers with butter knives and allan wrenches. "Something thin and strong"? The KAPTON "yellow" tape is used because it withstands high temperture  and heavily reduces chances of ESD. PLay with the connector while it's on,......go ahead, and make sure you have a friend there to call 911..... SOunds like a trained pro......the connector is the LVDS cable. Go ahead and wiggle on that, it runs to the 2 most expensive components in the computer. The LOGICBOARD and LCD DISPLAY, not to mention, youre more likely to sever the bluetooth and airport antennas by following those instructions.
This is the very reason i've asked for my account and membership to be deleted. When all is said and done,and youre done playing with connectors, on a $1500 computer, with tools from the 99cent store, bring it to an actually technician.
Apple Certified Technician-NYC

The air is a nice piece of machine, but it is actually geared to the consumer market, for users that will pay almost 2k for a laptop because its the lightest, and not the fastest or most powerful. If you use your machine on the go, travel alot and the bulk of your work load is internet and emails, then yes, but if you utilize external firewire hard drives, intend on doing any kind of editting of audio, video, or still images/graphics, you will not be pleased in the long run. The macbook air, though is impressive on many fronts, is also, slower ( 1.6 ghz DP-which is not too much faster than your 3 yr old powerbook, ), has a hard drive with half the capacity, has no robust firewire ports, and only has 1 speaker-so youre getting mono sound unless you use headphones. If youre gonna lay that kind of money down, go macbook pro or, black macbook, if you dont need a possible expansion port or firewire 800.

Apologies for any and all typos, I get excited sometimes when I see people misinform others. Anyone suggesting that someone else trained or not, start attempting to manipulate internal computer parts, while it is on or tethered to a live outlet, should not be in a position to "inform " others as they pose a risk to themselves and others. Any case, if any laptop is dropped. do not be surprised if it behaves abnormally. As with most things, it will treat you how you treat it.

Apple is good at making and developing realistic products, but Apple is also good at creating markets for consumers out there with the budgets to support those markets. Know what you intend to use the machine for, then find the right machine with the right specs.


Your Favorite Apple Certified Tech,
anymore questions? I'm right here at the bench.
The air is a nice piece of machine, but it is actually geared to the consumer market, for users that will pay almost 2k for a laptop because its the lightest, and not the fastest or most powerful. If you use your machine on the go, travel alot and the bulk of your work load is internet and emails, then yes, but if you utilize external firewire hard drives, intend on doing any kind of editting of audio, video, or still images/graphics, you will not be pleased in the long run. The macbook air, though is impressive on many fronts, is also, slower ( 1.6 ghz DP-which is not too much faster than your 3 yr old powerbook, ), has a hard drive with half the capacity, has no robust firewire ports, and only has 1 speaker-so youre getting mono sound unless you use headphones. If youre gonna lay that kind of money down, go macbook pro or, black macbook, if you dont need a possible expansion port or firewire 800.

Apologies for any and all typos, I get excited sometimes when I see people misinform others. Anyone suggesting that someone else trained or not, start attempting to manipulate internal computer parts, while it is on or tethered to a live outlet, should not be in a position to "inform " others as they pose a risk to themselves and others. Any case, if any laptop is dropped. do not be surprised if it behaves abnormally. As with most things, it will treat you how you treat it.

Apple is good at making and developing realistic products, but Apple is also good at creating markets for consumers out there with the budgets to support those markets. Know what you intend to use the machine for, then find the right machine with the right specs.


Your Favorite Apple Certified Tech,
anymore questions? I'm right here at the bench.