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Superchicken · Mar 23, 2005, 01:05 AM

I'm not asking if Apple would replace it I know they won't... but a friend online who just got her first Mac in September had it completely smashed by her older... very stupid and violent brother. She saved all her cash and stuff for it and really can't afford another one. Check out this photo of it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...x/CIMG0668.jpg

They couldn't even get the stuff off the HD in Target mode.

Her parent's solution is to buy her some crappy PC laptop.

Cipher13 · Mar 23, 2005, 01:10 AM

Well, I'd be making the older brother pay for it. Depending on their ages, I'd even go so far as to make it a legal issue. Anyway, will insurance not cover it in any way?

I don't see why the data wouldn't be recoverable, though. This thing is screwed, so if insurance won't cover it, take it apart (not hard) and pull out the hard drive.

The machine will also probably work fine with an external monitor, as a cheap desktop solution...

Superchicken · Mar 23, 2005, 01:20 AM

I was thinking she should try and hook up an external CRT but I'm not sure if the whole machine isn't FUBARed...

demograph68 · Mar 23, 2005, 01:22 AM

If someone did that to my computer I'd rip their ****ing guts out!

Xeo · Mar 23, 2005, 01:36 AM

If it won't boot in Target Disk mode, then hooking an external monitor up to it won't make a difference. A Cipher said, the data should be recoverable. Buy a 2.5" enclosure and make a FW/USB2 pocket drive (as well as getting all her stuff back).

There might be other stuff out of it that might still be good, such as the logic board itself. If you have any connections to tech people, see if you can get someone to test it for free. Any installed RAM should be good too.

Salvage what you can. Have her get the older bro to pay for it. Some people have anger problems. Sometimes, especially with family, those same people will realize their mistake and try to take care of it once they've calmed down. It doesn't excuse the behavior, but it could at least mean a new book (with external drive for backup now).

Oh, if the "D", "N", "C", and "pg dn" keys are in good shape, I'd be happy to buy them for a few bucks. The lettering on those 4 keys is slowing chipping away on mine. "pg dn" is the least problematic. I almost have no "D" left at all though.

Hell, name a decent price and I'll take all the keys just for backup. I assume the keyboard itself is shot considering the condition of the display and the lack of Shift keys.

The Godfather · Mar 23, 2005, 01:37 AM

Was there a good reason why this brother went ballistic over the laptop? What's up with the fraternal rage?

CharlesS · Mar 23, 2005, 03:11 AM

Get that bully to pay for the laptop.

There's no way in hell he should be able to get away with that.

Ω · Mar 23, 2005, 04:17 AM

I thinks we needs to send out da boyz for a bit of edgamacation

nredman · Mar 23, 2005, 04:25 AM

when someone smashes your ibook and refuses to pay for it, don't take the law into your own hands...you take them to court

TETENAL · Mar 23, 2005, 05:18 AM

Originally posted by Superchicken:
Her parent's solution is to buy her some crappy PC laptop.

My solution would have been to make the brother buy her a new iBook.

Eriamjh · Mar 23, 2005, 06:02 AM

Find someone to smash her brother.

mitchell_pgh · Mar 23, 2005, 06:04 AM

SOLUTION:
1) Have the brother pay for it, or as much as he can now and a specific time as to when he will have the final payment. (get SOMETHING from the brother... even if it's 1/2... because 1/2 is better then 0)

<brother is a deadbeat alternative>

2) Contact your insurance. I'm sure they are going to want to know how it broke. I'm not sure how they would handle it.

3) Start saving all over again

Hawkeye_a · Mar 23, 2005, 06:30 AM

i can see another iBook and an apple keyboard in the picture.

demograph68 · Mar 23, 2005, 06:42 AM

Originally posted by Hawkeye_a:
i can see another iBook and an apple keyboard in the picture.

He was using it try and save his files from the broken laptop.

Dimethyltrypt · Mar 23, 2005, 06:51 AM

time to wear your raiders outfit and kill people!

screamingFit · Mar 23, 2005, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by Superchicken:
I'm not asking if Apple would replace it I know they won't... but a friend online who just got her first Mac in September had it completely smashed by her older... very stupid and violent brother. She saved all her cash and stuff for it and really can't afford another one. Check out this photo of it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...x/CIMG0668.jpg

They couldn't even get the stuff off the HD in Target mode.

Her parent's solution is to buy her some crappy PC laptop.

Hey, that's a cool desktop pic on there! Know where I can get a copy?

demograph68 · Mar 23, 2005, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by screamingFit:
Hey, that's a cool desktop pic on there! Know where I can get a copy?

Give me a computer and a bat and you will have the sweetest desktop of them all!

zerock · Mar 23, 2005, 08:37 AM

so why did the brother do this?

Apple Pro Underwear · Mar 23, 2005, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by Cipher13:
Well, I'd be making the older brother pay for it. Depending on their ages, I'd even go so far as to make it a legal issue. Anyway, will insurance not cover it in any way?

if samething happened to me...

