THanks for the how-to! I did the cleaning, and got it all back together...now i have the dreaded vertical line in the display! It's purple, and on the far left. Any ideas?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
There is Hope for iMac 27" Display - Black Spots/Smudges/Dust in the display fixed!
- Thread starter Oggy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Hello everyone.
First things first I wanted to thank Oggy for making it exactly clear what the cause of the problem is (i.e. dust getting between the actual screen and the backlight).
I'm on my fifth display. I originally bought a late 2009 27 inch model, had the display replaced three times, then raised a stink about the issue with support and had the entire unit replaced. So yesterday I'm rebooting on this brand new mid 2011 model (four and a half months old) and low and behold what do I see in the upper right corner? A small (for now) but very familiar smudge.
What makes me angry is that you really can't prevent the dust from getting inside, it's just a matter of time before the screen gets to an unbearable level.
And then? What are going to do? Have the screen swapped for the nth time? Conceded that you are covered by warranty and Apple actually approves the repair, that solves nothing, just postpones the problem.
First things first I wanted to thank Oggy for making it exactly clear what the cause of the problem is (i.e. dust getting between the actual screen and the backlight).
I'm on my fifth display. I originally bought a late 2009 27 inch model, had the display replaced three times, then raised a stink about the issue with support and had the entire unit replaced. So yesterday I'm rebooting on this brand new mid 2011 model (four and a half months old) and low and behold what do I see in the upper right corner? A small (for now) but very familiar smudge.
What makes me angry is that you really can't prevent the dust from getting inside, it's just a matter of time before the screen gets to an unbearable level.
And then? What are going to do? Have the screen swapped for the nth time? Conceded that you are covered by warranty and Apple actually approves the repair, that solves nothing, just postpones the problem.
Hi Sabik. I'm about to file for the third replacement. ;( (iMac 27" Late 2009).
This will (*IF* Apple decides to accept my claim) probably be my last replacement, my Applecare will expire around Nov. 2011 (doesn't time fly ?).
Apple is clearly not addressing the problem. As you say, the problem just gets posponed 'till you are out of warranty. ;( This really SUCKS considering the cost of the unit !
I'm seriously thinking about getting my last replacement and trying to seal it properly BEFORE the dust gets in there in the first place.
I would REALLY like to hear from people (like Oggy
) who were brave enough to disassemble it and kind enough to share the experience if they think there might be a chance to be able to seal it properly ... there is no reason for having airflow *IN* the display ... monitors don't' need fans after all.I have no idea what I'd use ...
Maybe silicone ?
Maybe some sort of tape ?
Maybe wrap the whole thing up un thermal plastic wrap, shrink it, punch holes only where cables exit & seal those well ? NO IDEA. ;(
So ... does ANYONE have an idea ? Is this insane or might it be feasable or - at least - worth a try ?
thanks
f.
NoOne777,
yes, it really sucks. It's ridiculous and time consuming we're here discussing this problem that shouldn't exist in the first place.
I wouldn't attempt to seal anything to be honest, unless I was 100% sure of what I'm doing.
The problem with the iMac's display is that air pass through it, that's what we've acknowledged. The small space between the lcd and the backlight, that's where dust is collecting as time passes. Now, the fact that Oggy still hasn't got smudges reappear for a long time (how long is it now Oggy, a year?) makes me think that maybe, just maybe (I'm no expert so take my words with a grain of salt) removing the tape on the bottom and on the sides of the screen might actually help, in a sense that dust is distributing more uniformly after the removal of the tape, no more concentrating in small areas, therefore making the issue non-visible.
What do you guys think?
yes, it really sucks. It's ridiculous and time consuming we're here discussing this problem that shouldn't exist in the first place.
I wouldn't attempt to seal anything to be honest, unless I was 100% sure of what I'm doing.
