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DigitalEl · May 26, 2004, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by Graymalkin:
Found in a search on this forum for "Missing Screws."
The missing screw has been vexing me to no end. It is one of the screws on the bottom of the screen with the miniature hex slot. I have no idea how that thing fell out, I've never messed with the screen before. I'm a little worried that when I bring it up to one of the people at the Apple Store they'll thing I had been goofing around with it.

I first noticed a tiny, shiny screw on my desk and had no idea where it came from, even after inspecting my PB. A few weeks later, I found another one lying on my desk.

Turns out they're the ones referenced in Graymalkin's quote from above. The Apple Genius Bar chick at Biltmore Fashion Square (in Phoenix) says it's not a known issue and that my PB will have to go back to Apple to have the two screws replaced... b/c they're not accessible due to the way the PB's screen is hinged.

BTW, I baby my PowerBook. It's always in either its Booq case or a bigger one for trips when I need to carry more... Actually, it rarely leaves my desk at all... Maybe once a week, if that.

Would you send your PowerBook in for such a seemingly minor thing? My screen isn't loose without these screws and my machine is otherwise just fine.

Advice please.

PS -- The AppleCare rep on the phone at 800-SOS-APPL was a d!ck. As Graymalkin wondered, he quizzed me up & down, suggesting I must've been trying to take my PowerBook apart or something. I spend all this time defending and evangelizing Apple products, then am made to feel like a scammer when I have a problem.

Now who's the sucker?

SplijinX · May 26, 2004, 07:24 AM

Eh I'd pay no attention to those phone tech support guys, alot of them are under pressure to keep call times down and spend their days deal maily with a bunch of idiots who call in about every little issue.

As for the screws, I have noticed that a lot of the tiny Phillips screws holding my 12� together have become loose and worked its way out even though I have never taken a screw driver to it before. Poor fit and finish maybe?

Have any of you other PB users experienced this?

roders · May 26, 2004, 12:03 PM

Same thing happned to my rev A 12" PB, (after about 2 weeks!) but it was never any the worse for it.

DigitalEl · May 26, 2004, 10:33 PM

Thanks guys. Anybody else?

vexingv · May 26, 2004, 11:28 PM

eeek...i'm worried about my 1 week old powerbook now....
are these the small philips screws on the side of the pb?

SplijinX · May 27, 2004, 08:47 AM

Yep. I think either they were not tightened completely or just has enough tolerance to work its way out over time. Just keep and eye on them and tighten with screwdrivers you would use on eyeglasses.

havyn · May 27, 2004, 07:44 PM

i let my little bro take my 12" rev. a on a trip to new zealand, australia, and japan just last semester. when he returned, the only thing that happened to my pb was that the tiny screw on the bottom left side of the screen had fallen out. oh, and he filled up my hd with pictures (literally...he took 6500 very high-res shots!). i attempted to use an eyeglass screwdriver, which did not work due the angle. i wound up using my finger to place and retighten the screw. it hasn't come out yet, so i figure it should be good for a while. DO NOT send your pb in to apple for such a small thing...there is no telling what could go wrong in the mail before it even gets to them - i wouldn't take the risk.