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justinf77 · Jan 8, 2004, 12:13 PM

I just received my PowerBook back from Apple on Monday night. Over the past couple of days, I noticed that the casing is not as secure as it was, and that the keyboard was not fully level. In an attempt to fix this myself (because I leave for London on Saturday for school and wanted to fix it before then), I opened up the case and tried to see if I could find the keyboard problem, and then resecure the case hoping to get a better fit.

In reassembling the case, I accidentally screwed in one of the tiny screws from the side into the DVI screw hole! Now it is stuck in there and I can do nothing to get it out, except remove the logic board which I think would be a DUMB idea. This is a 15" AlBook by the way.

So now, the case still does not sit properly, and I have a screw stuck in the wrong place. The only good thing is that the PowerBook functions perfectly, for now. However, I am noticing my uneven illumination problem creep back again, and if this thing has to go in for repair again, won't they notice my attempts to fix it myself? Am I SOL?

Somebody please offer some advice, this has really got me stressed out as I am a perfectionist and just want the computer that I paid for.

typoon · Jan 8, 2004, 12:15 PM

Probably. If they see any attempt at self repair or of any tampering with the case it probably if not most likely will void the Apple Care.

fizzlemynizzle · Jan 8, 2004, 12:26 PM

Just tell them that's the condition it was in when it was returned. Other than the screw, it's the truth. One screw should not equal a warranty void.

anaphora68 · Jan 8, 2004, 12:27 PM

It does sound like you're SOL, however, have you tried backing out the screw with a torqued screwdriver? The extra leverage won't hurt with the screwdriver.

Hope this helps, otherwise I don't know what else to tell you.

typoon · Jan 8, 2004, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by fizzlemynizzle:
Just tell them that's the condition it was in when it was returned. Other than the screw, it's the truth. One screw should not equal a warranty void.

If your machine was touched by a non qualified Apple tech in anyway it will most likely void the Applecare whether it's one screw or not

cliff · Jan 8, 2004, 01:57 PM

I actually did the same thing to my 17 rev B. It came back from repair and a few things weren't working so I'd figure I could open the case and seat a few cables. Upon putting it back together a screw got stuck in the DVI port, I just used a tweaser to retrieve it, sent the machine back to Apple and they repaired it under warranty. Even replaced the top of the case for me! Now my PB is good as new

justinf77 · Jan 8, 2004, 01:58 PM

In any case, being that I had the uneven illumination problem BEFORE I touched the PowerBook, will Apple repair it again if the problem returns? Obviously it was a problem before I even touched the PowerBook, so they should still fix it, right?

I do not mind the stuck screw, as I never use DVI or VGA out, and anyway can get the case replaced by Tekserve when I return from school in April.

I cannot believe how dumb I was...

EDIT: How did you fit a tweezer in there? The hole is SO small...

cliff · Jan 8, 2004, 11:42 PM

I just stuck one side of the tweaser (the smal ones that come with standard computer toolkits) in the hole and dug it out. All repairs done by Apple has a 30 day warranty on the repairs themselves. You should't have a hard time getting them to fix it. Unless they see that screw in there and come to the conclusion that the PB was open..

PB2K · Jan 9, 2004, 07:29 AM

You just have to stay stubborn in defending your claim that the screw was there all the time. Believe me, they heard worse stories, but at least it wont get the wrong ball rolling (: unauthorised repair with all its consequences).

Eug · Jan 9, 2004, 09:48 AM

Urgent! Did I completely screw up my warranty?

Was that a pun?

But yeah, screwing with your laptop like that is risky while the thing is under warranty. That said, my TiBook drive has been flashed to another non-Apple firmware. We do stupid things sometimes.

Hope things work out for you.

Tantrum · Jan 9, 2004, 12:38 PM

or you could say that you were putting in the airport extreme card in...i think that's an exception excuse to open up the pb...not sure though.

popstand · Jan 9, 2004, 01:17 PM

You don't have to open up the case to install an airport extreme card...

tooki · Jan 10, 2004, 04:33 PM

Note that the Apple service guide PDF for this model specifically and explicitly warns about this problem, and the fact that undoing said goof-up requires basically stripping the machine down to its component parts. I guess a prototype technician at Apple must have done the same thing for them to even know to put it in the service guide.

tooki

justinf77 · Jan 10, 2004, 05:44 PM

Well, I am returning to school in London tomorrow. The PowerBook will be picked up for service on Tuesday, because the backlit keyboard does not work like it did before the repair (many of the keys just do not light up). I know this is not something I did by opening the case, as I noticed it before that happened.

I will let you know how AppleCare treats the situation. I am hoping to get lucky because of two different repair facilities.

Thanks for the help!