So I went to the store today to get my iBook fixed. They had seen the problem before and because the machine was still under the initial year warrantee they'll do the repair for free. I should hear within the next 48 hours what the exact problem is.

It's funny but when they booted the machine up the screen worked again. Figures. They said that also happens a lot -- problems magically go away when people bring the machine in. They'll keep it on for a while until it breaks again.

They also confirmed that I can buy the extended warrantee up until my initial year expires, which is mid-December. It's two more years for $390 CAN and transferrable if I sell the machine. Given this problem I might get it just to increase the resale value.

Update Oct 15 00:06: Jamie tells me that the education discount price for the extended warrantee is only $280 CAN. Party on Wayne.

Update January 29, 2004 Apple has decided to fix these defective motherboards for free.