Cloudy Purple Aura Bottom Screen

[Searcher9]

Hi there:

I have a purple cloud that looks like a huge smudge at the bottom of the screen of my macbook pro.

I haven't knocked it or spilled anything on it as far as I know, but I know it's the screen and not the OS because I took a screenshot and the purple smudge is not there.

Is this serious, can I fix it, will it go away, will it get worse?

Thank you~

 

[harryb2448]

G'day and welcome to the forums.

What MBP? Under warranty? Called Apple Service if it is?

 

[Searcher9]

Thanks

Hi Harry, thanks for responding --

No warranty . As usual, the standard one year ran out one month ago.

 

[harryb2448]

Ahh the joys of AppleCare's three years.

Give Apple a try as it is only one month out. Have been known to repair/replace items just out of warranty. Suggest not a Reseller but Apple Store if convenient, or ring.

 

[Searcher9]

Thanks for the suggestion. Do you know what is causing the smudge by any chance?

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks for the suggestion. Do you know what is causing the smudge by any chance?

Any way to post a photo of it?

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

Maybe something placed on lid and caused pressure?

 

[Searcher9]

Okay, so here it is. The weird part about this is that when the screen goes dark and goes back to the login screen for a minute, when I log back in the smudge is gone. I had to wait about 15 minutes for it to come back again.

 

[chscag]

Can you attach an external monitor or TV to see if it does the same thing? That would narrow the problem down to either the LCD or the graphics. Afterward, you can decide on a course to repair. You'll need the correct adapter and cable to attach an external monitor or TV.

 

[Searcher9]

I'm not sure if this accomplishes the same thing, but I took a screenshot of the ectoplasm and it did not show up in the shot, it was completely clear. Would that mean it was the LCD?

 

[pigoo3]

I'm not sure if this accomplishes the same thing, but I took a screenshot of the ectoplasm and it did not show up in the shot, it was completely clear. Would that mean it was the LCD?

If you're referring to the external monitor idea…nope…need to attach an external monitor. As chscag mentioned…the external monitor idea will help determine if the problem is display related or logic board related.

- Nick

 

[Searcher9]

I don't have an external monitor handy .

However, the Purple Aura has now completely cleared my screen even though the desktop has been open.

I recently moved this macbook from the Midwest to South Florida -- do you think it could just be humidity? It's been sitting in the A/C all day; went out on an excursion with me yesterday.

 

[pigoo3]

However, the Purple Aura has now completely cleared my screen even though the desktop has been open.

Did you do anything special to accomplish this?

I recently moved this macbook from the Midwest to South Florida -- do you think it could just be humidity? It's been sitting in the A/C all day; went out on an excursion with me yesterday.

Are you saying that this "purple aura" only started since you took this outdoor excursion within the last 24 hours? Does this computer usually stay indoors in the air-conditioning?

If so…the humidity idea is not impossible. We do have some members that live in areas of the world with some extreme heat & humidity…and they do report experiencing some issues due to the environment.

- Nick

 

[Searcher9]

Nothing special at all, and -- ok, freaky - I went out to the grocery store and left the laptop open, and plugged in ( aura is on the Charger side) -- came home and the thing was BACK.

This is purple like a plume of Wizard Smoke.

Unplugged, typed for a while -- now it's fading. But when I plugged it back in again, the aura did not, or has not yet, come back in full force.

What do you think?

All I'm really worried about whether or not this is a serious problem. It's not impeding my use of the computer in any way, but I'm wondering if this is a signal that something is silently breaking in the background.

 

[chscag]

There's a good chance the purple discoloring is not graphics related since the screen shot you took did not show it. Of course it could be intermittent which will make trouble shooting even more difficult.

I would take it on in to an Apple Store genius and let them diagnosis it. There's normally no charge for diagnostics as long as you have it done at an Apple Store. Authorized repair centers will charge, however. So be aware of that.

You never gave us the specifics on your MacBook Pro, but if it's a retina model replacing the LCD could be very expensive.

 

[Searcher9]

Thanks...if I get it in there I'll follow up on this haunting. If anyone else has any ideas I'd be interested to hear them.