PowerBook 165c inverted screen

[ibook99]

I own a PowerBook 165c, which is in great condition (even the screen hinge has never been repaired). It only has one issue, in the middle of the screen, the image appears to be inverted. This makes it very difficult to use to the point where I plug in an external monitor.

Is there any known fix for this, or is the screen permanently like this?

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Could you post a photo of the display when it's off? I suspect it's something related to the polarizer film, such as vinegar syndrome or similar.

 

[ibook99]

Could you post a photo of the display when it's off? I suspect it's something related to the polarizer film, such as vinegar syndrome or similar.

When the screen is off, it is completely black (as it should be). I took a bright flashlight, and I did not see anything unusual.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

I believe that there may be polarizer film on the back of the LCD as well, so that could be bad and not be visible when off? It's got to be something with that film because it's all that can explain how "natural" the inverted pixel area looks, similar to LCD tunnel vision. It doesn't look like something where some pixels are stuck inverted, and as well as that, the polarizer film can invert the colors depending on how it's installed. If it's failed in some way, than perhaps it could have caused that? not sure.

@techknight, @Paralel may have a better idea, they know a good bit about these old LCDs.

 

[Paralel]

I believe that there may be polarizer film on the back of the LCD as well, so that could be bad and not be visible when off? It's got to be something with that film because it's all that can explain how "natural" the inverted pixel area looks, similar to LCD tunnel vision. It doesn't look like something where some pixels are stuck inverted, and as well as that, the polarizer film can invert the colors depending on how it's installed. If it's failed in some way, than perhaps it could have caused that? not sure.

@techknight, @Paralel may have a better idea, they know a good bit about these old LCDs.

@3lectr1cPPC nailed it. It's vinegar syndrome of the posterior polarizing film. That's why you can't see it on physical inspection. Unfortunately dealing with posterior polarizing film degradation can be much more difficult.

 

[techknight]

@3lectr1cPPC nailed it. It's vinegar syndrome of the posterior polarizing film. That's why you can't see it on physical inspection. Unfortunately dealing with posterior polarizing film degradation can be much more difficult.

dealing with polarizing film in general is pain. the hardest part is getting it aligned exactly right, but also no debris between the sheet and the glass stuck to the adhesive on application. like applying phone screen protectors, it sucks and its not fun.