do i have to pay upfront when you have your laptop serviced

Our local AASP will charge for diagnosis, but I believe that if you get the work done there, the diagnostic fee will be applied to the repair cost. If you have access to an Apple Store, you can make an appointment at the genius bar to have a hardware diagnostics test done for free. If further testing is indicated, there may be a charge for that. (Assuming that you do not have Applecare, in case the diagnosis should be free)

On the other hand, if you want to explain your problem in more detail here, we may be able to figure out what the problem is and what to do about it. We're free!

Don't know about that, but had a recent experience where I was asked to pay up front for a diagnosis, so it was fresh in my mind. I think that's a fairly common practice, although I think DT&T will do a free diagnosis.

I had to pony $341.67 up front for an Apple depot repair. When they diagnosed the NVIDIA distorted or no video issue--which was what I thought was wrong--Apple refunded my $341.67 in its entirety and I got a free repair under the repair extension program.

Normally I fix my own, but not if I think I may be covered by an Apple program. I was willing to spring for a depot repair because I was fairly sure it was a logic board problem, and the depot repair is cheaper than replacing a logic board yourself.

It's well worth learning how to fix things--not only do you save lots of money, but you get all the fun and satisfaction of doing it yourself.

I remember your spotting that NVDIA issue a few times along the way. A few weeks ago my MBP just wouldn't boot. I tried everything and finally figured it was logic board, likely the graphics card, so I headed off to the Genius Bar. I was right, thanks to you. They had to keep my computer overnight as they had to have a logic board shipped in. It was a good feeling to pick it up the next day without having to pay $526. Meanwhile I got reacquainted with my Pismo, and couldn't believe how slow it was compared to the MBP. Thanks, again S.U. (Still not using your name out in the forums, right?)

😉 c

Nothing like having the issue in my own computer to make me aware of the possibility of it in others. It sounds like yours went the same way mine did, as mine had an intermittent black screen and eventually wouldn't boot at all. At the time I was 300 miles from any Apple Store, so had to call Applecare and arrange for my MBP to be sent to the repair depot. They were pretty quick though--I had it back in a few days.

In the meantime I was using a PowerBook G4, so I can relate to slow. I thought about using my free WallStreet, but I don't have a way to connect to the internet with it yet. I think I'll be able to when I can install Panther on it since I have a USB stick, but right now I'm trying to find a OS9 disc which I know I had at one time.

Been so busy I only get to the forums on a very erratic basis, so hadn't thought about whether or not to use my name or not. but you're more than welcome to use it.

Sue

Actually I'm quite comfortable using S.U. That way I can still think of you as a nice young man 😁. OK, the joke's on me.

Hope you find your OS 9 installer. I have the one that came with my Pismo, but I don't know if it will work on your WS. Let me know. I can send you a disk image and see if it works.

I am on the forum off and on. When the weather is nice I am out in the yard or out doing other stuff. I am getting a bit more comfortable with the new format, and can actually find updates on topics to which I contributed, so I am not quite as frustrated. I think some of my absence from the forums was due to my irritation and frustration. As I get used to it I think I am less so.

Ha ha! I haven't been called "young" in a long time!

As for me, I've been on the road a lot--right now at my Dad's on the Texas coast for a visit, and the 4th trip this year. I hope to get back at some point, but many other projects taking lots of time.

If I can't find the retail OS 9 disc, I may take you up on your offer. I do have some sort of disc for a PowerBook G3, but it won't install on the WallStreet. Apparently I need OS 9 to get XPostfacto to work to install Panther. At this point, the PB disc is in New Mexico and I am in Texas and the WallStreet managed to get left in Colorado. I really need to get my act together one of these days.

The new forum is still confusing, but I think it's working better than it was. I hope to get back one of these days--there seem to be a lot of new users who need help.

S.U. wrote:

Ha ha! I haven't been called "young" in a long time!

Only octogenarians and nonagenarians refer to me as a young pup, anymore, although my family doctor tells me I am younger than my stated age. Ah, well, it happens if one lives long enough.

You do seem to move around a lot. That alone should keep you young, although it increases the risk of having something you need here and now at some location where you are not.

About the disk, do let me know. Do you have a DropBox account? If not let me send you an invitation (for which I will need your email address) and I can send an image of the OS 9 disk I have.

Take care.

😉 c

Well I think my Dad is still looking for signs of maturity so maybe that's it.

I'm not familiar with DropBox so I probably don't have an account. You can reach me at msujm2 at gmail dot com and I can give you my usual email address. An image would be great! No hurry, though--I won't be back to Colorado until mid August.

Many thanks!

S.U.

S.U. wrote:

Well I think my Dad is still looking for signs of maturity so maybe that's it.

Frankly, I believe maturity is overrated, unless it means learning how to transfer our childhood skills into our older years. Growing up too often means losing much that is important to living successfully.

Not 'til August! That's a long break. That will help compensate for my procrastination.

😉 c

What do you mean "serviced"? Is there something wrong with your computer? How old is your computer? Are you having it "serviced" by a certified Apple Service facility?

😉 cornelius

You always say it so much nicer.

😉 c

Call the repair shop where you plan on having your computer "serviced" & ask them!

I had that happen once, way back when. The diagnostic cost was applied to the eventual repair. Something like $80 I think. That is when I decided I needed to learn more about Macs.

😉 c