Apple Cinema Display 23", Acrylic - Problems

AggeLon · 06-01-2010, 11:48 AM

Hello everybody

Sometime ago I purchased an old Apple display (the one in the title, I don't know how to find out about the exact model). I use it with my macbook pro (2.4 santa rosa model) through the Apple's ADC to DVI adaptor, with the external power.

The display works decently, but usually after three days or so of being constantly connected to the macbook pro, it goes black and won't light up again. The light at the bottom right corner is dim, and when touched it will brighten up momentarily and dim again. The display won't respond to anything ( unplug everything, restart, reset SMC, PRAM, VRAM etc). When I disconnect the screen and leave it for a week or so unused, it works again for a short while, as previously. I also noticed (once I think) that the small light flickers occasionally.

Any suggestions as to what is going on here? Anyone had the same problem? Some online fixes suggest replacing the external power adapter, which I did by trying another one definitely working and had the same problem, so I guess this is not the case.

I know the display is pretty old, but I would like to fix it if possible..

Thank you

stewiesno1 · 06-01-2010, 06:34 PM

It may be just the inverter.
It supplies the power to provide a backlight to the monitor, enabling the user to view what's on the screen. This component is commonly the culprit when the monitor goes out and can be moderately simple to replace.
Most LCD screens contain cold fluorescent light (CFL) tubes that provide the light at the back of the screen. LCD inverters take the incoming DC power and invert it to higher-voltage AC power to those tubes to light the screen.
You can either buy a new inverter - probably $150+ or a second hand one $50+ off ebay or I have read that moving up to a 150W power adapter can make it work too. The extra charge "excites" the faulty inverter to work properly but how long this would work is inconclusive but I would tend to think it would be only a short term solution.

You could also go to Apples website and find out if there is any repair program for these even though it is out of warranty. I seem to recall there was one for the 23" monitors.

Stewie

AggeLon · 06-02-2010, 06:03 AM

Stewie, thank you very much for the reply! I will give apple a call later, and see what they tell me, although I doubt they are going to fix the screen for free..

As for the inverter, I would be keen on trying to replace it, but most inverters I found on eBay are taken from old screens from the US, they are expensive and the postage to the UK adds another 30$ to the price.
Does it have to be specifically for the 23" acrylic, or one from a 22" screen will do as well?

Also, do you happen to have any links to companies that sell new ones?

Thank you

macosnoob · 06-02-2010, 02:24 PM

Here's a UK supplier, but with the part out of stock, at £102: http://www.applemacparts.co.uk/store...ducts_id=65214.

I mention the site only because it might be cheaper to get the part in the US at $99.95 and pay the shipping and surcharges. Additionally, the part is actually in stock now: http://www.welovemacs.com/9225581.html.

I don't know if you can swap the 22" inverter for the 23". I doubt it. The difference is more than the inch. The 23" was touted as Apple's first HD monitor (hence its name, Apple Cinema HD Display) and the electronics are likely different from the 22".

Of course what I'd really recommend is a new monitor. We don't know that the problem is the inverter but we do know that the monitor has led a long life. Replace the inverter today and tomorrow a backlight bulb or some other part may go. It may be time to consign the 23" to the recycling bin, sell the DVI>ADC adapter, and invest in a monitor that connects directly to the MBP.

AggeLon · 06-02-2010, 03:57 PM

I think that indeed the best thing would be to get rid of this screen... It's a shame, as I really liked it, I actually prefer their design over the new aluminium screens... I'll keep looking in case I find a cheap inverter, otherwise I'll just chuck the screen and buy a new one.

Would be nice to know, if the inverter is just a DC to AC adapter and a voltage multiplier, what is the faulty component. I mean if there is not any microprocessor or microcontroller of some sort....

Thanks for all the answers anyway!

