Is my modified iMac still eligible for repair?

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Level 1

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Is my modified iMac still eligible for repair?

Hi there,

I bought my 3.1GHz 27" iMac back in November 2011. I choose to have the graphics card as the 2GB version of the AMD Radeon 6970M. One month after new, my iMac was sent back to the shop to have its factory fitted hard drive replaced with a new one. This was part of the hard drive replacement program from Apple four years ago.

In 2013 I added an SSD to the iMac to boost performance also replacing the factory fitted DVD drive with a replacement as the old one was broken. For years after the machine has worked without a glitch. Only now in August 2015 I have fallen victim to the dodgy graphics cards my iMac was fitted with. Thankfully the replacement program exists acknowledging the fault as widespread. I have also checked and yes, my serial number does fall within the range of units affected.

My question is: Will the modifications I made to my iMac disqualify me from the replacement program despite the working order of the iMac since adding them?

Thanks to anyone who can help,
Will

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Aug 23, 2015 3:46 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 23, 2015 3:53 AM in response to WillPanton

The user is not authorized to make modifications to the iMac as you did. That normally voids all support and help from Apple. You can try taking the iMac to an Apple Store Genius Bar or contact Apple Support to see if the will service the machine, but it is not likely they will help you now.

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Answer 2

WillPanton Author

Level 1

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Aug 23, 2015 3:55 AM in response to Ralph Landry1

Thanks for your quick reply - this is useful to know!

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Answer 3

Aug 23, 2015 3:59 AM in response to WillPanton

You are welcome.

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Answer 4

WZZZ

Level 6

13,238 points

Aug 23, 2015 4:35 AM in response to WillPanton

If the Apple Store turns you down, I would contact Apple customer service, explain that your modifications could not possibly have damaged the affected card (which Apple acknowledges was defective to begin with), and if denied at that level, then escalate to as high a level as possible.

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Answer 5

dg1sek

Level 1

4 points

Jan 11, 2016 8:41 AM in response to WillPanton

I have a machine with the same issue, also with an SSD drive that was added. The graphics card just broke this month, it was purchased March 2012, so 4 months left until the recall will expire. Based on your experience last year, what's your recommendation, should I remove the SSD before taking it to the genius bar to put the Mac back in its original configuration? Or can I count on the common sense of Apple employees that in no way an SSD can have an impact on a graphics card for which in addition it is well acknowledged that there was a design problem from the start?

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