This is a long story so I will try to summarize as much as possible.
A few weeks ago a friend of mine, Natalie, brought her macbook to the apple store because it quit working. It started acting strange so she shut it down and it wouldn’t start back up. No response at all, nothing. The computer had started to develop cracks on the bottom of the case that were projecting out from the bottom. There were two little bumps on the bottom where the cracks were.
Pictures can be seen here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jeffryan47/BrokenMacbook#
The people she talked to at the genius bar told her that she needed a new logic board and that the board melting into the bottom case caused the cracks. Note: This is what she told me they said. I don’t know exactly how they put it but they did tell her that the cracks were related to the logic board failure.
Since the computer was just out of warranty and Natalie being unable to spend $800… some dollars for the repair, I told her I would take a look at it.
So I pulled the top case off and started poking around. I had never pulled apart a macbook before and I was very impressed how it all went together. Everything looked fine to me, no sign of liquid spills, nothing broken, burned, etc. So I started pulling the logic board out.
I should note at this point that the logic board in this computer had been replaced once before, right after it was purchased. It was replaced by apple while under warranty.
While removing the fan/heatsink assembly I noticed something was wrong. The two screws that hold the fan in place were the wrong size. They are supposed to be 3mm, on the right side of the fan and 6mm on the left. Instead they were 6mm on the right and 9mm on the left. These screws were pressing into the bottom of the case, which is what caused the cracks. I found the 3mm screw in the heat sink hole closest to the ram slots, which was just sitting in place because it wasn’t long enough to catch any threads.
I figured that this had something to do with the logic board failing. Since the screws were causing two humps on the bottom case then it would shock the board every time you set the computer down. The left fan screw being right next to a processor, which is soldered in place, wouldn’t take too many shocks to break.
Since this computer was repaired by apple, I figured it would be worthwhile to go back to the apple store and discuss this. I didn’t really expect to get anywhere but it was worth a shot. Since this computer had a faulty repair from apple maybe we could get a little consideration, an apology at the very least.
So I took Natalie back to the apple store and we talked to the same guy she had spoken with the day before. I could write another ten pages on the conversation I had with the employees at the genius bar. Basically this was what I was able to get out of them: Because the faulty repair caused the two cracks they would replace the bottom case free of charge. The logic board failure could not be attributed to the screws being too long. (I disagree but ok). Since the computer is out of warranty she would still have to pay to replace the board but they would not charge any labor. And if she decided to buy a new computer they would transfer all her data for free. Fair enough, I understand their position and this is more than I expected. I only wish someone would have apologized to my friend who was crying because she can’t afford another computer and she needs it for college. BTW I don’t think she will be buying another mac in the near future.
I told her I would fix it for her. We would buy the parts online and it would be way cheaper than having apple do it. I gave her my macbook for the time being while I was fixing hers. We ordered a logic board from a company on ebay for $250 dollars.
So the board comes and I install it. Get the computer back together, plug it into the charger and it turns on automatically. That’s weird but what the hell, it seems to be working fine. I put the computer through its paces keeping a close eye on the temperature to make sure the processor was installed correctly and the thermal paste was doing its job. Sweet, im happy, everything seems fine. I called Natalie and she’s elated that her computer repair was only $250 dollars.
So I shut the computer down and let it charge up all the way. I go to turn it back on….nothing. WTF? Plug it back in, it turns right on and starts booting up. I start hitting the power button, nothing. No response. At this point I’m thinking what if the only problem with this thing is the power button? If that’s true Im gonna be really mad. So I take the top case off of my macbook and put it on hers, press the power button and hey! It works!
I thought there was no way that it was just the power button. It’s just a coincidence. Just for kicks I put the old logic board back in and put the computer together but with my top case on it. Press the power button and it starts right up. Now I’m pissed, and my friend is about to go on a rampage. Seriously? This thing needed a top case? That’s it? You wanted her to pay >$800 dollars for a logic board replacement when only the power button was bad. That’s wrong. Sweet diagnostic equipment you guys have. I’m sorry but this situation has ruined the whole apple experience for me. And I love my mac. I have been drinking the apple coolaid for a long time. I am very upset and would love to know if anyone else has had a similar experience. I sure hope nobody has paid for a logic board replacement that wasn’t necessary. And if you have had your board replaced, make sure the screws are in the right place.
Somebody needs to make this right, if nothing but a personal apology to my friend. She saved up for a long time buy her computer and now that she is in college she can’t afford another one. And I would like to continue to be an apple fanboy, cuz I love my computer. I’m not getting my hopes up but I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
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