Screen Flickering

[Aquabreeze]

So when I turn on my iPad 2, this is what it looks like: My webcam is not distorting the image. It seriously looks like the pixels in the screen are seperating. And it flickers, like it's receiving interference or something. I went to the Apple store which has offered to replace it. Here's the problem, though: I don't have a computer on which to store my data. (My laptop died.) I have the option of using my parents' computer (the one I'm using right now) to save the data, but both my parents have iPhones, and these iPhones are connected to the iTunes on this computer. If I want to transfer my iPad data to this computer, it will overlap with my parents' purchases, and I really don't want that. So I'm trying to see if it's possible to fix this myself. (I don't understand why Apple likes to give you a new one instead of fixing the current one.) Does anyone know exactly what's going on, and how to fix it? The Mac!genius said that it was some screen connector problem, but it actually started working again for about a day, so I don't know if that's really what's going on. ...And now that I've stopped rambling... yeah. Can y'all help me?

 

[leelai]

So when I turn on my iPad 2, this is what it looks like: <img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=7732"/> My webcam is not distorting the image. It seriously looks like the pixels in the screen are seperating. And it flickers, like it's receiving interference or something. I went to the Apple store which has offered to replace it. Here's the problem, though: I don't have a computer on which to store my data. (My laptop died.) I have the option of using my parents' computer (the one I'm using right now) to save the data, but both my parents have iPhones, and these iPhones are connected to the iTunes on this computer. If I want to transfer my iPad data to this computer, it will overlap with my parents' purchases, and I really don't want that. So I'm trying to see if it's possible to fix this myself. (I don't understand why Apple likes to give you a new one instead of fixing the current one.) Does anyone know exactly what's going on, and how to fix it? The Mac!genius said that it was some screen connector problem, but it actually started working again for about a day, so I don't know if that's really what's going on. ...And now that I've stopped rambling... yeah. Can y'all help me?

I've never come across a screen that looks like yours and this may well be a hardware issue here. Apple will always just replace rather than fix an iPad, I think it's just a much simpler way for them to do business. As far as iTunes on your parents computer goes, you can have quite a few devices connected and each of you can have your own account and keep them separate. I want you to try these steps and see how the iPad responds:
Do the four finger swipe up to reveal your multi task bar along the bottom. It will show all the apps that you have opened at one time or another. Long press one of these apps until they start to jiggle and red minus signs will appear above them all. Press all the minus signs, this will close them, not delete them. It's a good idea to do this regularly just to keep them all running smoothly, I do mine every night. Check and see if it is operating now. if not a restart is in order.

Restart: Press and hold the power off button, the one at the top right. You will see a slide appear to power off, slide this and the screen will go dark and a Whirly will appear. When the Whirly disappears your iPad is now off. Press the power button again until the Apple logo appears, this will take a few seconds and your iPad will start again. You should restart your iPad occasionally also as it will keep it running smoothly. Now see if it is operating. If not a reset is the next step.

Reset: Hold the power off button and the home button simultaneously, keep holding them in and you will see the power off slide appear and disappear, wait until you see the Apple logo appear before releasing the buttons. It will take a little longer for your iPad to start. This is a reset.

When your iPad begins to behave strangely these are the first steps you should do to rectify it. Let us know how you go, good luck!!

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Aquabreeze]

I've tried the restart and the reset, but it's not working. It's also extremely difficult to use the four-finger swipe when I have absolutely no idea what I'm looking at. Is there anything else I could try?

 

[leelai]

I've tried the restart and the reset, but it's not working. It's also extremely difficult to use the four-finger swipe when I have absolutely no idea what I'm looking at. Is there anything else I could try?

There is nothing more I can suggest, I'm thinking it may be best to get it replaced. another member may be along who may know something else though.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[twerppoet]

Definitely looks like a hardware issue.

To save your data on your parents computer, set up a new user and password on the computer and use that to login (to the computer). That will keep your iTunes library and settings separate from theirs.

Best to get their permission first, and explain that this will make it necessary for them to login to the computer too, if they don't already have it set up that way.

 

[twerppoet]

Or, if you have an Apple Store near, see if they will make a Genius Bar appointment for you and do the backups and restores there. It can't hurt to ask. All they can do is say no.

 

[Aquabreeze]

So the good news is, I managed to back up my data. My parents' computer already had a separate login for me, I just didn't realize that the iTunes library is specific to logins. (It is not a mac, so I didn't find it trustworthy.) So I transferred everything and backed it up, and even updated the software to see if it would do anything. It didn't. I don't trust that I could repair it myself and I don't want to void my warranty, so I'll be hitting the Apple Store and trading it in as soon as I can. I just hope all the projects I was working on in Storyist will be restored when I get the new one. (Do you guys know whether that will happen? That's really what's been freaking me out.)

Anyway, thanks for your help, guys!

 

[twerppoet]

Ouch.

Restoring documents is hit or miss. Sometimes (most of the time) it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Very hard to predict what will happen.

Your screen is messed up, but can you still navigate a bit and do things by half guesswork? If so, here is my recommendation.

• Get a DropBox account if you don't have one.
• Go to Settings > Storyist (hopefully you can find it), and enable the DropBox One-Tap Sync.
• Open Storyist and tap the sync icon at the top of the screen.
• Enter your DropBox user ID and password.
• Go to your DropBox site on the computer and check to see if your documents got synced.

This is the simplest method I could come up with, in hopes that it would be feasible with a difficult to see screen. If the screen is so far gone you can't tell what you are doing at all, I'm afraid i don't have any ideas. Sorry.

I'm including a couple screen shots to make easier for you to tell what you are looking at on your iPad.