iMac black screen problem

[MrBojangles]

Client comes in with an iMac with image problems. Shows me a piece of paper from the Mac-store where they diagnose weird lines over the screen as a graphics card problem. Looks pretty standard.

I get the computer in my shop but I don't get any lines when I boot it, I get a black screen. I go ahead and change the graphics card anyway, figuring the current graphics card just gave out completely leading to a black screen.

However, after changing the graphics card the screen is still black when booting!

Anyone have an idea? I don't think the computer was opened at all (before me).

 

[MrBojangles]

1. A1312 (Mid-2011)
2. Too old I think, or too expensive
3. No backlight. I watched it while turning it off and didn't notice any difference in the blackness of the screen
4. The clients report wasn't so extensive.
5. No I don't unfortunately
6. It's in Swedish but I'll translate,

'Issue: Client is reporting a graphical problem
"Lines in screen"

Client has reported this before May of 2017 and our tests showed no errors. The error could be identified visually in the Genius bar.

... some unimportant stuff ...

Proposed resolution: Change graphics card to remedy lines-in-screen issue

7. Well yes but I simply trusted the Apple technicians report and chalked the black screen up to the video card simply failing completely. I can always return the graphics card worst-case scenario. But I agree, next time I will investigate more extensively before ordering parts for Macs. I find them hard to diagnose honestly and don't want to think too much.

 

[MrBojangles]

I need the adapter so Ill get one from the store and report back.

 

[cyabro]

What do the diagnostic LEDs on the logic board do with the screen off?

 

[NviGate Systems]

If a Mac was opened the backlight connector could be broken, very easy to do. If someone opened it.

 

[MrBojangles]

What do the diagnostic LEDs on the logic board do with the screen off?

I get 3 out of 4 LED's that are on. I've tried connecting a mini-display->HDMI but I get no signal message

The LCD cable was a little damaged it would seem and I have ordered a new one.

 

[cyabro]

I get 3 out of 4 LED's that are on. I've tried connecting a mini-display->HDMI but I get no signal message

The LCD cable was a little damaged it would seem and I have ordered a new one.

Ok that's normal without the display attached.
The external screen should have worked so could be a graphics card issue. You sure the replacement card is good?

 

[MrBojangles]

Ok that's normal without the display attached.
The external screen should have worked so could be a graphics card issue. You sure the replacement card is good?

Nope, I got it off of AliExpress. Now I dont know what to do. Should I return the Graphics card?

 

[NviGate Systems]

Beware there are fake GPU'S on the market. I would avoid buying GPU for iMacs it will sadly bite you later.

Louis Rossman did a video regarding fake GPU's a few months ago.

 

[GTP]

Nope, I got it off of AliExpress. Now I dont know what to do. Should I return the Graphics card?

Good luck getting a refund! My .02

 

[MrBojangles]

Good luck getting a refund! My .02

Well actually I've bought many a time from AliExpress and never had a problem getting a refund as long as I returned the item within the purchase protection. Buuuut thanks for the sarcastic remark.

 

[NviGate Systems]

We can narrow this down. What year of iMac is this, and was it ever part of a GPU Recall? You can enter the SN on Apple's site and it will tell you what year it is.

Sadly, GPU failures are quite common on many iMacs, and although board failures do happen, it's often hard to diagnose.

When it comes to iMacs, if it has a black screen or fails to power on in any way, I tell the customer to forget it, it is a lost cause. Not in those words, but you get the idea. You have to protect yourself from jobs that can time and money suckers. There is very little way that this situation will be profitable.

I had a client the other day that had a Samsung Tablet and insisted it had a battery issue. Ranted and raved how Best Buy sold it with a warranty and how bad they were. I finally convinced her to give up and get a new one, and not throw her money away.

Anytime you have a custom system design where parts are no longer available and those parts were subject to recalls and failures, I back away. It turns into a nightmare. Don't be the hero. Be an anti hero, like Deadpool.

 

[MrBojangles]

We can narrow this down. What year of iMac is this, and was it ever part of a GPU Recall? You can enter the SN on Apple's site and it will tell you what year it is.

Sadly, GPU failures are quite common on many iMacs, and although board failures do happen, it's often hard to diagnose.

When it comes to iMacs, if it has a black screen or fails to power on in any way, I tell the customer to forget it, it is a lost cause. Not in those words, but you get the idea. You have to protect yourself from jobs that can time and money suckers. There is very little way that this situation will be profitable.

I had a client the other day that had a Samsung Tablet and insisted it had a battery issue. Ranted and raved how Best Buy sold it with a warranty and how bad they were. I finally convinced her to give up and get a new one, and not throw her money away.

Anytime you have a custom system design where parts are no longer available and those parts were subject to recalls and failures, I back away. It turns into a nightmare. Don't be the hero. Be an anti hero, like Deadpool.

Hahaha I like that. Anti-computer-tech. Yeah I'm just gonna try out the new screen cable and if it doesn't work, screw it.

EDIT: Replacing the screen cable solved the situation. The client had messed it up.