Firmware update and SATA II hard drive

Push them harder; their product doesn't function after their update, the hard disk is user-replacable as per the manual!
Or just play plain ignorant, it doesn't work after the update etc.
But this is not the service you might expect from Apple, certainly not for a top-priced notebook.
These things are not the cheapest....

I got a swap of the logicboard and ever since it is performing like new....

I bought mine through a reseller, so if they are unwilling to either swap or refund, I'll talk to my credit card company. Anyone else who bought one on credit card should be able to do the same, and the CC company is jointly responsible. As Apple pushed this update to me (and I didn't get a chance to see the warning), I think I've got a reasonable case. I'll let you all know.

After one more hour on the phone with different levels of Product Specialists the following statements were made:
o The issue is known
o Engineering is working on a bootrom update
o ETA is unknown

o Alternate interim solution is to go to repair center and replace the "Logic Board"
o If only Logic Boards with 1.7 are available, the repair center can order logic boards with factory bootrom version "MBP53.00AC.B00" from their supply channels

Message was edited by: OliverF

This is indeed good news, if it wasn't just a way to get you off the phone 🙂 But lets hope somethings happens soon.

Just an FYI...

I received a phone call and an e-mail from an AppleCare Senior Tech support specialist on Friday July 3rd.

So Apple is aware of the problem.

I was e-mailed some Apple diagnostic software, I put my "broken" drive back in the Macbook and ran the software for 15-20 minutes and e-mailed the diagnostic info back to the specialist.

I was not given an ETA as to when the problem would be addressed though...

They are working on the problem now as we speak as I have talked to them a few days ago. They will soon have a patch/update to fix this issue for everyone. Just be patient.

I was contacted by Apple on Thursday July 2nd and provided more detailed information for Apple engineers. I have not received any updates other than that they thanked me for the information and are working on a solution.

I'm going to ring my campus Apple center and try my luck. I'll report my findings here.

Update: My Apple Center rep was unaware of the issue, is aware of it now, is speaking to his manager and tech to see if they can honor the exchange without a restocking fee, and will be calling me back. My guess is, this doesn't bode well for an exchange without a restocking fee.

Jettisoned,

This line about third party drives being unsupported is disingenuous at best. The gulf between what they're saying and what they're doing reveals an opening that, with enough pressure, should allow you to get what you want.

First of all, on the 1.7 update pages it states that the firmware itself is designed to allow users to utilize drives that support higher transfer speeds, while at the same time warns that these drives are unsupported. Unfortunately for Apple the existence of the firmware update itself negates the claim that Apple does not support these drives, as the update is designed to allow for the use of these drives. If they had not addressed the issue with the original firmware update to 1.7, maybe then they would have a legal footing re:lack of suppeort for user upgraded drives. But then...

Secondly, the simple fact is Apple does not sell internal hard drives from their website, yet their laptops include explicit instructions for upgrading the drive. This is another case in which Apple's stated policy of "not supporting third party drives" does not jive with its own actions.

When pressed, inconsistencies like these, should always be adjudicated to benefit the consumer. Push harder, go up the chain of command at the store level, district manager, regional manager, etc. Let them know the BBB and your state's Attorney General will be notified. Good luck!

Update: They are exchanging it without a restock fee, and they added my Apple case number so presumably I can install a Scorpio and delete and not install the EFI upgrade on the new machine.

I called again and there's "no reason to allow an exchange if I'm using a drive that is explicitly unsupported by Apple". I order a Seagate ST9500420AS last night from Zones and it just arrived. I'm going to try that drive and see what I find since it's the drive that is shipping from Apple as a CTO. I'll update everyone as to what I find.

I have this drive as I'm sure many others do and it does not work. you can search this thread for the model number to see problems.

Apparently I just wasted another $20 in shipping because this drive doesn't work either. Can't even format it. I'm really really unhappy with Apple right now. Really unhappy. To dump salt in my wound they WILL NOT TELL ME which Drives they recommend. They WILL NOT TELL ME which drives are supported. They WILL NOT TELL ME what specs are supported. Classic sealed lips so I can waste my time doing their beta testing. That is Microsoft's way of doing things and I can't believe that this is what Apple has become. What an utterly garbage company. I'm left with no option other than to pay the $160 to return the machine that does not work. Pro machine my rear end. I wouldn't give this crud to a student little alone a pro. DO NOT BUY A MACBOOK PRO!!!! Buyer's Beware! Regardless of what you were told when you purchased this computer you will not be able to upgrade your hard drive. They are lying to you and you will be completely on your own.

If you've got the EFI 1.7 and you want to use a third party drive, your best bet is to try for an exchange and use the new MBP without the EFI 1.7. If you notice spinning beach balls with your stock drive, or slow access times, you could probably talk them into an exchange.