Pay for it, or I call the cops and make a complaint. This is the type of thing that would make me disown my own sibling. I would not speak or even remotely acknowledge them for the rest of my life. (or until they show proper respect for the infraction)

I want motherf*cking justice for sh*t like this.

Ganesha · Mar 23, 2005, 09:27 AM

Get the brother some counseling before he beats someone up or kills someone.

finboy · Mar 23, 2005, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by Ganesha:
Get the brother some counseling before he beats someone up or kills someone.

Sounds like he needs more than counseling -- maybe calling the cops would have been a good idea, but it's prolly too late for that.

Somebody's brother or not, the guy's a danger to himself and others. Obviously.

historylme · Mar 23, 2005, 11:28 AM

WTF, I never thought about a family member doing this... but OMG, I would go insane if someone pulled that sh!t on my baby! I'm pissed off now, just thinking about it!

Superchicken · Mar 24, 2005, 12:18 AM

Sadly she's had to deal with him for a long time... doing things like dealing drugs out of the house and stuff, apparently he's regularly in trouble with the cops. And they act like she's the bad one.

Mr Kino · Mar 24, 2005, 12:45 AM

that is sooo sad, im sorry to hear this.

Ill dotane 5 bucks to a paypal account if you are up for it. and yeah she should sell what she can. Ram, HD, keys, even the case, some people are up for a case.

macaddict0001 · Mar 24, 2005, 02:34 AM

Originally posted by Mr Kino:
that is sooo sad, im sorry to hear this.

Ill dotane 5 bucks to a paypal account if you are up for it. and yeah she should sell what she can. Ram, HD, keys, even the case, some people are up for a case.

since its been thrown the case might not be doing too well.

webcookie · Mar 24, 2005, 09:32 AM

I think I'd make it a legal issue. The brother needs to buy her a new iBook and it's as simple as that.

If someone did that to my iBook.. there would be no accounting for my actions.

typoon · Mar 24, 2005, 10:10 AM

I'd be willing to purchase that broken laptop for parts or see if it could be fixed. What condition is it in? How badly damaged is the case? It might be salvageable with some repair. I'd be willing to contribute in someway via paypay to a laptop fund to help her get a new one it if was setup.

I'm glad that nothing happened to her. Didn't Apple just put some reconditioned iBooks on sale for like 700 dollars? Maybe you could or if she has that money could get one of those.

Superchicken · Mar 24, 2005, 01:32 PM

I just posted on the forum we both post on that she should look at those. I'll tell her about your offer Typoon.

TubaMuffins · Mar 24, 2005, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by Mr Kino:
that is sooo sad, im sorry to hear this.

Ill dotane 5 bucks to a paypal account if you are up for it. and yeah she should sell what she can. Ram, HD, keys, even the case, some people are up for a case.

thats the first thought popped into my head, set up one of those websites where you ask for just a few bucks from everyone to be put into a paypal account, but you may need to make up a better story, like she needs a computer for school (unless of course she does), if i could figure out what the hell is wrong with my paypal account, i'd give $5, maybe even $10, hate to see that happen to my ibook's brother.

hayesk · Mar 24, 2005, 02:20 PM

If a paypal site gets her iBook fixed, what happens when the brother breaks it again. I think SuperChicken's friend should be focused on fixing her situation, not her computer.

Mr Kino · Mar 24, 2005, 02:45 PM

You fail to see the point I see. There is a little girl out there. A little girl who saved and saved for months and months so she could have the laptop of her dreams, a 12 inch ibook and then her evil brother destroys it.

I actually feel really bad for her, simply because i have an extra iBook that i rarely use. (but i do use it, so please dont get any ideas =) heh)

so yeah, im down for dropping 5 bucks to help out a good cause.

typoon · Mar 24, 2005, 02:48 PM

How old is your friend. Just curious.

typoon · Mar 24, 2005, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by hayesk:
If a paypal site gets her iBook fixed, what happens when the brother breaks it again. I think SuperChicken's friend should be focused on fixing her situation, not her computer.

I can understand where you are coming from. I agree that the situation needs to be fixed. So that it won't happen again. That doesn't mean people can't be kind and want to help out. I offered to buy the broken laptop from her for a couple of reasons. First to try and see if it was fixable. If it was I would fix it and then figure out what to do with it. second if in the process of trying to repair it didn't work then it would have been no huge loss. His friend would have gained some help with a purchase of another laptop and I would have gained some knowledge of opening up a newer iBook without having screwed around with my personal laptop.

wdlove · Mar 24, 2005, 02:55 PM

It sounds as though the parents have no control over this young man. Very destructive behavior that indicates more criminal behavor ahead. Probably should be institutionalized if he can't be managed at home. Possible strong intervention now might interrupt this cycle of behavior. He also need to be made to repay his sister for what he has done. Needs to learn there are consequences for this type of action.

typoon · Mar 24, 2005, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by wdlove:
It sounds as though the parents have no control over this young man. Very destructive behavior that indicates more criminal behavor ahead. Probably should be institutionalized if he can't be managed at home. Possible strong intervention now might interrupt this cycle of behavior. He also need to be made to repay his sister for what he has done. Needs to learn there are consequences for this type of action.

