AppleCare void!

[Steven Jackson]

Just found out the hard way:

If you replace the "user-replaceable" HDD in a MacBook, you void the AppleCare warranty. But it's okay to replace the RAM.

Damn.

Steve.

 

[nazmac21]

This is nonsense! If anything, changing RAM has better chance of damaging the computer (if done wrong) than the harddrive. Changing RAM does not void warranty but the harddrive shouldn't too.

 

[suneohair]

balls. I wonder if this is common practice.

 

[Steven Jackson]

Is there any chance the Apple rep was mistaken? Wonder where I can find the official policy...

Steve.

 

[psycoswimmer]

I wonder if they can tell if you put in the original Apple hard drive before you take it in for warranty...

 

[suneohair]

I wonder if they can tell if you put in the original Apple hard drive before you take it in for warranty...

Of course.

 

[ITASOR]

Replacing the HD does NOT void the Applecare warranty. This is a fact. However, the Applecare warranty WILL NOT cover the new hard drive that a user installs. When getting ANY Applecare work done, you can just slip your old hard drive back in and not have to worry about anything, but technically, if it is not a HD related problem, they will still look at your machine.

 

[Steven Jackson]

Replacing the HD does NOT void the Applecare warranty. This is a fact. However, the Applecare warranty WILL NOT cover the new hard drive that a user installs. When getting ANY Applecare work done, you can just slip your old hard drive back in and not have to worry about anything, but technically, if it is not a HD related problem, they will still look at your machine.

How do you know for a fact that this is true? I have just looked at the AppleCare policy for Europe (http://images.apple.com/legal/applecare/docs/AppleCare_Protect_Plan_EU_en.pdf)and it seems that you are correct, but I want to be sure before I begin to argue my case with the rep.

Any help will be MUCH appreciated.

Steve.

 

[ITASOR]

Steve,

Here you go. This is the MacBook hard drive replacement DIY guide.

Apple does not have DIY guides on things that void their warranty.

Also note:

Failure to follow these instructions could damage your equipment and void its warranty.

Simply replacing the hard drive does not void Applecare, unless you decide to use a crowbar to remove your battery or something.

 

[Steven Jackson]

The more I search the web, the more I believe that replacing the HDD won't invalidate the warranty. Apple even posts instructions about how to go about doing the replacement!

http://www.apple.com/support/macbook/diy/order.html

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/MacBook_13inch_HardDrive_DIY.pdf

Anyone got any input?

Steve

 

[Steven Jackson]

Steve,

Here you go. This is the MacBook hard drive replacement DIY guide.

Apple does not have DIY guides on things that void their warranty.

Also note:



Simply replacing the hard drive does not void Applecare, unless you decide to use a crowbar to remove your battery or something.

Thanks, I just found that too. I'm armed and ready to take-on AppleCare!

Steve.

 

[ITASOR]

A rep from Apple (not a reseller) is telling you that replacing the hard drive voids Applcare? I suggest you laugh at them and call a different rep, or ask if you can talk to their manager.

 

[synth3tik]

Defiantly make sure you laugh at the rep....

 

[WillJS]

Yes.. laughing is good.

 

[cliffrouse11bas]

No it does not void the warranty. I just sent one in for repair, and everything was fine.

 

[The Stig]

Now we just all need to wait until somebody makes a 500gb HD that will fit in our MB!!!

The Stig

 

[weldon]

Just remember the two caveats that have already been mentioned that will not be covered under AppleCare.

• AppleCare won't cover damage *you* do to your computer while replacing the hard drive
• only the original parts are covered under AppleCare (not the new HD)

 

[Steven Jackson]

Just remember the two caveats that have already been mentioned that will not be covered under AppleCare.

• AppleCare won't cover damage *you* do to your computer while replacing the hard drive
• only the original parts are covered under AppleCare (not the new HD)

I'm fine with those terms -- they seem perfectly fair. I just want Apple to acknowledge that the MacBook will be covered for any potential repairs unrelated to the HDD.

Steve

 

[jeremy.king]

So what's wrong with your machine that made you find out the hard way?

 

[astarling06]

I would just call back because there's probably little chance you'll get the same moron on the phone telling you that you've voided your Applecare because you replaced hard drives.

 

[schmintan]

argue, shout, laugh then ask for a supervisor. I live in Ireland, and apparently they do not send a courrier out to collect the broken machine, you have to bring it there yourself, even though i checked this with the sales rep when buying and he assured me apple would send out a courrier and sort it all out. I argued this, provided the sales rep's name and extension ( this sales rep lied about more than this to make the sale). it ended up that the supervisor told me he would arrange a courrier for me!!! if you argue enough, and you have a good idea your arguement is correct and just, you will get it resolved. you shouldnt have to argue, but hey, a mans gota do what a mans gota do!

 

[himansk]

I had gone to a compUSA store to get a hard drive replaced by one I bought from newegg. the tech guy called up apple to find out their policy, they said that if the hard drive is replaced, it will void the warranty on the original hard drive (since it will be taken out of the notebook and apple wont guarantee its working) and applecare wont cover the new hard drive. so applecare does not void warranty on the wholes system if the hard drive is replaced. But I replaced the hard drive myself and didnt do any damage to the rest of the system so i think im in the clear.

 

[Steven Jackson]

Just a quick follow-up to let you know what I've found after *many* calls to UK AppleCare...

Well, it's just as most people here expected: AppleCare is not void, but it (obviously) doesn't cover the 3rd-party HDD.

Problem is, the morons on the shop floor don't seem to understand this, so you have to stand your ground.

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[synth3tik]

If you replace the HD then have issues with the HD. Apple will not cover that. Just sent in and talked with a buddy that is an Apple repair tech. If they find that you messed something up replacing the drive (IE breaking off the HD bracket), that will not be covered.

 

[Bill Gates]

What about the MacBook Pro? Will the warranty be voided?