MBP replacement

ProjectColossus

Hey guys, looking for some advice on how to go about getting a replacement Macbook Pro.

Basic story, I few weeks ago I left my MBP in to Mactivate in Blanchardstown to be repaired, as there were a few issues with it... basically, the unit took a bump and the case was slightly dented and the optical drive had stopped working. For a few days, the condition deteriorated to the point that it stalled/crashed a few times, then stopped booting.

So left it in to Mactivate and they replaced the optical drive under warranty and sent it back.

Problem: While the machine would now boot OK, the stalling issues had not stopped and two days after getting it back, my MBP won't boot at all. I'm getting the flashing question mark folder.

Further problems: Since getting it back from Mactivate, the screen seems to have been damaged somehow... I've suddenly got a heap of dead pixels (or at least that's what they seem to be). In the bottom left corner, there is a large white spot with three small white spots nearby. Near the top left corner, there is a medium size white spot. These were definitely not there before being left in for repair.
Also, when I put a disk in the new optical drive, any movement of the unit produces a horrible whirring/buzzing sound. My guess is that the new drive is not secured in place properly.
Minor point, the case now squeaks when I rest my hand on the left palm rest.

I'm dual booting too so for a while, I was able to select a volume to boot by holding option (the alt key I mean if that's wrong). That doesn't work anymore though, and if I try the disk utility, I can't see either partition. Seems to me that the HardDrive is (still) faulty/damaged.

So, at this stage I'm inclined to contact Apple and request a replacement unit be shipped out to me (for free obviously). Pressing the point that I need it for urgent work (well I'm a Computer Science student, but I have a final year project I need to work on over the Christmas break). Anybody have any advice for me? To be honest, I'm not even sure who to call, as while I'm under hardware warranty, my phone support has expired.

One other points to consider: The aluminum case is corroding or something around the left palm rest and the case latch. Pretty sure this isn't supposed to happen.

Thanks for any advice. Also, I might not be able to check replies until tomorrow if you ask for any more details.

conor2007

well

you dropped it ?

ProjectColossus

I can't argue that I didn't do anything wrong. It was accidentally damaged on my watch. The specifics of which I don't think matter.
But I think that the official Apple repair place failed to fix it (or even address part of the problem), plus the new screen damage, plus (presumably) not fitting the new optical drive properly and case squeaking is annoying to say the least. I was told the (very slight) case dent is simply cosmetic (and not covered by warranty).

But hey maybe I don't have a case here. Just thought I'd get some opinions, so thanks.

conor2007

you may have

but i dunno , since you dropped it , and its not exactly apples fault . . .

setanta5

I've jsut gone through a very lenghty process to get a new MBP from apple. And i can tell you, even if it were unquestionably a warranty case, as mine was, you will not have your new machine for christmas break. My understanding is you will need to have the machine in for repair 3 times for the same issue befoer Apple will give you a replacement. I had countless phone calls and drop in to the genius bar and eventually after 2-3 months of pushing i got my replacement. I even threatened to take legal action as it was in for repair so much through its first 12 months

In Your case however i think you'll be lucky to convince apple they have to provide a replacement. As you have stated, it was you who dropped the machine. I do reckon you have cause to complain to mactivate though. If they did their job correctly they should have completed a job sheet when you brought in the machine. on it would have been noted the condition of the machine, any scratches or screen damage etc. (i got this every time from the apple store and also from Scotsys - an authorised repair place) When you get it back they would have you inspect the machine and sign that you are happy with its condition. They are notoriously tricky to put back together and one time i got mine back with a tiny gap between the case just above the disc drive. I pointed it out and they opened it and put it together properly. Check the documentation you got back from them after it was repaired...particularly anything you signed.

If i was you i would contact mactivate and complain about the condition you received the machine back in. Let them know there is still a problem with it and you;re not happy. I think you should only go to Apple if they refuse to look after you.

Something worth considering is whether the HD is knackered fromt he bump. You can boot from your OSX disc and run a Hardware check which will tell you if it is. If so it might be cheaper for you to buy your own than hve them replace it. I don't think they would cover under warranty and you probably were lucky enough to get the disc drive under warranty as it is...so you may wanna consider that before you get on the phone to them.

ProjectColossus

Thanks for the reply, plenty of useful info there.
Regarding the repair form I have, "Optical Drive" and "Booting to white screen" are listed are listed under "Reported Fault". "Actual Fault" is blank. "Action Taken" says "Replaced Supredrive. Repair completed on <date>" I'm quite certain that I told the person (that I watched type up this form) that it had been behaving erratically, all the stalls etc prior to getting to it's current condition, not booting at all.
I was not required to sign anything.
It is quite likely that replacing the superdrive fixed something, temporarilly, and that when it booted immediately they figured it was fine, despite my mentioning the other issues.

