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lightkunyagami

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 22, 2009
1
0
I was surprised one day to find an inch of white line running from top to bottom on my screen. Then after a week it expanded to two inches white line, then suddenly it turned all black and I can't see two inches of my screen from the right edge. I was reading some forums and found out that I can use a dell monitor as a secondary monitor, but is it possible to use the dell monitor as the primary monitor in case the black line will spread throughout the entire iMac screen? so the iMac would serve as a stand alone processor like a regular desktop? mahalo!!!
 
Is your iMac still under warranty? You can get it exchanged. If not, yes, you should be able to set up the other monitor to "mirror" your iMac's monitor. I don't know if you can turn off the iMac screen entirely though.
 
I would try to get a replacement screen, they don't cost THAT much and they are easy to replace, and IMO, much easier than dealing with a bad screen and a secondary screen to "mirror" that one.

But if it's a GPU problem, well that is a lot more costly and not so user repairable without having to get a whole new Logic board.
 
I was surprised one day to find an inch of white line running from top to bottom on my screen. Then after a week it expanded to two inches white line, then suddenly it turned all black and I can't see two inches of my screen from the right edge. I was reading some forums and found out that I can use a dell monitor as a secondary monitor, but is it possible to use the dell monitor as the primary monitor in case the black line will spread throughout the entire iMac screen? so the iMac would serve as a stand alone processor like a regular desktop? mahalo!!!

Early 2006 Core Duo 17"? If so, the LCD is failing and the condition will continue to increase. You can use an external monitor, via the mini DVI port, to "mirror" and have the computer boot in that mode. I would suggest that you do that before you lose the ability to see anything on the built in screen. You cannot change any setting to have the external LCD be the primary display.

Replacement 17" LCDs for this particular Mac (LM171W02 TL B1 or B2) is Apple part no. 661-3879 and are rediculously priced at over $400 new. If you're in Honolulu, I may be able to provide more advice on this particular system problem.
 
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