ibook logic board display probleme
tja, mein 16 monate altes ibook ist auch tot und seit 3 wochen warte ich auf apple es abzuholen......leider ist die garantie schon rum, schade das man selbst hardcore user (se/30) so vor den kopf stößt.
hier eine kurze zusammenfassung aus den usa....
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ibook123/petition-sign.html
My company purchased four 2001 Dual USB iBooks (G3/500). Since they were originally purchased as trade-show workstations we didn't get AppleCare and they didn't get much use for the first 6 months. Almost like clockwork though, after 12 months, each of the displays started flaking out (with the same "pinch the left corner to fix" symptoms). One after another, all four became expensive paperweights. I've been told (by local repair, not Apple) that there's little sense in repairing the symptom because the case flexing problem that shorts out the display card usually damages the logic board as well.
If you have an iBook and haven't experienced this problem (yet), make sure you always handle it with both hands, one on either side of the case. Picking the iBook up by the corners to either side of the trackpad slightly bends or flexes the case and causes the display card/logic board to break.
For the life of me, I can't figure out why Apple hasn't made a repair extension or offered a rebate to suffering iBook owners.
I recently had the video die on my 800 MHz G3 iBook for the first time when it was almost out of warranty. It was fixed, though apparently because of the high demand for iBook logic boards it took three weeks to get it back. So far it's working fine, but based on others experience this is unlikely to last.
I started reading the Apple support forums on the subject of video failures in iBooks while I was waiting for mine to be repaired. It seems there are two basic flaws in the white (Dual USB) iBooks (both 12" and 14" models) which Apple seem to be studiously ignoring despite complaints about them being widespread for over a year now:
1. The hinge design is faulty. Backlight, video and power cables pass through the hinge from the logic board to the screen and the holes are too small for the cable assemblies resulting in stress and friction on the cables each time the screen is opened or closed. Eventually one or more of the cables either break or the insulation wears through resulting in a short and the backlight/video fails. This is often accompanied by fuzzy lines on the screen or users finding that the screen fails when tilted at certain angles and works at others. If your video works fine when you plug the iBook into an external monitor then this is most likely your problem. There are links in the Apple support forums to a site describing in detail how to disassemble your iBook and replace such broken cables, though you'd want to be pretty confident to try this as it will of course void any warranty you have left.
2. The video chip on the motherboard comes loose when its solder gives way leading to video failures, usually with no warning. This may be triggered by flexing of the case putting strain on the chip until it eventually comes loose (some have suggested never picking up your iBook by the left-hand side alone as this is where the video chip is). If after a video failure you plug in an external monitor and it doesn't work this is most likely your problem and you need a new logic board. Some people have tried pressing down hard on the left-hand side of the case just below the option key to the left of the track pad and managed to get video back temporarily (apparently this reseats the video chip). Others have reported some success sticking rubber bands/thin foam insulation on the underside of the shielding over the video chip to protect it from flexing/pressure from the case. Seems like the case really needs to be reinforced to stop it flexing like this and/or the location and soldering of the video chip changed.
These problems appear to be common with every model of white iBook from the original 500 MHz up to at least the 900 MHz G3s. The new G4 iBooks may have the same problem(s) but they're so new it's probably too soon to tell for sure (the hinge design has apparently not changed).
I can't afford to have my machine out of service again for weeks on end like this and the Apple support forum posts indicated that once these problems occur they often keep occurring every few months (some people having had video failures four and five times even after Apple replaced their iBooks with new machines) so I reluctantly forked out for a new 15" G4 PowerBook (I've owned six Macs since 1987 and this iBook is the first one I've ever had a problem with, so I'm willing to give them one more chance. But only one.)
P.S. I'd advise readers to avoid buying 2nd hand white iBooks - many people seem to be selling theirs after the 2nd/3rd/4th logic board replacement and buying something else (not always another Apple product of course, which has got to hurt Apple if they continue to ignore these problems).
iBook Video Fix
Stefan Ali - The Mac Works
We have recently had iBooks coming into the workshop with video problems as described by other MacInTouch readers where the iBook will lose its video but pressure in the lower left quadrant will bring it back.
