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Level 1

32 points

Pop & smoke coming from macbook pro. Laptop died

Anyone else experience this rather strange phenomenon?

Purely out of goodwill, I am posting for this guy who purchased from me, a macbook pro 2.53 Ghz with 4GB RAM with a fresh install of Snow Leopard on it (gave him original discs etc with it). This machine worked like a charm with ZERO hassles while it was with me. ZERO hassles and it showed not even the faintest hint of any problem for the years I owned it. I took excellent care of it and it was in pristine condition working and looking like brand new even on the date of sale. Heck it was still giving me an easy 6 hours battery life and no signs of slowing down or anything.

Anyway, when he took it from me, he texted me close to the end of the day that apparently he was using migration assistant to transfer data from his old laptop to the MBP and he was about 10 minutes into the process wherein he heard a pop and then smoke came out from the back of the MBP and the computer shut down. I am at a COMPLETE loss of words, thoughts or ideas as to what the heck he did with the computer to have resulted in this smoky outcome.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? If yes, please please respond so this kid can be helped out.
Also, for something like this, what sort of backup or coverage does Apple provide? Of course the laptop was from 2009 with no Apple Care on it. Because honestly I could've taken care of most tech issues and never expected my laptop to emit smoke and get fried like that.
Thus, I am guessing and hoping that they uncondintionally take care of this issue because this is a very rare and strange phenomenon. Also, in all its probability, it's not like the kid was running a nuclear reactor through this MBP for it to go toast like this.
Could this be a batter issue? A power supply issue or a hard disc issue?

I would appreciate if someone could let me know anything related to such a problem (or similar) if it happened to them too. Any words of advice or suggestions would be most welcome as to how best to tackle this situation. I dont' want this kid to feel cheated off his money. If he is truly telling me honestly that it happened during just a file transfer then he needs to be helped and I want to provide him whatever information I can, so he doesn't lose his money.

Thank you for your time

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Feb 28, 2012 9:07 AM

38 replies

Phagun Oswal Author

Level 1

32 points

Feb 28, 2012 3:11 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

@ Texas Mac Man.....thank you. Thank goodness for finally a set of sane and mature replies. I already asked him to take it to Apple or some authorized repair shop. He hasn't responded all day. Let's see what he comes back with. I don't have many more details about the pop and smoke more than what I wrote above (i.e what he supplied to me).

He hasn't responded to me all day so I am hoping something got resolved or he turned it on and it worked.

I can only hope. But thank you for your response and for sending the link over.

Phagun Oswal Author

Level 1

32 points

Feb 28, 2012 3:19 PM in response to iVmichael

Hi iVmichael:

Thanks for your response. Here are my responses

#1 This is NOT my responsibility. I put up an AD on craigslist, the buyer approached me, I met him in person and showed him the laptop, let him play around with it and let him take his time with it to make sure he liked it and wanted to purchase it. He loved it, told me it looked brand new and happily took it....ALL THIS happened in person. Things on classifieds and craigslist are sold AS IS... he SAW it for himself how well (almost brand new it looked).

#2 Seems like the best option but it feels terrible because the timing of this is absolutely, rock bottom terrible.

#3 I might do that. He has to at least let me know how much repairs would cost. I would then feel bad for myself because all this while the machine was with me, it worked like a charm. One night it goes to someone else and it dies. I would feel bad as to why am I taking a hit for something that was of value and was working perfectly

#4 Seems like a good option its what I've told him already....once he responds I will try to work something out with him.

#5 I'm already facing an issue and am trying to help someone. Posting a cocky comment doesn't really help. I am NOT looking for someone to agree with me. Yes if someone would've come up to tell me that they experienced the same thing and that Apple covered them, that would feel great but I know that in the real world that is a very faint possibility.

Nonetheless, thank you for your time and response.

Phagun Oswal Author

Level 1

32 points

Feb 28, 2012 3:27 PM in response to Al Van Malsen

Hi Al:

Thanks for your response. Appreciate you taking the time to write something meaningful to me. I have already asked him to take the laptop to Apple or someone authorized to work on them. He hasn't responded all day. But I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Things are sold on Craigslist 'as is' and I gave him enough time and ample opportunity to assess everything and only then purchase. I didn't push him and even threw in a free expensive case and licensed software that he could have used. DOn't know how much or what else I could've done for him.

I will wait to hear from him but I am guessing that the hope of Apple covering the costs is a fantasy and I should give it up. The only best course of action is he get it repaired and I can only hope it doesn't cost him an arm and a leg. I really really hope so.

I just feel so bad that the timing of this occurance is so horrible. At the same time all the while I kept this laptop it worked beautifully. And just one day with someone else and it goes kaput!!! This just does not make any sense.

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Feb 28, 2012 3:29 PM in response to Phagun Oswal

I've had the "pop and smoke" and it was a component failure on the motherboard, it was under the 3 year extended warranty so of course Apple repaired it free of charge.

I don't believe I am posting any "cocky comments" simply giving you sound advice.

I appreciate you're in a difficult position and are trying to do the right thing by the buyer but as you point out it really is their risk once the deal has taken place.

The best outcome would be for them to get a repair quote and if this is reasonable to share it 50/50

Feb 28, 2012 5:19 PM in response to Phagun Oswal

Phagun Oswal wrote:

And you are WRONG. What I am looking forward to is for someone rational to reply to this post. Someone who experienced this same problem and someone who may have some advice in terms of how to remedy this situation.

