iMac screen died

[Patdt13]

My parents have a 1.86 17 inch iMac. It's about 4 years old. About a 1/3 of the screen is completely white and another 1/3 covered in black with red/pink, and green lines running down it. Is this the screen dying? or maybe the Graphics Card?

How much would it be to repair the iMac without Applecare? Will it be cost more than the computer is worth? Is it better to just buy a new iMac.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[bolen]

Do you have the ability to hook up an external monitor? That way should be able to determine if it's the graphics card or the monitor that has failed.

 

[blinkin182]

Do you have the ability to hook up an external monitor? That way should be able to determine if it's the graphics card or the monitor that has failed.

I think you can get a cost estimate by bringing it to an AppleStore or an authorised reseller. They probably charge around 50 USD (70 CHF here in Switzerland) to have a look at it and give you an estimate of cost of repair. In worst case you'll lose those 50 USD if you choose not to repair it.


It seems like hardware related, but you can make sure it's not software by reinstalling the OS? or booting from the OS X DVD?

 

[Patdt13]

I dont have the the ability to. I did talk to Apple though, they said It would cost 800 bucks to have the screen replaced, but for 129 more we could get a refurbished iMac 21.5 inch. I think we will just get the new iMac.

If it was the graphics card, would they replace the logic board? How much would that cost?