[urrl78]

3 strikes in my future? Hope so. The genious says if they don't get it right this 3rd time I get a new 17". The display is messing up again. So I sent it in today for repair. Now I am in Windows HELL. The PC I am typing this on is so slow...how slow is it? NO LIE. As I type letters the cursor moves but the letters appear about 1/2 second later. ARRRRRGH!!! This thing is much slower than my Mac's Virtual PC emulator. For now I must gnash my teeth and rend my garments until my 17" returns...GAHHH!

Let me get off this thing right now.

[nate_02]

Same here, I am sending my 15" in next week for the third time. Over the phone they said this is the last time they will fix it before I get a new one.

Its screen and keyboard is being replaced again. I kind of came to the concludion that i will never have a good screen on my 15".

[urrl78]

As I post this I am sitting at a genious bar using the Apple store Airport for the first time. Really cool not to use dial up. Unfortunately (Or rather fortunately?) the laptop came back with the same problem. Looks like the wheels are beginning to roll for a free laptop; at least the paperwork is beng done as I type.

[nate_02]

Just curious, is it a brand new one comparable to yours or a refurb?

[urrl78]

The Genius is talking new current version, but I will have to see it to believe it. I mean getting a 1.5 Ghz upgrade from my 1 Ghz seems a bit unbelievable don't you think? Nevertheless this is what I was lead to believe from the genius. That's right, a brand new current model. It should be resolved hopefully by the end of this week. And by the way, I was even allowed to take my old 17" home and use it till the issue is resolved. They checked the laptop when it arrived for repair and repaired what thet thought was the problem, a LCD cable connector, which was what I also assumed was the problem. But when I booted it up the screen problem was there. Intermitant problems like this are hard to pin down, and that is just the case here. It can look and act fixed when they send it back but it is not really fixed. It is cool that they see in some cases it is just more feasible to replace instead of attempt repair. Some gremlins are never caught and will always crop up later. Such is my case. I sure hope Apple does the right thing, as the genius said they usually come through. We'll see.

[urrl78]

Wow. Since my old laptop came back I guess they switched on Airport Extreme. Had no idea how it worked but as afore mentioned I was impressed when at the Apple store using it while waiting for the Genius to write out the paperwork request for a new laptop. Now here I am at my job this morning and the 17" asks me if I want to set "default" as my airport signal since no others could be found. Thinking it was some kind of error I checked "yes" anyway. I don't know where the signal is comming from but I am at my desk right now wirelessly on the internet. Wow, Wow, WOW is all I can say.
Free intrnet!

Question: it there any way to determine who's signal this is I am bootlegging?

[vinster]

Originally posted by urrl78:
[B)Question: it there any way to determine who's signal this is I am bootlegging? [/B]

Yes, you can use a program called MacStumbler to find out more about the signal you're jacking. I was able to get onto someone's wireless network when visiting my parents last Christmas. The network was wide open and I was even able to log on to the router (didn't make any changes but I could have locked out the owner if I wanted to). Amazing how many people leave their networks unsecured.

[urrl78]

Thanks for that info Vinster. I also remember there is a little gismo that locates wireless hot spots. At least it lets you know you are in an area where wireless is possible. Anyone remember the name of that little gadget? Looks like the signal is not comming from across the street but it is on the third floor of my building where I am, apparently close by.

[The Placid Casual]

Originally posted by vinster:
Yes, you can use a program called MacStumbler to find out more about the signal you're jacking. I was able to get onto someone's wireless network when visiting my parents last Christmas. The network was wide open and I was even able to log on to the router (didn't make any changes but I could have locked out the owner if I wanted to). Amazing how many people leave their networks unsecured.

I am constantly amazed by the insecurity of people, a *lot* of whom should know better.