The problem with the iMac's display is that air pass through it, that's what we've acknowledged. The small space between the lcd and the backlight, that's where dust is collecting as time passes. Now, the fact that Oggy still hasn't got smudges reappear for a long time (how long is it now Oggy, a year?) makes me think that maybe, just maybe (I'm no expert so take my words with a grain of salt) removing the tape on the bottom and on the sides of the screen might actually help, in a sense that dust is distributing more uniformly after the removal of the tape, no more concentrating in small areas, therefore making the issue non-visible.
What do you guys think?
Two days from now and it will be a year. Still no smudges. I sold the iMac a month ago and told the guy to call me if it appears again. Still no calls.
I think that opening it and removing the tape actually helps because there is already sealing between LED and the backlight.
It seems that when they tape the frame to the panel it gets little bit twisted and this crates a small hole for dust to come inside.
This is just my two cents. What about other guys who cleaned it?
Within next three weeks I will be opening another two iMacs with terrible smudges.
I will post some photos.
I think that opening it and removing the tape actually helps because there is already sealing between LED and the backlight.
It seems that when they tape the frame to the panel it gets little bit twisted and this crates a small hole for dust to come inside.
This is just my two cents. What about other guys who cleaned it?
Within next three weeks I will be opening another two iMacs with terrible smudges.
I will post some photos.
^ Oh, so you sold the computer eventually. That's quite a wise decision actually. I'd do the same if only there was a real alternative to an iMac (and before anyone thinks about replying, no, there isn't one as desktops go).
Glad you'll be posting more photos.
Glad you'll be posting more photos.
I'm in a similar situation to NoOne777, I have a late-2009 iMac with this issue, it's currently with Apple at the moment having the display replaced as well as the rear case assembly (power button never worked properly from new).
The tech at the Apple store said it was a known issue, did seem to keep inferring it was an environmental problem (high levels of smoke/dust in the room, or the computer being put in a badly ventilated area) which is nonsense as it's in a well ventilated study room sitting on a large desk (ie, not crammed into a tight space). He said that they normally replace the display once under warranty for this issue. When asked how likely it is that this issue would re-occur he said it's likely that the issue would re-occur however not for around 2+ years by which time the machine would likely have been replaced.
I'm a little worried by this, I've never had any serious issues with any Apple product in the past (and I've owned a boatload of Apple gear over the years) but this seems to be an obvious design flaw that's being simply glossed over by Apple. Long story short, dust SHOULD NOT be able to enter the internals of a display, it should be adequately sealed to prevent such things happening.
I wonder if this is as likely to occur with the 27" Cinema Display (ie, without all the hot internals of a computer inside, and with no fans inside pushing dusty air around)? I think my next computer is likely to be a Mac Mini + Cinema Display rather than an iMac as I really don't like the idea this issue is STILL prevalent in 2012, even though it's something first identified with 1st gen 2009 machines.
This is not acceptable for a machine sold at a premium, marketed as having such a high-quality IPS display.
Not happy.
The tech at the Apple store said it was a known issue, did seem to keep inferring it was an environmental problem (high levels of smoke/dust in the room, or the computer being put in a badly ventilated area) which is nonsense as it's in a well ventilated study room sitting on a large desk (ie, not crammed into a tight space). He said that they normally replace the display once under warranty for this issue. When asked how likely it is that this issue would re-occur he said it's likely that the issue would re-occur however not for around 2+ years by which time the machine would likely have been replaced.
I'm a little worried by this, I've never had any serious issues with any Apple product in the past (and I've owned a boatload of Apple gear over the years) but this seems to be an obvious design flaw that's being simply glossed over by Apple. Long story short, dust SHOULD NOT be able to enter the internals of a display, it should be adequately sealed to prevent such things happening.
I wonder if this is as likely to occur with the 27" Cinema Display (ie, without all the hot internals of a computer inside, and with no fans inside pushing dusty air around)? I think my next computer is likely to be a Mac Mini + Cinema Display rather than an iMac as I really don't like the idea this issue is STILL prevalent in 2012, even though it's something first identified with 1st gen 2009 machines.
This is not acceptable for a machine sold at a premium, marketed as having such a high-quality IPS display.
Not happy.