This is definitely related to the video chip losing contact with the motherboard and can in some cases be rectified without an expensive board replacement (if out of warranty).
The bottom case needs to be removed and once this is done a square indentation in the plastic on the inner side of the case will be seen. A thin (1mm) shim of fairly hard rubber should be cut to fit that space and attached to the case using mounting tape (not the foam stuff).
When reassembled the case will exert pressure on the video chip via the shim and in most cases you will have your video back. You can still make the video disappear by flexing the case enough, but you shouldn't be doing that as that’s what caused the problem in the first place.
[This procedure is not recommended by Apple and will certainly void any warranty you may have; it should be considered only as a last resort, performed entirely at your own risk. -MacInTouch]
Karen Alexander
I am now looking at my third major repair on my G3 iBook. After only 14 months, I experienced video problems with lines and black-out areas on the display which came back sometimes with pressure on the left side of the wrist-rest area. Eventually it became a hard freeze and a reboot by pulling the battery on a regular basis, and not being able to move the iBook at all while in use.
I had the logic board replaced, but within weeks the underside on the left overheated to a substantial degree, first after 2-3 hours of use, then within a half hour of use or so. After my iBook spent another four weeks at the service provider waiting for a third logic board, I recieved it back. Within two months the overheating has begun again, and the left-side Shift key is tempermental, requiring concentrated pressure to be effective. This is affecting productivity, but I am reluctant to have it go back to the shop and be out of service for another month. Fortunately, I used a Visa card for original payment and Visa's Warranty Manager program reimbursed me for my repairs in year two (over $800). Visa also offers an extra warranty for years 3-4 for a very reasonable charge of under $200, and they are easy to deal with, plus have an anti-lemon policy.
In my own case, my own iBook, this morning video distortions appeared
on my screen. As they have two times prior. When I get my iBook back
from repair later this week, it will have it’s fourth logic board (third
replacement) since it was purchased about a year and a half ago.
I explained to the technician on the phone that I was an Apple
Consultant and found it ridiculous that this will be the third time I’ll be
without a laptop because of the same issue and that I had a hard time
with the fact I’m supposed to be recommending a product I’ve had so
much bad karma with. I was told that it’s Apple’s discretion on a case-
by-case basis as to whether to provide repair or replacement, and that
my case didn’t qualify for replacement. They said ‘maybe next time’ and
I asked them how they decided who deserved a replacement and who
doesn’t, how they make the ‘case by case’ determination, and there was
no answer other than ‘let us know if it happens again and MAYBE other
options can be pursued.’ Of course I made a remark about how I’m glad
I’m one of the lucky ones with AppleCare.
MacSurfer and Macfixit if you don’t know what I’m talking about) this
very same issue, I’m surprised that Apple isn’t trying to quietly put this
issue to bed rather than simply offering logic board replacements,
CHARGING for them in cases where people don’t have AppleCare. It’s
really a shame, honestly, because my other Apple computers - Performa
550, Beige G3, G4/AGP, iMac DV Snow, Powerbook 3400, iBook Graphite
- have all been really good to me and this one just happens to be a
problem child.
And now I’m tempted to, if a customer asks me this week, “I’m looking
for a laptop Macintosh, what can you tell me about the iBook?”, I should
say “I’d show you my iBook, but it’s in for its third logic board
replacement in less than two years.”
I know this probably isn’t the place to rant about this, but I’m just
frustrated and am curious to know how many other support
professionals are put off by this very same frustrating issue. It’s not like I
have another laptop just sitting around either - I’ve sold the other ones I
mentioned over the past few years - and not having a laptop actually
hinders my ability to serve my customers, my ability to help Apple out as
a consultant.
--
David M Schwartzstein
DMS Consulting, LLC
http://www.dmsmac.com