[The Placid Casual]

Originally posted by urrl78:
The Genius is talking new current version, but I will have to see it to believe it. I mean getting a 1.5 Ghz upgrade from my 1 Ghz seems a bit unbelievable don't you think? Nevertheless this is what I was lead to believe from the genius. That's right, a brand new current model. It should be resolved hopefully by the end of this week. And by the way, I was even allowed to take my old 17" home and use it till the issue is resolved. They checked the laptop when it arrived for repair and repaired what thet thought was the problem, a LCD cable connector, which was what I also assumed was the problem. But when I booted it up the screen problem was there. Intermitant problems like this are hard to pin down, and that is just the case here. It can look and act fixed when they send it back but it is not really fixed. It is cool that they see in some cases it is just more feasible to replace instead of attempt repair. Some gremlins are never caught and will always crop up later. Such is my case. I sure hope Apple does the right thing, as the genius said they usually come through. We'll see.

Keep your fingers crossed! It would be a very very nice free upgrade!

[SplijinX]

Originally posted by urrl78:
Thanks for that info Vinster. I also remember there is a little gismo that locates wireless hot spots. At least it lets you know you are in an area where wireless is possible. Anyone remember the name of that little gadget? Looks like the signal is not comming from across the street but it is on the third floor of my building where I am, apparently close by.

There are a couple small devices that find wifi signals, here is a link to one:
http://www.geekextreme.com/modules.p...tent&id=80

Just be aware that if you are using an unsecure location, someone can sniff data you transmit and receive (ie swipe your credit card number when you buy something online). Also routers can be set up to log sites users visit. Just some privacy and security issues to keep in mind.

[urrl78]

Extraordinary news; the Apple genius just called to tell me that I have just been approved for a FREE NEW LAPTOP. I should be able to walk in and swap my old 1 Ghz for a new 1.5 Ghz 17" either this comming Monday or Tuesday. Let me just say this...

woo-woo!
woo-woo!
hoo-hoo!

Will keep you guys posted.

[iREZ]

Lucky dog you.

[urrl78]

Update: I am sitting in the Apple store with my BRAND NEW 1.5 Ghz replacement. Not one dead pixel and it looks perfect. Took a while but Apple did come thru for me. They did what they said, even upgrading my old 1 Ghz to a 1.5 Ghz. I am updating all of my software (iMovie, iChat, etc) while I am in the store, seeing I can do it all in minutes here via wireless instead of hours using dial up at home. Well it's all done. I would advise any new buyer to do this if you only have dial up at home, before leaving the store. Bye guys!

Oh, and by the way...WOO-HOO!

[urrl78]

Forgot to mention, if updating brand new laptop in store make sure you run your battery down first for a complete recharge. Mine was already at about 10% so I did not have long to wait before it gave the shut-off warning. I then plugged it in at the store and continued downloading updates. I still can't believe I have a totally updated 1.5 Ghz laptop. Bye bye nVidia, hello ATI.

[dodo_nutter]

although i have a 1.5GHz 15" im still jealous that you managed to get a FREE upgrade, get a free 50% extra on your processor!!..alright for some huh!!

Well i suppose you had to go through a lot of crap to get it, but anyway nicely done! ENJOY!!!

[urrl78]

It was not so bad a thing to go thru for a new laptop. Just send it in three times for the same problem and you're in.

Off topic, someone posted awhile ago that he got an Xbench score of over 140 on his 15" 1.5 Ghz. I just realized that the less tasks you check before the test begins, the higher your score will be. With all items checked I got this score:

Results 126.16
System Info
Xbench Version 1.1.3
System Version 10.3.4 (7H63)
Physical RAM 512 MB
Model PowerBook5,5
Processor PowerPC G4 @ 1.50 GHz
L1 Cache 32K (instruction), 32K (data)
L2 Cache 512K @ 1.50 GHz
Bus Frequency 167 MHz
Video Card ATY,RV360M11
Drive Type Hitachi IC25N080ATMR04-0

Unless you check all items before you start you will have an unfair overall score with others.