Should I ask for a replacement or stick it out with a third repair

Question

Level 2

178 points

Should I ask for a replacement or stick it out with a third repair

The first repair must have been August 8th or 9th. It had the moo issue, the lid creaked, and when I shut my computer down and closed the lid (after the screen went black) the indicator light would remain on and when I came back to the computer it would be searing hot.

All they did was replace the fan with a Sunon fan. The night I received it, nothing changed. So I sent it in again. This was August 18th when they received it. They replaced the heat sink . I got it back on Thursday (just passed) and the lid was better for a day, it now creaks. It mooed, so I just did the SMC update (which fixed the mooing completely). The shutdown issue happen again too. And NOW, the whole right side of the trackpad's button is not only mushy, but nonresponsive. The right side just doesn't work. Should I send it in for yet another repair? Should I ask for a replacement? Should I be grateful it doesn't have the wretched Random ShutDowns? What's the concensus? I'm on holding with AppleCare now waiting for the next available representative (as I have been for the past 14 minutes).

Macbook in Black, iPod Mini, Lime Green, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Sep 5, 2006 1:35 PM

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Answer 1

PaulNYC

Level 1

105 points

Sep 5, 2006 1:43 PM in response to Seanski

Ask for a replacement! Only a fool keeps doing the same thing over and over again thinking that the result will be different. And I'm sure you're not a fool! Apple is a fool to not immediately offer a replacement and instead choose to keep trying to repair it when they obviously are not capable of doing it.

Demand a replacement immediately and settle for nothing less! That's my brief advice...good luck. Tell us what happens.

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Answer 2

Seanski Author

Level 2

178 points

Sep 6, 2006 4:28 AM in response to PaulNYC

Okay, so do you think if I just explain that I think this thing is a lemon based on my experiences thus far, the fat that I bought an Apple because they are advertised as being problem free, and that I have been thoroughly disappointed at every step thus far... that I'd have a leg to stand on?

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Answer 3

Seanski Author

Level 2

178 points

Sep 11, 2006 11:28 AM in response to Seanski

An update in case anyone is the least bit interested;

I asked for the replacement. The lady (Ashley) transfered me to a technician or specialist or some other euphemism for second tiered employee named Tim. Tim suggested I go into an Apple Store and have them do the repair there. That night, I experienced the "waking from off syndrome" again and figured I'd have to mention this to them as well. Did that at the store and they decided they were going to send it off to Memphis yet AGAIN. Definitely not what I was told by Tim. He said they would fix it in store. He said they'd probably hold on to it for a few because they didn't have any replacement top cases to fix the trackpad button, but he said nothing of them sending it back into Flextronics (who, I'm convinced, are quite incompetent; they're the ones who broke the trackpad button). I know they're going to muck this up again. This time, I think they're going to replace the logic board. Illogical! I don't suppose it will help, but I could be wrong. Iffin' I experience another wake from off incident after I get the thing returned, what's the liklihood of Apple replacing my machine with a new MacBook (versus not replacing it or replacing it with a refurbished machine)?

I'm fed up. Macs don't necessarily just work. They potentially frustrate.

Sorry for the quasi rant

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Answer 4

Rob A

Level 2

330 points

Sep 11, 2006 11:35 AM in response to Seanski

well your issue (the wake from off) is not an RSD issue, so your macbook is suffering from a misbehaving logicboard i think.

also, my macbook went to the memphis "Flextronics" facility, where they only replaced the hard drive after specifically requesting other parts. although i like the fact that the entire top assemly is a single unit, but its unfortunate that in order to fix one problem, whether it be the trackpad button or a key, the entire assembly would have to be replaced. even if the casing were stained, the casing is not available separately.

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Answer 5

Sep 11, 2006 11:36 AM in response to Seanski

My first repair for RSD was through Memphis and they replaced the heat sink and top case. The replacement top case had a faulty trackpad button and I had it replaced again at an Apple Store. Both repairs were very quick -- experiences vary.

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Answer 6

Rob A

Level 2

330 points

Sep 11, 2006 11:42 AM in response to Plecostomus

do they only replace the top panel if its stained? or do they do this regardless? i ask this because my trackpad worked flawlessly and the macbook i have is in pristine condition. unless theres a vital and necessary component to change in the top case, id rather they left that alone.

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Answer 7

Sep 11, 2006 11:45 AM in response to Seanski

I was told by someone at apple repair that apparently their policy is that if they have tried to repair the machine twice and been unable to do it - then the customer is entitled to request a replacement - dunno if thats true or not as apple repair constantly feed me BS (your computer will be with you soon, we will offer you compensation, we will fix your computer etc) but thats what i was told.

Mike

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Answer 8

Sep 11, 2006 11:47 AM in response to Rob A

Mine is a black model: discoloration is not an issue. They replaced the top case when the only symptom was RSD. Yes, it was annoying that the original button worked fine. Maybe they had reason to believe in the case-shorting theory or they found something (keyboard wiring?) heat damaged.

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Answer 9

Rob A

Level 2

330 points

Sep 11, 2006 11:52 AM in response to Plecostomus

the top case is actually a very large assembly. im not sure how many different components are in there, but you can consult "PBparts.com" to see, as they have the top cases for sale.

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Answer 10

AMR6

Level 1

0 points

Sep 11, 2006 12:01 PM in response to Seanski

Obviously, I understand your pain. 🙂

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=617146&tstart=0

Is there some troubles with the repair facilities in Memphis? I still cannot believe the shape my MacBook was in when it returned from repair. It looks as if someone went sandpaper and xacto blade happy all over the outer casing. For those of who don't have an Apple store nearby, this shipping back and forth with repetitive issues is unacceptable. I'm a patient gal, a couple of screw-ups I can handle...but like you...at Round 3 I'm irked.

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Answer 11

Sep 11, 2006 12:03 PM in response to Rob A

From the photos I've seen online, the top case seems to consist of what you see (keyboard, trackpad and button, on-off button) with a wiring harness that plugs into the logic board. Nothing more.

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Answer 12

Seanski Author

Level 2

178 points

Sep 11, 2006 10:43 PM in response to Plecostomus

Does it really make sense for Apple to replace the heatsink, fan and now top case and logic board instead of just offering me a replacement machine? The only thing they haven't touched is the screen and I'm sure that if it keeps seeing the savages over at Memphis, it'll undoubtably meet it's fate there soon. They should just take this thing back, scrap it for parts and make some nice refurbs out of it. Geez Louise Apple, give me another machine. Do you ever just get the feeling that you've got a lemon that'll only encounter problem after problem...? I'm pretty sure my notebook computer wasn't meant to be a MacBook.

On a side note, it's been since Friday and my girlfriend's $509 eMachines MX4625 is holding up quite nicely. I'm sure my MacBook was never this quiet or efficient. I can all but guarantee this machine will never see the inside of a repair facility. Go figure.

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Answer 13

Seanski Author

Level 2

178 points

Sep 13, 2006 6:32 PM in response to Seanski

Okay. My MacBook was returned today. Unfortunately, the trackpad button is still spongey. It works, though not too well, but still better than before. I have to say, I didn't pay for this. If I got this machine free, I'd be happy now. But I don't think I should be stepped on, so this time I'll be more ascertive at the Genius Bar and see what it'll take.

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