Display Issue: When displaying a single color over the screen area,
the LCD panel shows one or more pixels that are not properly lit
To determine whether or not the display has an acceptable number of pixel anomalies, follow the
steps below:
1.Set the display image to one of the following colors: all-white display, all-red display, all-green
display, or all-blue display. Knowledge Base article 112125: “Service Diagnostics Matrix”, has
the LCD Tester Diagnostic Utility that will generate these patterns on the screen.
2.Using a jeweler’s loupe, pocket microscope, or other magnifying device, identify and count
each pixel anomaly:
• Bright subpixel anomaly = subpixel that is always on
• Dark subpixel anomaly = subpixel that is always of
3.The number of acceptable pixel anomalies for this computer is:
Acceptable Number of Subpixel Anomalies
5.If the number of subpixel anomalies is acceptable, explain to the customer that the pixel
anomalies are within specifcations, and no repair is necessary.
Important: Do not release the specifcations to customers. Instead, inform them that a certain
number of subpixel anomalies are considered acceptable, and these factors apply to all
manufacturers using LCD technology—not just Apple products.
When speaking with customers, please use the following explanation:
Active-matrix LCD technology uses rows and columns of addressable locations (pixels) that
render text and images on screen. Each pixel location has three separate subpixels (red, green,
and blue) that allow the image to be rendered in full color. Each subpixel has a corresponding
transistor responsible for turning the subpixel on or of.
There are typically millions of these subpixels on an LCD display. For example, the LCD panel used
in the Apple Cinema HD display is made up of 2.3 million pixels and 6.9 million red, green, and
blue subpixels. Occasionally, a transistor does not work perfectly, which may result in the afected
subpixel being turned on (bright) or turned of (dark). With the millions of subpixels on a display,
it is quite possible to have a low number of faulty transistors on an LCD. Therefore, a certain
number of subpixel anomalies are considered acceptable. Rejecting all but perfect LCD panels
would signifcantly increase the retail price for products using LCD displays. These factors apply
to all manufacturers using LCD technology—not just Apple products.
No display, or dim display, but computer appears to operate
correctly (if dim, display shows startup icon and/or desktop)
1.Remove any connected peripherals.
2.Try known-good power outlet, power adapter and power cord.
3.Press F2 (with the fn key pressed and not pressed) to increase the screen brightness setting.
4.Reboot the computer—hold down the Control and Command keys and press the Power
button, or press and hold the Power button for 5 to 10 seconds to shut down the computer,
then press the Power button to restart.
5.Reset the power manager by pressing the key combination Control-Option-Shift-power.
Warning: Make sure you do not hold down the “fn” key when resetting the power manager.
Warning: Resetting the power manager means you will also need to reset the date and time
(using the Date & Time control panel).
6.Reset PRAM (Press the power button, then hold down the Option-Command-P-R keys until
you hear the startup chime at least one additional time after the initial startup chime).
7.Connect an external display, and check for video on external display.
8.If video is fne on external display, troubleshoot LCD panel and verify cable connections to
inverter and LCD.
9.If video symptom is same on external display, replace logic board.
10.Verify LCD panel cable and LVDS cable connections are seated properly and that the cables
are not damaged.
11.Replace LCD panel.
12.Verify cable connections and check cables around the hinges for damage.
13.Replace logic board.
Distorted sound from speaker(s)
1.Verify sound is correct with external speakers/headphones. If sound is correct, replace top
case.
2.Verify speaker cables are inserted correctly, and check cables for damage.
3.Check balance in System Preferences: Sound: Output.
4.Compare same sound with two diferent units to make sure that sound is actually distorted.
5.In System Preferences, open Sound, select Output, and set the slider bar to either the
left or right speaker. Play a sound to tell which speaker is not responding and may need
replacement. Based on results, replace either the left or right speaker.
6.Replace logic board.
No sound from speaker(s)
1.Reset PRAM (Press the power button, then hold down the Option-Command-P-R keys until
you hear the startup chime at least one additional time after the initial startup chime).
2.Verify that the speaker cables are connected properly to logic board, and check cables for
damage.
3.Use the Software Update control panel to verify that the latest audio update has been
installed.
