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Here's one for the major gear heads; I've got an eMac that has a display problem. Over the last three months or so (started about a month after the warranty expired!) the display image has been shrinking. I've attached a snapshot of the thing with the default settings applied in the Geometry pane of the Displays preferences panel. Adjustments in Geometry make it better, but the top of the image is still a couple of inches from the top of the display with the control at its limits.
I asked an Apple tech about this, and he said that it's a problem with "the display assembly". Parts would run about $320 plus $80-$100 for labor to fix it.
Anybody know of a cheaper fix for this thing, other than sticking an external display on it or recasing it? I'm not afraid of tearing things apart or using a soldering iron, so aside from those two issues the sky's the limit.
Or am I better off parting it out & selling off the working pieces?
it almost sounds like a good chance to try a LCD mod to it. but before that i would check all the monitors cables that supply the video signal. but be very careful cause if you just so happen to touch the CRT in any way shape or form or touch a wire that supplys the current wrong the shock could kill you.
Bad IVAD cable, also known as the eMac Raster Shift problem.
I had a similar problem happen on my eMac about 4 months ago, except mine was shrinking up, not down. Anyway, I ordered a replacement IVAD cable from a local Apple repair shop ($30, I think) and replaced it. Haven't had a problem since. I don't know why or how the cable is the culprit, but that's the case in my situation, and I'm willing to bet a shiny nickel is the problem in your case, too.
Here's the MacFixIt article:
http://www.macfixit.com/staticpages/index.php?page=20030131071918881
I think that problem applies to an earlier version than what I have; this machine is a 1GHz, not sure what version that translates to. I asked the tech at one of the local Mac shops about that, and he didn't think that was the issue with this one. Very similar, but on mine the image is shifted down, plus the image is as clear as can be; no fuzziness as is indicated with the IVAD cable problem.
I wish it were that easy!
I thought about the LCD mod also. If I can't get it fixed for less than what a new display assembly would cost, I think that's what I might do with it. Leave it all in the original case, but weighing about 40% less than the original. Put a handle on top and call it the eMac Portable?
Download your Mac's Service Manual at http://www.whoopis.com/computer_repair/
May be something covering this problem.
Cheers, Tom
Mac Troubleshooting, Maintenance & Tips
http://www.geocities.com/texas_macman/MacTroubleshoot.html