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catfootfog · Apr 15, 2005, 01:56 AM

Can someone advise me, please? The screen is 'shattered' internally -- not physically --
but 4/5 of it looks like an opaque, jagged, broken window.

I'm actually writing this from a still functional, tiny corner of the screen!
Does this mean that the HD is OK? I have sent and received email via Airport Extreme.

Questions--
-- What tests should I do to determine if the HD is OK?
-- what is the approx. cost to have Apple replace the 17 in screen?
-- what is the likelihood of 'hidden' damage?

in other words... would it be wise to buy a new computer? or repair this one?
It is about 11 mos. old.

This is a 17 in Aluminum PB, 1.5 GHz
There is not a single dent to the case!!! ??!!!

Thank you to anyone who can advise me.
Bonnie

Ruahrc · Apr 15, 2005, 03:31 AM

Unfortunately the cost of replacing that screen will be very, very high. I'm guessing at least $1000. Enough to maybe wonder if you should just invest some more and get a new 17" PB instead.

As for other damage... it looks like the HD is OK- is there a way to do surface scans on Mac OS?

Perhaps you can buy an external monitor, KB and mouse- and turn this into a "desktop" PC, and get a new PB to replace it...? Unfortunately the repair of a broken LCD screen is like the single most expensive repair a laptop can undergo

Ruahrc

Randman · Apr 15, 2005, 03:38 AM

I agree, thought I'd call it a desktop computer as PC still suggests Windows.

Have you run Disk Utility on it? Might want to do the extended hardware test and check everything to make sure nothing came loose.

If anything, you could try selling as parts but you'll be losing money on that as well.

jamil5454 · Apr 15, 2005, 07:06 AM

Well, you win some, you lose some.

I'd turn it into a desktop computer because my needs for a laptop aren't too extreme. Then I would buy an iBook to keep the mobility. But depending on your needs, this may or may not work for you. If you're tech-savvy, though, you could try getting a screen from a 17" off eBay and replacing it yourself. This is probably what I would try first, because you can't break the screen any further. Just be careful, take your time, and have some patience. In other words, don't load up on caffeine before attempting a laptop repair.

SEkker · Apr 15, 2005, 07:40 AM

Bummer!

The display screen runs $799 at powerbookmedic.com.

Apple's 'in house' fee for replacing a PB17 screen is $250 -- that's what the paperwork showed when Apple replaced mine under AppleCare. I don't know what Apple would charge you to have it replaced, but it's probably worth asking as the machine is under a year old.

If you turn it into a 'headless' powerbook, then you basically have one very expensive mac mini.

I would turn it on and use it to make sure everything else works (i.e. bluetooth card, all the ports, etc).

catfootfog · Apr 16, 2005, 12:43 AM

Thanks to each of you for your replies and advise.
My worst fears have been confirmed, but I am trying to be optimistic.
--I will have a rather costly extermal HD
--I didn't renew my extended warranty yet (saved that)
--will get Tiger w/ a new computer
-- I can probably transfer the old memory into the new computer
--Will have a new edition of the computer.. and won't have to worry about the possiblity something else might be not quite right after the fall. Sigh....

Anyway -- you all took time out of your day to write and help -- and I want to tell you that meant a lot.
Thank you.

Bonnie-- heading out to the Apple Store in the morning....

asodamiac · Apr 16, 2005, 02:37 AM

my friend said that he uses a third party insurance company to cover his mac from "accidental damages" like spills or even dropping his pb. if he drops it, and it breaks, the company will either replace it or pay off the bill for him. he didnt tell me which company did this for him (he said that hes covered through his mom or something). if you can look into it, maybe it would be worth the few bucks a month/year.

Crusoe · Apr 16, 2005, 04:03 AM

Several Options:

-Check your home owners or renter insurance if you have it. I doesn't hurt to ask if it's covered.
-You can sell for parts on ebay and maybe salvage $500-600 if you describe it's current state well and estimate how much repair will cost.

The mobile hard drives can take a pretty good shock so it should be ok. I would hook up an external monitor and run the apple hardware test and disk tools. If all checks out, I would bite the bullet to get the screen replaced. Do the math on cost of replacing screen, vs components for a desktop, vs selling for parts and buying something new, then decide.

jdogg99 · Apr 16, 2005, 12:22 PM

For what it's worth, I have seen damaged Powerbooks on Ebay selling for ridiculously high amounts. You might consider taking what you can out of your broken book (ie, memory) and buying a new one. The net loss from this procedure might be less than the price of purchasing a new LCD and trying to install it.

asodamiac · Apr 16, 2005, 01:41 PM

i thought the HD locks up when its falling so that you dont damage the discs? shouldnt the HD be alright?

hldan · Apr 16, 2005, 03:45 PM

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend keeping it as a desktop replacement. Reason being that if you go out and buy say and an Apple Cinema Display and use the Powerbook for the CPU you may want to get rid of it later on and as it gets older the worth is going to hit rock bottom with a bad screen. Try and sell it now on Ebay, you may not get close to what you paid for it but it's worth more now than later.

TailsToo · Apr 16, 2005, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by asodamiac

i thought the HD locks up when its falling so that you dont damage the discs? shouldnt the HD be alright?

That's a new feature that just came out with the latest revs.

vinster · Apr 16, 2005, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by catfootfog

Can someone advise me, please? The screen is 'shattered'

<...snip...>

Thank you to anyone who can advise me.
Bonnie

Call Apple Support, open a case and send the computer in for analysis. This will ensure you get a complete repair as there could be other problems even if it appears that the LCD was the only component affected.

Ruahrc · Apr 17, 2005, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by SEkker

Bummer!

The display screen runs $799 at powerbookmedic.com.

Apple's 'in house' fee for replacing a PB17 screen is $250 -- that's what the paperwork showed when Apple replaced mine under AppleCare. I don't know what Apple would charge you to have it replaced, but it's probably worth asking as the machine is under a year old.

If you turn it into a 'headless' powerbook, then you basically have one very expensive mac mini.

I would turn it on and use it to make sure everything else works (i.e. bluetooth card, all the ports, etc).

Does that mean if you have AppleCare it still costs you $250 to replace the screen? Or is that just an internal thing Apple keeps track of (work was still done so it "costs" $250). Do you think $250 is the cost of screen replacement if you don't have AppleCare? That's really cheap to me!

Ruahrc

SEkker · Apr 17, 2005, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Ruahrc

Does that mean if you have AppleCare it still costs you $250 to replace the screen? Or is that just an internal thing Apple keeps track of (work was still done so it "costs" $250). Do you think $250 is the cost of screen replacement if you don't have AppleCare? That's really cheap to me!

Ruahrc

AppleCare covered the full cost of the screen replacement, the $250 was an internal billing statement.

Would be nice if Apple would allow the customer, when the damage is under warranty/AppleCare, to pay AppleCare prices for a repair that is the customer's fault like this.

I don't know what Apple would quote you for this repair, any Apple technicians around here?