Okay, take it to Apple. I'm sure the will gladly repair it for free and possibly even upgrade the RAM while they have it. If you are polite they might even buy you lunch whilst yoy wait for the repair to be completed.

Is that the kind of reply that will make you happy?

Old Toad

Level 10

207,691 points

Feb 28, 2012 6:47 PM in response to Phagun Oswal

Phagun:

On thing you need to remember is that you only have the buyer's word that he didn't do something on his end to cause the problem. If the buyer takes it into an Apple store and gets a statement of the cause and estimate of the cost to fix it be sure you get a copy of those documents before you offer to help with the repair costs. In other words, don't take anything for granted.

TildeBee

Level 7

31,917 points

Feb 28, 2012 9:05 PM in response to Phagun Oswal

Phagun --

I think most of us really appreciate the uncomfortable spot you're in. If the new buyer does take it to the Apple Store, you'll have your answer as to whether the new buyer accidently messed it up, or if it was just going to happen, regardless of it's current owner.

Your obvious concern about this situation is commendable. If this happened to me, I would insist that the buyer take it to Apple. And then offer (some) to help if it was destined to happen. But on the other hand, how would any of us know ahead of time? A prickly pear situation.

If the new buyer messed it up, then it's all on him.

All the best to you . . .

upland13

Level 1

5 points

Feb 28, 2012 9:19 PM in response to Andrew Wolczyk

Yes, everyone has an opinion about something. This guy thinks apple should repair the computer out of warranty, and you think it's stupid that he feels that way. Yet you feel the need to post on here letting him know you think it's stupid? Haha that's pretty ridiculous. How about you let the guy vent his opinions and get a solution as to why the computer began to suddenly smoke, and leave the thread alone. If anything your just being rude, and it's not necessary.

Phagun- I'm sorry to post here without a valid solution. But I agree with what everyone else is saying, you should take it to apple. I have experienced many failures and had Apple not comply due to an out of warranty product. Luckily for you, and the buyer, Apple will diagnose the product and most likely quote you. They will see you out of warranty, and if you don't have an apple store near you, than I advise you see an AASP.

I hope you find a solution to your issue.

Best of luck

Feb 29, 2012 3:47 AM in response to upland13

upland13 wrote:

Yes, everyone has an opinion about something. This guy thinks apple should repair the computer out of warranty, and you think it's stupid that he feels that way. Yet you feel the need to post on here letting him know you think it's stupid? Haha that's pretty ridiculous. How about you let the guy vent his opinions and get a solution as to why the computer began to suddenly smoke, and leave the thread alone. If anything your just being rude, and it's not necessary.

Dude, If you look at the second post in this thread you'll see that I gave my professional opinion as to what was wrong as well as how he should proceed. It was the original poster that brought up and argued the stupid notion that this was Apple's problem and that they should be responsible for it. I'm sorry he doesn't like the answers he's getting, but bottom line is that this isn't anybody's problem but his and the new owners.

As far as a solution, as I said in the second post, take it to the applestore. It will be an expensive repair and apple won't do it for free, but it has been my experience that they might do it for the cost of the part. If the two of them split that cost then It might not me too painful and the seller can have a clear head.

upland13

Level 1

5 points

Feb 29, 2012 5:19 AM in response to Andrew Wolczyk

I understand you have your opinion, that's great. That's not what I'm saying though. All I'm saying is leave the thread alone, you gave your input, as I am well aware of, and that's all that is needed, because this:

"Okay, take it to Apple. I'm sure the will gladly repair it for free and possibly even upgrade the RAM while they have it. If you are polite they might even buy you lunch whilst yoy wait for the repair to be completed.

Is that the kind of reply that will make you happy?"

Isn't really necessary, see what I mean? I agree with you, it will cost a lot. I have experienced this numerous times. I think it's great that you have an opinion, and I'm not taking sides here, but the extra sarcastic posts mocking him aren't necessary dude. If he thinks it should be done for free, then let him duke it out with Apple. I don't think Apple needs your help with that. Haha

Thank you, and have a nice day. :)

Phagun Oswal Author

Level 1

32 points

Feb 29, 2012 5:31 AM in response to upland13

Thank you :-)

Feb 29, 2012 5:47 AM in response to upland13

upland13 wrote:

Is that the kind of reply that will make you happy?"

Its called sarcasm 😉

Phagun Oswal Author

Level 1

32 points

Feb 29, 2012 5:56 AM in response to TildeBee

Thanks for the kind words Bee. I so wanted to give you the "this solved my problem" points. My phone touchscreen acted up and shifted and I ended up giving all the points to an entity who did nothing but provide crap on this post.

So sorry.... But thank you very much for your response.

Feb 29, 2012 5:59 AM in response to Phagun Oswal

Phagun Oswal wrote:

I ended up giving all the points to an entity who did nothing but provide crap on this post.

lol, thats karma friend 😝

Apr 5, 2012 2:08 AM in response to Phagun Oswal

My MBP started smoking the other day. It was a replacment computer and was just out of warenty (i didnt get the extended because i figured i wouldnt need it). Any way, i called up apple and had to answer about 100 questions about some of the strangest things. Then I had to go to the apple store and answer more questions. Now the computer is being inspected and Im probaly going to get another replacment. They are afraid Im going to sue them, which is resanable because odds are if i would have gone to my school reunion my house would have been burned down. Anyway, Ill update as soon as something happens.

Pop & smoke coming from macbook pro. Laptop died