Last edited:
Look what I found on a parallel thread to this one:
http://www.philmug.ph/forum/showpost.php?p=919080&postcount=18
Would you look at that! The computer is still in the store and look how bad it is!
http://www.philmug.ph/forum/showpost.php?p=919080&postcount=18
Would you look at that! The computer is still in the store and look how bad it is!
^^^^
Well, environment seems to play a role so if the repaired iMac operates in the same environment you could estimate it will take about the same amount of time to reoccur. So two years is a reasonable guess for that particular iMac.
I have a late 2009 27" iMac that has been starting to show the signs over the last few months so I'm going to take the plung soon and try Oggy's fix... And I assume I'll have to do it again in another couple years (unless maybe I can seal it back up better than Apple).
This is what bothers me the most about this whole thing. Personally, I understand that technology is not perfect and don't freak out when it isn't. But this means Apple really does not see this as a problem.
Well, environment seems to play a role so if the repaired iMac operates in the same environment you could estimate it will take about the same amount of time to reoccur. So two years is a reasonable guess for that particular iMac.
I have a late 2009 27" iMac that has been starting to show the signs over the last few months so I'm going to take the plung soon and try Oggy's fix... And I assume I'll have to do it again in another couple years (unless maybe I can seal it back up better than Apple).
This is what bothers me the most about this whole thing. Personally, I understand that technology is not perfect and don't freak out when it isn't. But this means Apple really does not see this as a problem.
My 2009 24" iMac started to have yellowish tint on both sides and ugly patches on top of the screen. It was getting worse by the week.
I am really happy that i've found this thread, in fact, i've just registered to say thanks to Oggy for such a great step by step guide and for resolving the issue.
It helped me to solve the problem and now I have a crystal clear screen
I am really happy that i've found this thread, in fact, i've just registered to say thanks to Oggy for such a great step by step guide and for resolving the issue.
It helped me to solve the problem and now I have a crystal clear screen
Here is my ten cents.....
On a whim, I called Apple Care this evening about the black smudge that is on the right hand side of my screen. Before I knew what happened, I was transfered up the "food chain" to someone is senior tech support who offered to swap my mid 2011 iMac for a brand new machine. This is a new program to help Apple figure out why this is happening. Very interesting.....
I should have my new computer by the end of the week. Let me get your opinions....should I sell the new iMac and get a MacBook Pro? I would be lying if I told you this hasn't crossed my mind a few hundred times......
I am an Apple fan boy and love their products. It just seems that I have had nothing but problems since I purchased an iMac, this is my 4th machine (the other 3 were from yellow tint during the first month).
On a whim, I called Apple Care this evening about the black smudge that is on the right hand side of my screen. Before I knew what happened, I was transfered up the "food chain" to someone is senior tech support who offered to swap my mid 2011 iMac for a brand new machine. This is a new program to help Apple figure out why this is happening. Very interesting.....
I should have my new computer by the end of the week. Let me get your opinions....should I sell the new iMac and get a MacBook Pro? I would be lying if I told you this hasn't crossed my mind a few hundred times
......I am an Apple fan boy and love their products. It just seems that I have had nothing but problems since I purchased an iMac, this is my 4th machine (the other 3 were from yellow tint during the first month).
Here is my ten cents.....
On a whim, I called Apple Care this evening about the black smudge that is on the right hand side of my screen. Before I knew what happened, I was transfered up the "food chain" to someone is senior tech support who offered to swap my mid 2011 iMac for a brand new machine. This is a new program to help Apple figure out why this is happening. Very interesting.....
I should have my new computer by the end of the week. Let me get your opinions....should I sell the new iMac and get a MacBook Pro? I would be lying if I told you this hasn't crossed my mind a few hundred times
I am an Apple fan boy and love their products. It just seems that I have had nothing but problems since I purchased an iMac, this is my 4th machine (the other 3 were from yellow tint during the first month).
So they are swapping your already new iMac with another new one and not just replacing the display? That's interesting indeed. Hopefully they are trying to figure out a way to permanently solve the spots' issue.
