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Big Problem..

T

Tempto

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 24, 2010
51
0
Hey, umm so yeah my iMac fell (don't ask how) screen down and now i am having several issues:

The hard drive is making a weird sound, the black magnetic screen protector is not perfectly aligned with the screen anymore, and a lot of dust has got into the screen.

The repair shop opens again on Monday (which is just when my 1 week vacation starts...) and if it's possible for me to somehow remove the magnetic screen protector to put it back aligned and clean the dust I would really like to know how, and maybe fix the HDD too, because I have important things to do.

Thanks.
 
Update: Well I have managed to remove the screen and clean its under, but the HDD is still making that sound... should I stop using it or is it ok to use it normally until I can get it repaired? Thanks.
 
You can probably continue to use it. But if you have not done so yet, back up the hard drive while it is still running. Once backup is done, it won't matter much if it dies while your using it.
 
Thanks guys, backing up my files now!

Also, do you think they will make me pay for the new HDD? Or will I get it for free if it's under warranty? I could just tell them the HDD just started making that noise randomly (leaving out the whole dropping part).
 
Tempto said:
Thanks guys, backing up my files now!

Also, do you think they will make me pay for the new HDD? Or will I get it for free if it's under warranty? I could just tell them the HDD just started making that noise randomly (leaving out the whole dropping part).
Click to expand...

Physical damage is not covered
It's like if I drove my car into a tree, that damage is my fault and not covered
 
Tempto said:
Thanks guys, backing up my files now!

Also, do you think they will make me pay for the new HDD? Or will I get it for free if it's under warranty? I could just tell them the HDD just started making that noise randomly (leaving out the whole dropping part).
Click to expand...

biggd said:
Physical damage is not covered
It's like if I drove my car into a tree, that damage is my fault and not covered
Click to expand...

That's right, it's your fault and not covered. Besides, it's better to tell the truth anyway. Maybe they'll have pity on you and hook you up for free anyway. But if you lie and they cover it for you, you then are part of the reason that drives cost up on products.
 
they may know it was damaged by sudden movement ... never hurts to be er ... play dumb.

good luck :cool:
 
Thanks once more for all the replies guys.. at least I've learned to be more careful when moving my desk! :rolleyes:
 
And while talking about HDD damage and backing up files, I recommend setting up Time Machine. It automatically keeps your files safe giving you a peace of mind for any accidents that may happen - be that user errors ("oops, I didn't mean to delete that file" or "oops, I didn't mean to remove all the content of that file and then save it") or broken harddrive.

Just get some network attached harddrive and turn on Time Machine. Make sure the hardrive is compatible with TM or just get the Time Capsule. Time Capsule will double as dual band B/G & N WiFi router, should you have use for that. USB harddrives will work too ofcourse but I think that network drives are handier because they are always available and don't eat desktop space nor USB ports.

Spending about 100$/€ is cheap "insurance" to keep your files safe.
 
teidon said:
And while talking about HDD damage and backing up files, I recommend setting up Time Machine. It automatically keeps your files safe giving you a peace of mind for any accidents that may happen - be that user errors ("oops, I didn't mean to delete that file" or "oops, I didn't mean to remove all the content of that file and then save it") or broken harddrive.

Just get some network attached harddrive and turn on Time Machine. Make sure the hardrive is compatible with TM or just get the Time Capsule. Time Capsule will double as dual band B/G & N WiFi router, should you have use for that. USB harddrives will work too ofcourse but I think that network drives are handier because they are always available and don't eat desktop space nor USB ports.

Spending about 100$/€ is cheap "insurance" to keep your files safe.
Click to expand...

Yep! TM is exactly what I've used to make the backup. I'll see about the Time Capsule when I go to the store; seems very handy.


JayX said:
It hurts people who have genuine problems when they start revoking what's covered due to abuse of trust.
Click to expand...

Yeah.. I'm just going to tell the truth and hope they are nice.

Michaelgtrusa said:
Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Much appreciated! :cool:
 
Also one final thing.. about how much do you think the replacement hard drive would cost? :rolleyes:
 
A breakthrough! Whoopee, I have fixed it! I booted from the OS X installation CD, and used the disk utility repair thing to fix it. I am absolutely overjoyed! I really didn't expect this to work but as was proved.. it was worth a try!
 
Tempto said:
A breakthrough! Whoopee, I have fixed it! I booted from the OS X installation CD, and used the disk utility repair thing to fix it. I am absolutely overjoyed! I really didn't expect this to work but as was proved.. it was worth a try!
Click to expand...

Hey, congratulations!

I'm concerned about your hard disk, though. It may not be long for this world at this point. Please back it up right now ASAP soonest. At the very least, copy your essential work files to a Dropbox account-- you get 2GB free. (Sign up at http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTQ3NzczNjk and I'll get a little storage bonus. :D) I actually do all my current work in my Dropbox so it's always backed-up, and that also means the current versions of my files are always available to me on my several machines. You never know when disaster will strike, and Dropbox is a great tool in defending against calamity.