4.Press the F3 key (with the fn key pressed and not pressed) to verify that mute mode is not
enabled.
5.Press the F4 or F5 key (with the fn key pressed and not pressed) to check the volume setting.
6.Verify no external speakers or headphones are plugged in.
7.Shut down computer and restart.
8.In System Preferences, open Sound, select Output, and set the slider bar to either the
left or right speaker. Play a sound to tell which speaker is not responding and may need
replacement. Based on results, replace either the left or right speaker.
9.Replace logic board.
Related article: 58463: iBook: Sound Capabilities
Microsoft Offce applications will not open
Under certain circumstances, if a user installs Final Cut Studio 5.1, Microsoft Ofce applications
may no longer launch.
1.Verify that both Final Cut Studio 5.1 and Microsoft Ofce are installed, if you have not already
done so.
2.Update pre-binding. See Knowledge Base article 303677, “Intel-based Mac: Microsoft Ofce
doesn’t launch”, for instructions.
Windows XP will not install correctly
Boot Camp Beta lets you install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac. However, Windows XP
may not install correctly on this computer when an Apple Mighty Mouse is plugged in. Use the
computer’s built in trackpad until after Windows XP is installed and Windows recognizes the
trackpad. See Knowledge Base article 303575, “Boot Camp Beta: MacBook Pro frequently asked
questions (FAQ)”.
Block Diagram
Study the block diagram to understand which I/O ports have a direct connection to the outside
world and which ports have an I/O interface controller between the system I/O mapper and the
outside world.
For example, let us say you are troubleshooting an AirPort connectivity symptom. Input to the
AirPort Extreme Card comes from the MLB. Power and addressing of the card are necessary for
it’s operation. Microwave data output signal to the antenna is the desired output and this too is
necessary for the card’s operation. You have three components to check to discover fault with
AirPort operation: MLB, AirPort Extreme Card, and antenna.
If installing a known-good AirPort Extreme Card restores operation, you need to focus on the
original card. If the known-good card does not restore operation, you need to focus on the MLB
or the original antenna.
When you focus on the MLB, from the block diagram, you can see that the MacBook (13-inch)
AirPort Extreme Card is on the PCI Express bus. Investigate other devices on the PCI Express bus,
such as the Ethernet controller. Determine if the Ethernet port is working. (System Profler is a
good tool to verify I/O.)
If the Ethernet port is working, the MLB is probably functioning; focus on the original AirPort
antenna. As an additional test, if you can see both the known-good AirPort Extreme Card and
original AirPort Extreme Card in System Profler, suspect the antenna.
External and Internal Views
Front: Keyboard and IR Window
Battery Bay: Memory Card Levers and Hard Drive Pull Tab
Important: The following image shows the memory cards and hard drive installed in the battery
bay with the L-shaped RAM door removed. Note the correct position of the memory card levers.
Some images pictured in this manual used a pre-production model, so the direction and
appearance of the levers difers from the accurate depiction shown.
Top Case Removed: Main Modules and Cable Routing
Refer to the following images in this section for an accurate depiction of the main modules and
cable routing with the top case of.
Screw Matrix
Top Case Screw Locations
Note: Screw lengths are approximate and cover the full length of the screw, including the screw
head. Screw size, location, and part number details are subject to change. To ofer a needed
correction, click the Contact Us link on Service Source Online.
Top Case Removal Screw Locations
Display Module Screw Locations
Note: Screw lengths are approximate and cover the full length of the screw, including the screw
head. Screw size, location, and part number details are subject to change. To ofer a needed
correction, click the Contact Us link on Service Source Online.
Logic Board Screw Locations
Note: Screw lengths are approximate and cover the full length of the screw, including the screw
head. Screw size, location, and part number details are subject to change. To ofer a needed
correction, click the Contact Us link on Service Source Online.
Logic Board Screw Locations
Screw Reference Chart, Part 1 of 2
Screw Reference Chart, Part 2 of 2 Screw Chart
Exploded Views
MacBook (13-inch)—Display Exploded View
MacBook (13-inch)—Main Exploded View
MacBook (13-inch Late 2006)—Display Exploded View
MacBook (13-inch Late 2006)—Main Exploded View
