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Model A1181: 1.83, 2, 2.1, 2.13, 2.16, 2.2, or 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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Old Mac backlight problem

Hi, I have this black Macbook A1181 which has the backlight problem. From what I read on the different forums I checked, it's not an inverter problem (probably not cable either), since the backlight works for few seconds, sometimes even for minutes after the start and it can be (very shortly) restored after a while by playing with the F1 and F2 buttons or by closing and opening the computer lid. Any suggestion of where the problem could lie?

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When it goes dark can you still see the desktop using a flashlight held at an angle to the screen?

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Hi, yes I can.

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What I would do on a machine this old is try the inverter and pray. Oftentimes it is the CCFL tube, but the panel is expensive enough to total the entire MB out. It USED to be a possible SMC reset, but once these backlights hit 10 years old, I’ve noticed they are usually bad in most cases.

HOWEVER, my strong recommendation is to get a 2012 13” Pro and a new HD cable, along with electrical tape to patch it. These are 10+ years old and use hard to find memory ($$$) and are limited to SATA I (Few currently available drives left with SATA I support). Unless you have a MCP79 (9400M) A1181 (BlackBooks stopped at Intel GMA onboard unless the case was hacked to make it work), you’re stuck at SATA I; the MCP79 northbridge enabled SATA II support and leaves you some breathing room. There are no known compatible drives left other then the Samsung SSDs.

Refer to the instructions on this question to patch it: Folder With "?" Mark Into Apple Logo Into Circle With Line & Repeat

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Hi Nick,

Thanks so much for your reply, but don’t you think that the fact that there is still some spared backlight speaks against an inverter issue? It seems more that there is not enough energy to keep the light on, so probably a CCFL tube problem sounds more reasonable. I might find a LCD screen replacement from same model, might that work?I did not quite get the second part though, what should I use the 2012 13” Pro for? Let me specify that I am not desperate in need of this computer, it’s more a nostalgic thing.

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@samhain I thought you relied on it, so I made the recommendation to try the inverter and hope for the best while suggesting a newer one. In that case, try the inverter and see, but don't spend too much if you try a new screen as well. No need to get one if you do not need it. Reset the SMC before buying a screen!

Yes, not all of them have failed, but it's old enough to be leery and suspect it. The LTN Samsung panels seem to fare better then the other CCFL panels like LG and AUO from what I have seen. It also depends on how hard the backlight was run and the panel hours - the ones that usually go out were run hard and have lots of backlight hours. Gently used ones are (generally) okay.

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Thanks! @nick

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