02-08-2007, 07:58 PM

I bought a macbook (13") around 6 months back. Two days back accidentally, the water bottle in my bag spilled some water and some of it made its way into the macbook. I can't really tell how much of it was there - not very significant.

When I started the macbook - the backlight didn't work. Everything else does - I could back up all my data etc. Its still boots up and works fine -just cant see anything (you'll have to look really hard at an angle).

I took it to the Apple store - they quoted 750$ for a logic board change - It was their suspicion that its a logic board issue. Can someone help me or give me pointers on where I can get it serviced for cheaper?

Btw, Apple doesn't cover accidental damage like this.

02-08-2007, 08:02 PM

Try right clicking your desktop so a little panel comes up and see what it says there. You should be able to find something

02-08-2007, 08:10 PM

If you like your warranty, then you can't do it. The only places you can get it done without voiding the warranty is by a certified Apple tech.

02-08-2007, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mort_Infinatis

Try right clicking your desktop so a little panel comes up and see what it says there. You should be able to find something

Man its either a joke or a cryptic clue - I'll go home and try - but if possible can you spend some more words please?

02-08-2007, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by StretchR

If you like your warranty, then you can't do it. The only places you can get it done without voiding the warranty is by a certified Apple tech.

I dont care about my warranty right now , coz anyways I'm going to shell out at least 700$!

02-08-2007, 08:41 PM

Either way, I'm not sure of many people besides certified apple techs that will even touch apple products.

02-08-2007, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by StretchR

Either way, I'm not sure of many people besides certified apple techs that will even touch apple products.

Apple guys asked me to contact Tech Restore as they may be cheaper. As it turns out, they are more expensive. I came across a bunch of websites which do service Macbooks, none of them cheaper than the 750$ Apple quoted. My dilemma is that I am not sure if the Apple techie was sure about this being a logic board issue. If it just the screen replacement - I could get it done in < 400$ or even less if I look harder. I am in quite a fix.

02-08-2007, 09:02 PM

I'd think it wasn't the logic board since everything works other than the screen. But they really can't be sure, until after they open it up.

02-09-2007, 02:47 PM

Anyone else got any ideas?

02-09-2007, 04:18 PM

Mac techs ALWAYS say it's a logic board issue... the thing could be on fire and about to go super-nova and they'd say that.

More likely, your LCD backlight has shorted - I'd take it to an independent computer repairs shop and ask them to look at it. The $750 you have been quoted is Apple's standard 'fix anything' quote.

02-14-2007, 01:12 PM

It's not the logic board. I have the same problem...except mine just stopped working...the backlight I mean.

I got on Apple's site and the ONLY way to fix the backlight is to replace the entire screen...which is about $700+ which is RIDICULOUS. I would rather just buy a new iBook personally.

HOWEVER, if you look on ebay, you can find broken iBooks and buy it and use the screen...I just havent found one that is the same size as mine.

02-15-2007, 03:42 AM

Unless you're really good with this sort of thing or know somebody who is, I would actually consider going the other route.
According to the Apple certified techs at my company Macbook display fixes are the worst. You might even get your hands on a new logic board, install it and still not have a working backlight...

I'd sell the Macbook on eBay, making sure you describe the problem accurately. You'll probably get $600 for it at least and if you pick up a macbook on apple's refurb site you can get a new one for around $900...

02-19-2007, 12:40 PM

So a few months back, the backlight on my iBook G4 went out. It is only about a year and a half old, and not having the Apple care, and not being able to spend $700+ on a new screen (i would rather just put that towards a MacBookPro anyhow!)....I went by an Apple Dealer in Birmingham (my g/f got a macbook pro ) and told him about my backlight. He said he had this happen before too and told me to bring it in and he would try something.....SO I did and he FIXED IT!! All he did was type in codes and I got him to write it down so I could post it here.

1. Turn iBook OFF.

2. Hold Apple-Option-O-F

3. After 15-30 seconds, Release Keys

4. TYPE:

RESET-NVRAM
SET-DEFAULTS
RESET-ALL

(each followed by "return", which means press 'return')

This should work, it did for mine! I was so excited...now I can see everything as clearly as I had before...I didnt realize what a difference that makes!


Please let me know if this helped anyone out!

02-24-2007, 03:26 PM

So when you switch the iBook on and hold the Apple-Option-O-F - my macbook just starts normally

Where do i type the instructions you mention?

02-28-2007, 12:21 PM

you have to make sure its turned OFF