Very true I agree with that. I doubt that she would be able to get that to happen. Apparently given his violent nature I'd be more worried about what he might do to her if she were to press the issue of getting him to pay for it.

mitchell_pgh · Mar 24, 2005, 06:14 PM

The brother sounds like a bum.

DeathToWindows · Mar 24, 2005, 07:19 PM

have the cops haul his ass in for some bubba love...

hayesk · Mar 24, 2005, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by typoon:
I can understand where you are coming from. I agree that the situation needs to be fixed. So that it won't happen again. That doesn't mean people can't be kind and want to help out.

Of course, I agree. I'm just saying the priority should be the situation. But since I don't have all of the facts, that's all I can say about it.

Superchicken · Mar 24, 2005, 08:17 PM

I've told her about this, and thanks for all your guy's generosity I'll talk to her about a pay pall account. But yah, she actually does need it for school, she's currently at a college that she's I think mainly there by loans and I think her church might have helped her out a bit. But yah the parents in general aren't to good either, at one point right before school they threatened not to co-sign the loan for her just because they were mad about something... but yah... I think one of the reasons I got to know her online is because she spent so much time on trying to get away from her crappy family sitch.

ghporter · Mar 24, 2005, 08:27 PM

First, if the brother is selling drugs from the house, he needs to be jailed-and well before he either hurts someone in the household or gets the whole family into legal trouble. At the very least, the next time he raises a finger to hurt someone or something in the house, somebody needs to call 911 and let the police take him away. They MUST NOT waffle on this! The brother is a danger to himself and others, and needs to be incarcerated and treated.

Next, your friend should see if there's anyone in her church who can help the family get their heads back together. This sort of behavior indicates that the brother has been out of control for a long time, and the family is powerless; he needs to go away for a LONG time, and the rest of the family will need help to deal with it.

Has anyone set up a PayPal account for this little fund raiser yet?

ghporter · 08:59 AM

Sorry for the accidental double post.

OpenStep · Mar 24, 2005, 08:45 PM

That broken iBook is the sort of thing you need to list on eBay. I sold a 17" PowerBook G4 that got smashed when it fell (and yes, this auction was clearly listed for parts only and all damage was described) for close to $1500. I bet that iBook G4 would sell for ~$400-500.

carrietehbear · Mar 25, 2005, 04:44 PM

Hi... I'm the one with a busted iBook. My parents ended up giving me enough money to get a refurbished one. It doesn't have airport extreme but it does have a combo drive (which my iBook didn't have because I had the education model). I have 2 keyboards that have all the keys but the shift keys (one keyboard was replaced by apple because my brother kicked the shift key out) and the second one I broke the shift keys by cleaning them. I'm willing to sell my old iBook after I make an attempt to get my files transfered. You guys are all so kind. I should have my new ibook by the end of next week. It's going to be rough since I have a paper due the 4th of April.

carrietehbear · Mar 25, 2005, 04:52 PM

A few notes about the sitatuion:
I no longer live at home full time... only when I'm forced to come home from school and during that time I try not to be at home. My brother is crazy and is now at the age where he refuses help. And the reason he smashed my ibook was because I was in the bathroom at the exact moment he needed it.

historylme · Mar 25, 2005, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by carrietehbear:
A few notes about the sitatuion:
I no longer live at home full time... only when I'm forced to come home from school and during that time I try not to be at home. My brother is crazy and is now at the age where he refuses help. And the reason he smashed my ibook was because I was in the bathroom at the exact moment he needed it.

It sounds like you are smart enough to know what's best for you.

If for the summers you have to go back home, I suggest looking into summer internship programs (hooked with your schools internship/summer programs) you can get full semester credits while living in different places. Check out, http://www.thesca.org/ for starters but there are many more places like this.

Over all, good luck.

CharlesS · Mar 25, 2005, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by carrietehbear:
A few notes about the sitatuion:
I no longer live at home full time... only when I'm forced to come home from school and during that time I try not to be at home. My brother is crazy and is now at the age where he refuses help. And the reason he smashed my ibook was because I was in the bathroom at the exact moment he needed it.

Jeez, with a brother like that I'd probably refrain from bringing expensive stuff like a laptop home.

Anyway, glad to hear you were able to replace the iBook. I think that the idea of selling the old one for parts on eBay is a good one. Just make sure you completely describe all the damage so people don't get misled. Also, if your new iBook doesn't have an AirPort Extreme card, you might try taking the one out of your old iBook. It might be damaged, but maybe if you're lucky the old AirPort card will still work.

sugar_coated · Mar 25, 2005, 05:16 PM

Some brothers can be mean.

carrietehbear · Mar 25, 2005, 07:02 PM

I have a summer job working as a camp counselor.

My old iBook was an education model and didn't have airport in it. Once I sell some parts I may think about getting one.

bubblewrap · Mar 25, 2005, 08:11 PM

He needs an asswhipping.
Your parent's homeowners policy would replace the computer.
Again, he needs an asswhipping.

MilkmanDan · Mar 25, 2005, 10:47 PM

Khaaaaaaaan!