It may prove cheaper to replace the HDD myself alright (after another diagnostic perhaps), I'd be confident that I could manage it as long as I was sure that is what needed to be done. I'll call them shortly.

setanta5

Insert the OSX DVD and then shut down and boot from the DVD. there is a hardware diagnostic tool there that should tell you if your HD has got problems on it.

conor2007

most warantys exclude if you screw it up

ProjectColossus

Yeah I tried the hardware diagnostic earlier, and it did not seem to detect the HDD at all. Nor did the disk utility when I tried it yesterday. So, unless some cabling has come undone, it seems that the HDD is toast.

I would fully expect my warranty to become void if I were to open it up and damage something, and I would definitely consider that carefully before attempting a transplant. I think though, as I could almost certainly purchase and fit a HDD myself much cheaper than Mactivate or similar would charge me it is something to consider.

I called them earlier but did not get through. Not surprising, it being Christmas Eve and all. Happy Christmas guys, on that note

Hotblack Desiato

conor2007 wrote: »

most warantys exclude if you screw it up

That's the third completely useless post from you on this thread. Reported. If you can't be helpful and constructive, why post?

babypink

ninja, calm down.....different posting styles going on here, thats all.

ProjectColossus

Well since the thread has been bumped; Got in touch with Mactivate a few days ago and brought the machine back in to be looked at. HDD deemed faulty, priority warranty repair arranged. It's due to be returned tomorrow. As I hadn't brought the OS disks, they will throw Leopard on it which is pretty decent of them. A result I'm relieved about overall. Screen issue will just put up with, as it's not actually too noticable. Thanks for input.

Edit: In fairness, while conor2007's comments weren't helpfull, they were valid opinions and could be put up with.

unclebill98

Always be aware that if you take back the machine you are accepting the repair work carried out. Always check it before you leave the shop/repair place to make sure it works fine.

Had issue's with 4 12" powerbooks and pixal damage. 5th powerbook later before i got one that was working correctly. That shop is no longer open and i'd never buy from anyone other than apple after that. Got hit with the whole "there must be 5 pixals blown to warrent it faulty" story....

ProjectColossus

Interesting, well I have 5 pixel "areas" that seem to have failed (two quite worse than others) but as Mactivate themselves argue, they had no cause/reason to go near the lid/screen so... at this stage I figure I might have only recently noticed something that was there before. Like I say, the issue really isn't very obvious (luckily) and I'll be able to ignore it.

As for accepting a faulty repair back, as it was shipped rather than collected, I wasn't able to inspect it. As soon as I was able to report the problem, a repair was promptly arranged so I'm (provisionally) happy that Macrivate have sorted out my problem.

Oriel

Conor2007 is perfectly correct. You dropped it, you're not entitled to a replacement.
It's people like you who prevent genuine cases from getting a replacement. Stop chancing your arm and get insurance and learn from your experience.
Dead pixels? Take that up with Mactivate.

440Hz

Have to agree that you would certainly not have been enitled to a replacement and that the issue in this thread should have been your dissatisfaction with Macactivate's repair, if you believed this to be unsatisfactory.

The only way that you would be getting a replacement in this case is if the damage occured somewhere that could be covered by contents insurance in your home for example.

whiterebel

Having worked in Apple, I'd have to agree you were extremely fortunate to get the repair done in the first place. I'd certainly forget any idea of a replacement.
However, repairs are covered under a 3 month warranty themselves, so if its still not working they should fix it until it does. I can't see any reason why they would have had to interfere with the screen either. One thing I did learn through bitter experience though, is take photos (and lots of them) before you send anything for repair. I handed a Black "Wallstreet" into a place in Cork a good fe years ago and its casing was scratched really badly when I got it back. it was like they had dragged a box or soething across it. Never again.

ProjectColossus

I accept what you guys are saying. I'll be purchasing Applecare before the hardware repair runs out. While I maybe should have said it before, I'm no longer thinking of pushing for a replacement, nor did I officially request one or anything.

So. Sounds like maybe I've annoyed some of you by asking this stuff, I just wanted opinions really, and you were right to give me them between the eyes. And, I was lucky to get the warranty repair, I definetaly agree. After a hiccup with Mactivate not catching the problem the first time, everything ended up OK. Case has a small bump, screen has dead pixels which is hardly noticable and I no longer think I can figure that Mactivate could have done. At any rate, it wou'd be impossible to proove.
I don't think it's really fair to say "It's people like you who prevent genuine cases from getting a replacement" but no matter. Mactivate did a warranty repair at their discretion, and I'm still using the same unit. A lucky escape this time.

440Hz

ProjectColossus wrote: »

Sounds like maybe I've annoyed some of you by asking this stuff, I just wanted opinions really

Well you didn't annoy me, I just said what I thought, giving my opinion. Some people can be a little more irate in delivering their personal opinions, you'd get that on any board really, don't let it put you off. I can't speak for everyone on here, but I doubt anyone is annoyed!

Good to hear things are sorted now, or at least sorted to the point that you are happy with things.