Cost To Have Apple Repair Lower Memory Slot?

Hi, Warren. Several people have posted here to report being offered a flat rate repair price for whatever ails an out-of-warranty Powerbook, in some cases covering several unrelated problems. The flat rates quoted have generally been close to the price you mention. If I were you, and if my Powerbook had any other problem(s) at all in addition to the bad memory slot, I'd jump at that price right away: almost any repair performed by an Apple technician would cost at least that much if it were billed on a conventional parts-and-labor basis instead of the flat-rate basis.

If there really isn't a thing wrong with your PB other than the memory slot, you could save some money by taking advantage of Wegener Media's memory slot repair service, priced at $250.

You can do the diagnosis by using your Apple hardware test. Find the original OS X discs that came with your system, insert the first one (should say 'AHT Version x.x' in small print on the label), reboot holding the option key down, choose Apple hardware test, click the arrow pointing to the right and follow directions. Choose the extended test. If you have either of the TechTool products, they can do the same testing.

When you went to the Apple store to speak to the Genius, did you schedule an appointment in advance, which you can do on the stores web site?

The toll free US Apple service number is 1-800-275-2273. Note being out of warranty and without AppleCare, they may want to charge you a $49 per incident fee for support.

Warren: It's hard to understand why you say the Genius was no help, since s/he quoted you a repair price far below what you had been quoted elsewhere. If you have two RAM modules for your Powerbook, and if you and/or the Genius have verified that each module works fine when it's installed in the upper slot but not when it's installed in the lower one, and still only the upper module is detected when both are in place, there is no doubt whatsoever about the nature of the problem: a failed RAM slot. And there's only one remedy for it that will be offered through Apple: replacing the logic board.

The slot is soldered onto the logic board, and Apple never does component-level repairs — if anything is bad on your logic board, Apple replaces the board. Other repair services, including Wegener, may be more willing to tackle component-level repairs on your board instead of replacing the whole thing.

Are you still within one year of the original purchased-new date of your Powerbook? It's possible but not likely, since the last Powerbook model still in production was discontinued in May 2006 (and that was a 12" model; the last 15" PB was discontinued in Feb. 2006). If you bought your PB brand new less than one year ago, you can still purchase an extended AppleCare plan for it. If not, you can't, and either you've been misinformed about that option or rules are being bent for your benefit, which I think is very unlikely. But if you're within a year of the original purchase date of your Powerbook, then it's also still covered by its original warranty, and your logic board should be replaced at no cost.

Warren, the pricing for mail in repairs to Apple is pretty straight forward. If you send in a unit for repair, you will be quoted a "flat rate" repair charge. This will also be the final charge if there is no "accidental" damage to the unit, i.e. spill, user damage, etc. If they find any accidental damage on opening the unit, you will be contacted for a "requote" of the repair estimate and you will have the option to agree to or decline the repair at that point. Because the flat rate charge will cover the repair regardless of the part, it is not likely that you will get anyone to tell you before hand what part they will replace. Essentially, they are telling you that they will fix the computer for $xxx. You should get a notice after the repair letting you know what was replaced or you can contact AppleCare and they can tell you what parts were replaced.