Bugs in my MBP?

Question

Level 1

6 points

Bugs in my MBP?

Last month, I encountered this problem: "Not Charging" status and green light on the MagSafe adapter - only my battery was NOT charging (see details below):

Battery Information:

Model Information:
Serial Number: 6N90107 *VLA
Manufacturer: SMP
Device name: bq20z951
Pack Lot Code: 0000
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 002a
Hardware Revision: 000a
Cell Revision: 0100
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 0
Fully charged: No
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 4447
Health Information:
*Cycle count: 65*
*Condition: Normal*
*Battery Installed: Yes*
*Amperage (mA): -326*
Voltage (mV): 12583

My MBP was approaching its 1-year anniversary, so I sent it to be repaired under AppleCare. Two days later, I got a phone call stating that my MBP was a "biohazard due to an insect infestation" - therefore, the technician opted not to work on it and thus voided my warranty. The tech claimed to have pictures of the inside of my MBP.

I asked her to email me the pictures THREE TIMES and I have yet to receive them. They promptly sent my MBP back to me with a list of third-party service providers where I can "possibly" have them look at my machine.

I've always been a huge advocate for Apple until this incident where I feel they utterly screwed me with no remorse or consideration of my hard-earned dollars. As a self-employed, husband and father - whose livelihood is managed on his Mac - this has been catastrophic for me.

So now I have an 1yo MBP (which I spent over $2K to purchase) that won't charge, a voided warranty and a modicum and distrust for Apple.

<Edited by Host>

15" MacBook Pro (Late 2008) / 2.4GHz / 4 GB RAM / 250GB HDD, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Mar 4, 2010 6:36 PM

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Answer 1

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Mar 4, 2010 6:56 PM in response to favecast

That certainly sounds very unfortunate , favecast.

Did they provide any further information? What kind of bugs were they? If they aren't local to your area it might raise questions about whether they were already present before you purchased the computer, or invaded it after you sent it in.

Regardless, I think my first step would be to contact Apple Customer relations (phone 1-800-676-2775 for US users)

The first thing to try with a "not charging" issue like yours is an SMC Reset - see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 2

favecast Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 4, 2010 7:05 PM in response to Rod Hagen

Thanks for reaching out, Rod. Apple Customer Relations will be my first call in the morning.

The technician did not disclose the nature of these bugs. I had recently come back from California (I live in Texas), so I'm not sure when / where this "infestation" could have taken place. I keep my MBP pristine and there are no signs of insects.

I will post updates.

Cheers,

Fave

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Answer 3

Mar 4, 2010 7:33 PM in response to favecast

HI,

my battery was NOT charging

Did Apple replace the battery?

My MBP was approaching its 1-year anniversary, so I sent it to be repaired under AppleCare. Two days later, I got a phone call stating that my MBP was a "biohazard due to an insect infestation" - therefore, the technician opted not to work on it and thus voided my warranty. The tech claimed to have pictures of the inside of my MBP.

Interesting that this "infestation" was detected right before your one year anniversary.

If it were me, I'd take it to an Apple certified repair provider and see if they come to the same conclusions. Never hurts to get another recommendation. Don't mention anything about insect infestation.

More than one Apple store in Houston... http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=applestores+houston&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

I keep my MBP pristine and there are no signs of insects.

I believe you. If you weren't conscientious you wouldn't have AppleCare.

third-party service providers where I can "possibly" have them look at my machine.

I would NEVER take my Mac(s) to any third party service providers.

Take it to a different Apple store.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 4

baltwo

Level 9

62,374 points

Mar 4, 2010 10:33 PM in response to favecast

There are three Apple Stores in your area, make an appointment and let them handle it, if there's no satisfaction from your phone call.

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Answer 5

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Mar 5, 2010 3:21 AM in response to favecast

Hi-

To be considered a Biohazard, the insects would have to be known vectors of transmittable disease, whether bacterial or parasitic.

I would like to know the Entomologist that identified the insects, and what process lab technician used to ID or culture the hazardous entity.

For the majority of pest insects in this world, they are precisely only that- pests, not biohazards.

To make these claims on top of recent claims of health hazard due to cigarette smoke (tar) contamination (and refusal to honor warranty) borders on neurotic paranoia, rather than just ridiculous.

If this is indeed a "Biohazard", then the proper authorities (the municipalities health officials) should have been notified.

You have not been given due process, and have not been properly serviced under the terms of your contract with Apple.

Do not go silently into the night, sir!

-A fellow Self Employed Husband and Father, champion of common sense and responsibility-

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Answer 6

macjack

Level 10

111,204 points

Mar 6, 2010 5:20 AM in response to favecast

IMO, that AASP acted inappropriately. They should have called in a HAZMAT team to take the Mac. They would have quarantined the shop & and the techs until the hazard was identified. I would report them to the CDC!

On the bright side, at least it isn't snakes 😉

-mj

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