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Level 2

311 points

Internal drive going bad -- covered by Applecare?

Thrice in the past 6 months, I've had to wipe the internal drive on my iMac 27" mid-2010 and map out bad blocks. First time a handful of bad blocks were found, the second time, just last week, 2 blocks were found. Today, 10 blocks. Each time I find bad blocks and map them out, I reformat the drive, install a clean system, and use Migration Assistant to copy files from a backup drive. That takes most of a day each time.

But more worrisome is the thought that the internal drive is slowly dying a block at a time and taking data with it. I've got Time Machine and Chronosync running to ensure that I won't lose very much, but I no longer trust this internal drive and fear that it could crash permanently at any time.

I checked the Apple support site to see if AppleCare covers failing or even failed internal drives, but there's no mention of hard drives. If this drive fails and AppleCare doesn't cover it, what options do I have? I'm currently booting from an external drive, but the iMac's USB 2.0 connection makes that a rather slow option. I could buy a Firewire 400 drive, but that still wouldn't be as fast as an internal drive, right? And I'd still have that failed internal hovering in the background. I could also wait for the AppleCare coverage to end next March and then attempt a repair myself. I've looked at the videos and it seems doable, but the process is fraught with the potential for serious, if not fatal, mistakes and I consider this a measure of last resort.

So I'm back to the Apple option.Does AppleCare cover drive replacement? If not, how much does Apple charge to replace the drive? Parts only, with AppleCare covering the labor cost? Or am looking at a large repair bill that would make buying a new iMac a more practical option?

Thanks!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7), 1TB TC, Airport Express, Airport Extreme,

Posted on Sep 9, 2013 8:40 PM

Best reply

babowa

Level 9

78,109 points

Posted on Sep 9, 2013 9:03 PM

Yes, Applecare will cover a failed hard drive and the replacement; I'd recommend that you call Apple at your earliest convenience (or take it to your nearest Genius Bar).

When did you purchase your mid 2010 iMac? You will have to have purchased it in late September of 2010 or later or your 3 years of coverage have expired (seeing that it is almost mid September 2013) now.

If you are no longer covered, inquire about a replacement cost at the Genius Bar or at an authorized service providers; hard drives aren't all that expensive, but the labor is.

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21 replies

babowa

Level 9

78,109 points

Sep 10, 2013 9:06 AM in response to p0sixDev

p0sixDev wrote:

This isnt an argument. I belive you have jumped to a conslusion. Just because he is covered by APP it does not mean that every single person who reads this post because they have a faulty seagate HDD has an APP or a limited warranty to cover them. Consumer Law is an alt route for people that need help and have no warranty.

This thread is about the OP's problem, not anyone else's. Please read the ToU's for these forums (you'll find the link at the bottom of every page). Additional consumer laws may apply in your country, but not necessarily in the OP's.

@ andreas:

No, Apple will only replace with same/similar; I've not heard of an exception. When they replaced an iPad for me under warranty, I asked if I could pay to upgrade or get a different color - and the answer was No to both questions.

p0sixDev

Level 1

57 points

Sep 10, 2013 9:34 AM in response to babowa

Sorry to drag this out but yes it states "Stay on topic" but explaining Consumer Law is staying on topic as it is a valid step. Also its states "Apple Support Communities is here to help people use Apple products and technologies more effectively" See how it says "people", and not "person". There for it is to help "people" having this issue. It also states "Everyone should feel comfortable reading Submissions and participating in discussions." and you good sir are doing the opposite. Your making me feel very uncomfortable about helping other members incase you criticize my response. This is a breach and if need be i will report as you have destroyed my Apple Support experiance

Sep 10, 2013 9:35 AM in response to babowa

babowa wrote:

@ andreas:

No, Apple will only replace with same/similar; I've not heard of an exception. When they replaced an iPad for me under warranty, I asked if I could pay to upgrade or get a different color - and the answer was No to both questions.

In that case, I would replace it with a 180GB-256GB Intel 520 SSD (5 year warranty version). That would be my preference if I were in his shoes. I would hang an external USB drive off the machine for capacity if i needed the room. I might even consider going to apple to get my free drive installed, but would immediately pull it out and replace it with an SSD, and use the new one for capacity in a drive caddy. I doubt I'd go through all that hassle of lugging the machine around though.

The performance benefits are significant.

babowa

Level 9

78,109 points

Sep 10, 2013 9:50 AM in response to andreasjva

I doubt I'd go through all that hassle of lugging the machine around though.

In the US (am not familiar with the terms in other countries), Applecare will pay for in home service on desktop computers if you are located within 50 miles of an authorized service provider; I've had a hard drive, 2 logic boards, and 2 super drives replaced over the years in different machines and I've never lugged any of them anywhere. The service technician came to my house - a painless experience.

Steve Porritt Author

Level 2

311 points

Sep 12, 2013 9:38 PM in response to Gary Scotland

Ah, that is good to know, as I have the Drive Genius support docs and reports listing the bad blocks, as well as an email from the Drive Genius help desk suggesting that the drive is failing and should be replaced. I can take all those into the Apple Store to support my request for a new drive. Thanks!

Apr 23, 2014 4:42 AM in response to Gary Scotland

Gary...Above you said AppleCare uses drive genius to test hard drives I want to have both my Mac Pro tower hard drives tested by the Apple Store but do you think drive Genius will do a better job at getting rid of or napping out bad sectors then WD Lifesavers etc or the built in disk utility in Mavericks?

Internal drive going bad -- covered by Applecare?