I fixed it!

crwdns2853023:0crwdne2853023:0

The display in my MacBook Pro (Early 2006 - intel core duo) would work for a random amount of time after booting the machine and then flicker and go out. Seemed like the backlight was working but the inverter had failed.

crwdns2853024:0crwdne2853024:0

I received the inverter and followed the instructions. After putting everything back together I was happy to find out that it all worked!

After two weeks of use, I am happy to report the display is fixed and working like new again.

crwdns2853025:0crwdne2853025:0

The spudger sold by IFixit is too weak to use to pry apart the display and casing. Luckily I had a special cell phone repair kit kicking around that is made of metal - and altho I didn't want to scratch or damage my display, it was much better suited to prying apart the display casing in order to get at the inverter guts. The spudger just simply is too weak and its soft plastic end just gets torn to shreds and will eventually wear away or become too weak to insert into this tiny gap.