I just had the same problem, after doing some research I found out this was a known issue and Apple has started a WORLDWIDE warranty replacement program for any 17" LCD affected by vertical lines and as far as I know there's no expiration of this program. My warranty was up in August of 2007 and it's Nov 13, 2010 and it's getting repaired for free. If you call Apple they will not help you and try to charge you $49 for phone support, you need to take it to the Apple Store and don't take no for an answer. If it helps reference my case ID # 186751354 and they should see that this program exists. It was difficult for me at first to get them to help.