06-01-2010, 11:48 AM	#1
AggeLon Prospect Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 15	Apple Cinema Display 23", Acrylic - Problems Hello everybody Sometime ago I purchased an old Apple display (the one in the title, I don't know how to find out about the exact model). I use it with my macbook pro (2.4 santa rosa model) through the Apple's ADC to DVI adaptor, with the external power. The display works decently, but usually after three days or so of being constantly connected to the macbook pro, it goes black and won't light up again. The light at the bottom right corner is dim, and when touched it will brighten up momentarily and dim again. The display won't respond to anything ( unplug everything, restart, reset SMC, PRAM, VRAM etc). When I disconnect the screen and leave it for a week or so unused, it works again for a short while, as previously. I also noticed (once I think) that the small light flickers occasionally. Any suggestions as to what is going on here? Anyone had the same problem? Some online fixes suggest replacing the external power adapter, which I did by trying another one definitely working and had the same problem, so I guess this is not the case. I know the display is pretty old, but I would like to fix it if possible.. Thank you Last edited by AggeLon; 06-01-2010 at 11:50 AM.

06-01-2010, 06:34 PM	#2
stewiesno1 Major Leaguer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney , Australia Posts: 419	It may be just the inverter. It supplies the power to provide a backlight to the monitor, enabling the user to view what's on the screen. This component is commonly the culprit when the monitor goes out and can be moderately simple to replace. Most LCD screens contain cold fluorescent light (CFL) tubes that provide the light at the back of the screen. LCD inverters take the incoming DC power and invert it to higher-voltage AC power to those tubes to light the screen. You can either buy a new inverter - probably $150+ or a second hand one $50+ off ebay or I have read that moving up to a 150W power adapter can make it work too. The extra charge "excites" the faulty inverter to work properly but how long this would work is inconclusive but I would tend to think it would be only a short term solution. You could also go to Apples website and find out if there is any repair program for these even though it is out of warranty. I seem to recall there was one for the 23" monitors. Stewie Last edited by stewiesno1; 06-01-2010 at 06:41 PM.

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06-02-2010, 06:03 AM	#3
AggeLon Prospect Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 15	Stewie, thank you very much for the reply! I will give apple a call later, and see what they tell me, although I doubt they are going to fix the screen for free.. As for the inverter, I would be keen on trying to replace it, but most inverters I found on eBay are taken from old screens from the US, they are expensive and the postage to the UK adds another 30$ to the price. Does it have to be specifically for the 23" acrylic, or one from a 22" screen will do as well? Also, do you happen to have any links to companies that sell new ones? Thank you

06-02-2010, 02:24 PM	#4
macosnoob MVP Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,751	Here's a UK supplier, but with the part out of stock, at £102: http://www.applemacparts.co.uk/store...ducts_id=65214. I mention the site only because it might be cheaper to get the part in the US at $99.95 and pay the shipping and surcharges. Additionally, the part is actually in stock now: http://www.welovemacs.com/9225581.html. I don't know if you can swap the 22" inverter for the 23". I doubt it. The difference is more than the inch. The 23" was touted as Apple's first HD monitor (hence its name, Apple Cinema HD Display) and the electronics are likely different from the 22". Of course what I'd really recommend is a new monitor. We don't know that the problem is the inverter but we do know that the monitor has led a long life. Replace the inverter today and tomorrow a backlight bulb or some other part may go. It may be time to consign the 23" to the recycling bin, sell the DVI>ADC adapter, and invest in a monitor that connects directly to the MBP.

06-02-2010, 03:57 PM	#5
AggeLon Prospect Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 15	I think that indeed the best thing would be to get rid of this screen... It's a shame, as I really liked it, I actually prefer their design over the new aluminium screens... I'll keep looking in case I find a cheap inverter, otherwise I'll just chuck the screen and buy a new one. Would be nice to know, if the inverter is just a DC to AC adapter and a voltage multiplier, what is the faulty component. I mean if there is not any microprocessor or microcontroller of some sort.... Thanks for all the answers anyway!