PowerBook G4 17" Vertical lines -Shanghai W85

[Ric]

Unfortunately it looks like I have one of the dodgy 17" PowerBooks from the Shanghai factory...

The screen is now unusable !

Apple are not acknowledging the problem as reported here.

I am one of numerous people who are being affected by this problem, at athe last count there was 116 substantiated claims.

I have now hooked up an external 19" monitor to make the PowerBook usable !

 

[searay345]

Yikes Ric! That's no good. Hopefully Apple contacts you soon!

 

[Eleanor]

I've got one vertical line on my screen too. I believe the problem is widespread - check out Google. My Intel Core Duo is out of warranty and I'm so disappointed as I've been a Mac fan and a Mac user since day 1. I hope someone can give me some advice! I live in a remote area and cannot get to a techie. My computer is my one reliable link with the outside world.

 

[Ric]

Hi Eleanor,

I don't have any good news for you, sorry.

I'll have to take a photo of my 17" Powerbook as it is now.

Apple, as far as I know have not acknowledged the problem.

The only bit of good news is that, it should work fine with an external monitor.

Suffice it to say my new Mac is covered under Applecare...which I have never had before ever !

regards

Ric

 

[Eleanor]

Thanks Ric - I guess I've had an amazing run with Macs - from the unwieldy brick-like first ones through to this so-called state-of-the-art Intel duo. I'm hoping it won't get worse but if it does I'll take it up to the city my next trip (next month) and see what the agent has to say! I can't really afford a new one and have heaps of software that I am not able to transfer to a new one anyway.

I am disappointed with Apple as I thought they were more ethical than other computer companies.

Cheers

Eleanor

 

[jasond22]

Here are some other steps to take if you have the Powerbook vertical line problem (note that I've heard that in some cases, even if you pay to get it fixed, it may go bad again, if the repair isn't done properly):

Register your PowerBook at
http://www.crosspond.com/apple/welcome

Sign this petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/maclines/petition.html

Read the exciting (& infuriating) info here:
http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/Apple's_Censorship_&_Censure

Post in Apple Discussions. Something non-inflammatory like "I have this problem too, is there any new suggestions on what to do about it?" Here's a relevant thread that's been there for a while:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=967815&tstart=0

Call AppleCare, get a case #, and ask them how to file a formal complaint (so Apple has a record of the extent of the problem and is pressured to react).

Leave "Management Comments" here:
http://www.apple.com/contact/feedback.html

Write to high-profile Mac news & blog sites and ask them to cover this story. Sites such as
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/
http://www.tuaw.com/
etc

There are some other suggestions here:
http://www.crosspond.com/apple/links

Call and write Apple corporate HQ and Public Relations
http://www.apple.com/contact/

Note that when people complain to AppleCare in non-U.S. countries, that info is not forwarded to any central location, so Apple never finds out about worldwide complaint patterns that indicate a defect. Ideally non-U.S. residents should be sure to call U.S. HQ and PR so all the complaints hopefully also get to a central location.

Take some of the steps documented in various pages at this site:
http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/Free_Repair_Campaign_for_Apple_17inch_PowerBooks

Contact your state Department of Consumer Protection.

Contact the Better Business Bureau

 

[jasond22]

The best site if you have this vertical lines problem, join the notification/uncensored discussion group (& see more advice) available at:
http://www.geocities.com/surfithead/pblines.htm

 

[Eleanor]

Hi Ric

I'm still using the same screen - now I've got 2 yellow lines! They are thin and close together. I'm off to the big smoke tomorrow so will take it to the Apple place. Wish me luck!

Eleanor

 

[manymoods]

I'VE BEEN SHANGHAIED TOO - if you can read between the lines
...and I suffer badly from the W85 syndrome like you. Since I'm banned from participating on Apple Discussions because of my "bitchy tongue", telling the truth in my postings lately, I've decided to create my own wall/s to talk freely without being censured by any Apple Spy Team. Please, join me and others in the APPLE BATTLE:

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26228848170
http://www.manymoods.org

PS: Did you know that as per this second we are at least 1225 registered victims worldwide?
If you are a victim too but haven't registered yet, DO SO NOW!
http://petitiononline.com/maclines/petition.html

MORE SUPPORT TO THE W85 VICTIMS!
Vote for us now!

 

[Eleanor]

It has been a while since last i joined this discussion! Eventually the vertical lines won and I purchased an external monitor. Then the whole computer collapsed! The outcome was I purchased a Macbook Pro and that's what I'm using now. I like it but I miss my big screen.

I put a couple of photos of the distressed iMac on Flickr and there has been some response.