Hey everyone,
First I'd like to thank Oggy for the amazing guide he posted.
I had the problem on my 2009 27" i7 iMac, which I mainly use for Photoshop and Indesign work. First noticed it when cleaning up a photo in Photoshop, after quite some time I found out the smudges weren't in the picture but in the screen itself. Unfortunately I had no Applecare and the 1 year warranty had just expired. So I called an Apple reseller and they estimated a 700-800 euro repair excluding labor. Didn't have the money at that time so I let it be, avoiding the spots in my Photoshop work.
Then after some searching I came to this post and gave it a try. I managed to clean the entire screen following Oggy's guide. Shortly after this I sold my iMac to my brother and since then the spots haven't returned. I bought a new 2011 27" i7 iMac in november and to my dismay I'm also seeing black smudges on this new machine. It's still under warranty and this time I did get Applecare. It's going back in a few days after my work is done.
Have had quite a few Apple products, never had any problems but I'm really disappointed that Apple doesn't acknowledge the problems these iMacs obviously have.
First I'd like to thank Oggy for the amazing guide he posted.
I had the problem on my 2009 27" i7 iMac, which I mainly use for Photoshop and Indesign work. First noticed it when cleaning up a photo in Photoshop, after quite some time I found out the smudges weren't in the picture but in the screen itself. Unfortunately I had no Applecare and the 1 year warranty had just expired. So I called an Apple reseller and they estimated a 700-800 euro repair excluding labor. Didn't have the money at that time so I let it be, avoiding the spots in my Photoshop work.
Then after some searching I came to this post and gave it a try. I managed to clean the entire screen following Oggy's guide. Shortly after this I sold my iMac to my brother and since then the spots haven't returned. I bought a new 2011 27" i7 iMac in november and to my dismay I'm also seeing black smudges on this new machine. It's still under warranty and this time I did get Applecare. It's going back in a few days after my work is done.
Have had quite a few Apple products, never had any problems but I'm really disappointed that Apple doesn't acknowledge the problems these iMacs obviously have.
I must say I am reading this thread with horror. finally making up my mind to purchase the 2.7 Ghz 27" I-mac thanks to the excellent advice from this forum.
This is a design fault , can't Apple see this .
Its time for a rethink , maybe go down the mac-pro route and just hook it up to my really excellent , dust and stain free Eizo FlexScan S22231W screen
Where I live in remote France a quick trip to the Apple reseller is out of the question for me
This is a design fault , can't Apple see this .
Its time for a rethink , maybe go down the mac-pro route and just hook it up to my really excellent , dust and stain free Eizo FlexScan S22231W screen
Where I live in remote France a quick trip to the Apple reseller is out of the question for me
Yes, Apple is replacing my 27" iMac with a NEW computer. I was informed this is a new program to assist in figuring out how and why this is happening. Don't get me wrong, I am happy with a new computer, but it seemed too easy.
Funnily enough actually, my iMac is also being replaced with a new one as well. The guys at the Apple store said that it was due to them not being happy with the repair to the rear casing (which it was also in for as well as the display) but ultimately they said the time/cost of the work was getting to the point where it was uneconomic to repair the machine and it was better to replace it.
The best bit is that they're replacing it with a top-end Core i7 model
Couldn't be happier to get a brand new machine to replace a 2.5yr old one.
AppleCare definitely paid for itself there methinks
the fact that the backlight had dust on it kinda scares me. typically the backlight is super fragile and if you break it you wont be able to see anything on the screen when its on. even if the backlight had dust on it your better off leaving it alone and just cleaning the glass and screen. not worth it imho for something you cant even see.
Are you sure it's hair? Once it happened to me that I cracked the LED panel and than it looked like a hair. I'm still sad about it. I wasn't careful than... I was too confident.
Take extra care when lifting LED from the backlight. Don't grab it by the corners.
Good luck!
I'm still sad about it. I wasn't careful than... I was too confident.Take extra care when lifting LED from the backlight. Don't grab it by the corners.
Good luck!