A1226 Display Issue (99% sure it is not known logic board failure issue)

[yeieee]

So I'm trying to fix my friends A1226. I've tried many things out... I am starting to suspect there is a loose display connection of some sort internally, but before I go disassembling the device, I thought I'd post here first to field any suggestions.

The display works, sometimes. It is an intermittent issue. So I am not really sure what is going on. When it is working, there is obviously no issue and when it is not working, if I hold a light to the screen, I can not see any dimmed display content whatsoever. The bell chimes, the key backlights work, etc.

I just cannot seem to figure it out. Maybe it is the known logic board issue with these models? Idk.

I did just manage to pull off a complete reinstall from the Snow Leopard DVD after wiping the device as a slave, repairing, then booting and holding C (the display worked this time), but then once installed and restarted, I can not complete set up because now the screen is once again not working :S

Thanks for any help.

 

[pigoo3]

Try connecting an external monitor to verify if there are any logic board based video issues.

- Nick

 

[yeieee]

Try connecting an external monitor to verify if there are any logic board based video issues.

- Nick

I can not figure out which type of cable I need to do this :S possible with a firewire by chance?

 

[pigoo3]

I can not figure out which type of cable I need to do this :S possible with a firewire by chance?

Nope…not firewire.

If I got the general model correct. This is a 2007/2008 era MacBook Pro. This model has a full sized DVI video port. Which is actually quite convenient since you do not need a video adapter (DVI video cables come with the exact plug needed to directly connect to the computer).

FYI. Don't overspend ($$$) trying to fix/troubleshoot this computer (cables, external monitor, etc.). It's not worth a whole lot. Hopefully you have the "tools" you need to troubleshoot things…or hopefully able to borrow them.

- Nick

 

[yeieee]

So I've actually got it up and running right now with the display it came with working. Is there anything I can do diagnostically wise to see the root of the issue? It is odd to me that it works now, but not last night. Maybe some sort of overheating issue?

 

[pigoo3]

So I've actually got it up and running right now with the display it came with working.

Are you talking about the MacBook Pro's built-in display? When you say "the display that it came with". This makes it sound like it came with an external display.

Is there anything I can do diagnostically wise to see the root of the issue?

I would say just keep using it…and see how stable things are. If the display does shut down…try to see if you can detect any sort of reason. Whether it be physical movement of the computer (which could mean something loose or broken)…or a software issue.

- Nick

 

[yeieee]

Built-in display is what I meant by "the display it came with." Sorry, and thanks. I'll keep my eyes peeled for issues.

 

[harryb2448]

Is the OS X.6 (or earlier) DVD the original discs that came with the machine? If so go into Apple Hardware Test and run the extended test and see what is reported. AHT is on disc two.

yelee is this the same model we have had several discussions about prior? Easier to keep it all one thread and answers won't differ.

 

[techiesteve]

This model had known issues with the GPU, so much long ago it was covered by an repair extension program. Your fault matches its symptoms. The easiest way to diagnose has already been mentioned, that is to connect an external display with a DVI interface. If the MBP's LCD and external display fail, then the display is good and the logic board has failed. Technicians used to run an Apple proprietary bootable diagnostic to confirm a GPU failure. After the diagnostic completed we would look at a log file, and if a section of it confirmed a failure we would paste it into the repair to enable the logic board to be supplied FOC. You wouldn't be able to obtain that software, so attaching an external display is the best way forward.

 

[yeieee]

Here is the output port on the mac: http://i.imgur.com/dBY6QP7.jpg

Is this the cable I need? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-App...RCA-S-Video-/161848358757?hash=item25aee9f765

I'm just not sure because they don't "match" 100%.

 

[techiesteve]

We need to know what monitor you have access to, what inputs it has and cables it is supplied with. This is to determine if it would be compatible with your MBP, and if it is, what cable you would need. One end of the cable or adapter must be DVI to match the MBP.

The adapter you linked to would only convert DVI to composite video, so wouldn't interface with the average computer monitor.

 

[chas_m]

The DVI port is hardly exotic: it's standard equipment on nearly every PC, projector, and HDTV made in the last five years. If your monitor doesn't have one (which would indicated it either VERY old or isn't a monitor but rather a newish HDTV), you need a DVI to (whatever the connector you want to go to -- VGA/HDMI) adapter. Any electronics store will have one (heck, we pick those up at our local drugstore up here).

 

[yeieee]

The DVI port is hardly exotic: it's standard equipment on nearly every PC, projector, and HDTV made in the last five years. If your monitor doesn't have one (which would indicated it either VERY old or isn't a monitor but rather a newish HDTV), you need a DVI to (whatever the connector you want to go to -- VGA/HDMI) adapter. Any electronics store will have one (heck, we pick those up at our local drugstore up here).

Yeah, I mean, I'm not concerned about what monitor it is going to, I can figure that out easy enough... I plan on just attempting to connect it to a tv... but if you check the links I supplied again, you'll see what I'm asking about... the Mac's female output is a combo 24-4 pin dvi port I believe, but the only cables I am finding that convert to svideo (that eBay link specifically) are a weird male dvi combo of a 16-2 pin. It looks like it'd fit, but it just seems odd that the pin count doesn't add up.

 

[pigoo3]

Yeah, I mean, I'm not concerned about what monitor it is going to, I can figure that out easy enough... I plan on just attempting to connect it to a tv... but if you check the links I supplied again, you'll see what I'm asking about... the Mac's female output is a combo 24-4 pin dvi port I believe, but the only cables I am finding that convert to svideo (that eBay link specifically) are a weird male dvi combo of a 16-2 pin. It looks like it'd fit, but it just seems odd that the pin count doesn't add up.

I hate to say it…but you're making this way too complicated. The MacBook Pro has a full sized DVI port (as I mentioned above). We need to know what monitor you are going to use…and what video ports it has. Then the appropriate video adapter or video cable can be sourced.

- Nick

 

[chas_m]

Your mention of s-video tells me you're planning to hook this up to a conventional (SD) TV from the 90s. Short version: don't bother. Let us know when you get an actual monitor or HDTV.

 

[mudcruzr]

The DVI port is hardly exotic: it's standard equipment on nearly every PC, projector, and HDTV made in the last five years. If your monitor doesn't have one (which would indicated it either VERY old or isn't a monitor but rather a newish HDTV), you need a DVI to (whatever the connector you want to go to -- VGA/HDMI) adapter. Any electronics store will have one (heck, we pick those up at our local drugstore up here).

I would guess from your comment that you are in North America where DVI is much more common than here in Europe, if the OP is in USA/Canada then what you say is fine but please be aware that here in Europe DVI is much less common (other than on specialist A/V gear [and macs]).

Personally, I have only ever seen one monitor with DVI and I've never seen it on any consumer equipment (TVs, DVD players, set-top boxes etc.) everything uses HDMI here and has done for years.

Similarly, S-Video was never very common here either (although much more common than DVI). It did (does) exist but most older consumer A/V gear used SCART.

Just saying'

Alan