15" Macbook pro problem-Advice/Help

snaphappy

Hi all,
I have been using my macbook pro for a little under a year now. So far it has had the battery replaced 3 times. Also it crashes, wiping all my memory, this has happened 4 times to date, the most recent prompting this thread.
I rely on my computer for work, it has cost me a considerable amount in lost business in the last year.
Any advice,
Would pushing for a replacement get me antwhere?

Sad Professor

Wiping all memory? What do you mean?

What kind of crashes have you experienced? Does it just freeze? Or is it a kernel panic (error message in black box)?

It might be a bit early to ask for a replacement. They'd have to try and repair it first. I don't think replacing the battery counts. Were the batteries definitely faulty?

I assume it's Apple you've been dealing with?

snaphappy

Sad Professor wrote: »

Wiping all memory? What do you mean?

What kind of crashes have you experienced? Does it just freeze? Or is it a kernel panic (error message in black box)?

It might be a bit early to ask for a replacement. They'd have to try and repair it first. I don't think replacing the battery counts. Were the batteries definitely faulty?

I assume it's Apple you've been dealing with?

Hi Sad Professor,
The system just locks up, nothing works, then it just turns off. When I restart, all my data is lost, all the programs are still there but they have reset, have to go through the product registration process again. All stored data ( pictures in Aperture, Music in iTunes, Etc) has disappeared. It has been back to my local apple service center 3 times now. With regards to the batteries the first one exploded ( quite literally ), the second and third were replaced by the apple service center, however I have my suspicions that the latter two were changed only because they could not find any other faults. This was the impression i got from them any way.

Sad Professor

snaphappy wrote: »

Hi Sad Professor,
The system just locks up, nothing works, then it just turns off. When I restart, all my data is lost, all the programs are still there but they have reset, have to go through the product registration process again. All stored data ( pictures in Aperture, Music in iTunes, Etc) has disappeared.

This is really weird. Are you absolutely sure the data is gone? It sounds like when the system restarts it's getting you to create a new user account. Is the old one still there? Have a look in your HD > Users folder.

Also have you verified the hdd using Disk Utility? Did it report any errors?

whiterebel

Ring Apple Customer Service. Explain as you did above, thats it been in numerous times for repair and FIRMLY tell them you want it replaced, as its obviously not fit for the purpose intended. ~Don't rant or lose the temper, but get your point across - if it means sending it in for one more repair do it - You will still have 3 months from the repair date if it goes wrong outside the warranty. Also explain about it being a business machine and you will not buy a Mac again if it means losing so much time and money due to an unreliable machine.

snaphappy

Sad Professor wrote: »

This is really weird. Are you absolutely sure the data is gone? It sounds like when the system restarts it's getting you to create a new user account. Is the old one still there? Have a look in your HD > Users folder.

Also have you verified the hdd using Disk Utility? Did it report any errors?

Yup all gone, same account, it's literally like hitting a reset factory settings button. It is running alot slower than normal. When I had these problems before there was a disk error. The service center wiped the computer and started from scratch. This time there are no disk errors.
Something else strange is that the software that I installed first day ( i.e. aperture, photoshop, office, etc) are still installed but any updates i have installed since have vanished, all the programs are running the versions first installed from the disks. I also had to re-register for all the programs.
I have a reasonable understanding of computers, but this has knocked me for six.

P.S. thanks for all the advice and help. Much appreciated.

alan4cult

snaphappy wrote: »

Hi Sad Professor,
The system just locks up, nothing works, then it just turns off. When I restart, all my data is lost, all the programs are still there but they have reset, have to go through the product registration process again. All stored data ( pictures in Aperture, Music in iTunes, Etc) has disappeared. It has been back to my local apple service center 3 times now. With regards to the batteries the first one exploded ( quite literally ), the second and third were replaced by the apple service center, however I have my suspicions that the latter two were changed only because they could not find any other faults. This was the impression i got from them any way.

Exploded. Did this cause any damage internally? Has it ever crashed while not running on batteries (i.e. from mains)? I would agree that contacting Applecare is most certainly the solution.

snaphappy

alan4cult wrote: »

Exploded. Did this cause any damage internally? Has it ever crashed while not running on batteries (i.e. from mains)? I would agree that contacting Applecare is most certainly the solution.

Admittedly i use the word exploded in the dramatic sense. Warped and expanded greatly would be a fairer description. It has crashed both while on mains power and on battery power. In the past I contacted Apple Care and went through the usual 40 min phone calls trying to fix it, but in all cases they gave up and told me to book it into the Apple service center, a local company subcontracted to serve this role.

Sad Professor

The data reset thing is really weird. The hdd must be f**ked. Anyway I'd recommend doing as whiterebel suggested. The problem is obviously bigger than the battery. Demand a replacement.

snaphappy

Thanks all,
I will see what they say and let ye know how I get on.

BanzaiBk

I had similar issues with my CD MBP nearly a year ago. Case warping, dodgy logic board etc. After the second breakdown I demanded a replacement from Apple and got it. Seriously, demand a replacement.