But whatever you do, get backed up right now.
 
sjinsjca said:
Hey, congratulations!

I'm concerned about your hard disk, though. It may not be long for this world at this point. Please back it up right now ASAP soonest. At the very least, copy your essential work files to a Dropbox account-- you get 2GB free. (Sign up at http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTQ3NzczNjk and I'll get a little storage bonus. :D) I actually do all my current work in my Dropbox so it's always backed-up, and that also means the current versions of my files are always available to me on my several machines. You never know when disaster will strike, and Dropbox is a great tool in defending against calamity.

But whatever you do, get backed up right now.
Click to expand...

I believe he mentioned that he is using Time Machine already. So he should be good to go if his HDD does fail later on.
 
I am severely disappointed and mystified; it started making that cursed sound again, and another repair yielded no improvements. Guess I'll have to take it in then. :(

Thanks sjinsjca but as SandboxGeneral said, I've everything backup-ed on an external hard drive with Time Machine.

EDIT: Out of sheer desperation I googled some things for a bit and found this: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2244915&tstart=0

Judging from that, is there a possibility that this HD may be safe? Probably not, but I feel it's worth asking.. ;)
 
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Tempto said:
.EDIT: Out of sheer desperation I googled some things for a bit and found this: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2244915&tstart=0

Judging from that, is there a possibility that this HD may be safe? Probably not, but I feel it's worth asking.. ;)
Click to expand...
Quickly checked the thread and it seems they are discussing about the Seagate drive's normal noise, which tends to be loud. Your drive started to make the noise after the accident so it's broken.

But as the drive works for now, you don't have to take it to repair next monday if you have better things to do with the machine. The drive will most likely die eventually, but you can keep using it till that happens or take it to repair when it fits you better. Just keep the backup drive attached and Time Machine will do it's magic.


Are you by the way backing up the whole machine/hard drive or just specific directories? It's good idea to back up the whole machine so that if the drive dies, all you have to do is get a new drive installed and tell the Mac installer/setup tool/whatever to restore your machine from Time Machine and it will be just like before the drive died.
 
Tempto said:
I am severely disappointed and mystified; it started making that cursed sound again, and another repair yielded no improvements. Guess I'll have to take it in then. :(

Thanks sjinsjca but as SandboxGeneral said, I've everything backup-ed on an external hard drive with Time Machine.

EDIT: Out of sheer desperation I googled some things for a bit and found this: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2244915&tstart=0

Judging from that, is there a possibility that this HD may be safe? Probably not, but I feel it's worth asking.. ;)
Click to expand...

I'm the type of person that would replace the drive sooner rather than later regardless that I have Time Machine or any other backup solution running. I don't want to wait around for it to die because it would probably happen at an inconvenient time. I feel better just taking care of it up front so I don't have to wonder/worry about when it gives up the ghost.
 
teidon said:
Quickly checked the thread and it seems they are discussing about the Seagate drive's normal noise, which tends to be loud. Your drive started to make the noise after the accident so it's broken.

But as the drive works for now, you don't have to take it to repair next monday if you have better things to do with the machine. The drive will most likely die eventually, but you can keep using it till that happens or take it to repair when it fits you better. Just keep the backup drive attached and Time Machine will do it's magic.


Are you by the way backing up the whole machine/hard drive or just specific directories? It's good idea to back up the whole machine so that if the drive dies, all you have to do is get a new drive installed and tell the Mac installer/setup tool/whatever to restore your machine from Time Machine and it will be just like before the drive died.
Click to expand...

Gah :/

I am backing up the whole machine of course :) and I am going to take it this Monday still, because just the thought of the fact that I'm using a 4 week old computer with an already defective hard drive is killing me!

Thanks for the input btw! Also since I asked before but didn't get answers, I'm gonna ask again :p any idea on aprox how much the replacement will cost?

Cheers.

Edit: Yeah Sandbox, I agree, which is why I'll take it in on Monday.
 
Tempto said:
Thanks for the input btw! Also since I asked before but didn't get answers, I'm gonna ask again :p any idea on aprox how much the replacement will cost?

Cheers.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but I have no idea what Apple would charge for a new HDD. Be prepared though to pay for the HDD and labor costs. Ask them to quote you and out-the-door price before they do any work first. Then determine if the cost is worth it to you or not. Maybe in the end you'd be better off purchasing a new HDD on your own and installing it yourself if you can.

Edit: Here is a good place to start looking for a replacement HDD if you want to do it on your own. It's where I bought a new HDD for my MBP a few weeks ago.
 
SandboxGeneral said:
I'm sorry but I have no idea what Apple would charge for a new HDD. Be prepared though to pay for the HDD and labor costs. Ask them to quote you and out-the-door price before they do any work first. Then determine if the cost is worth it to you or not. Maybe in the end you'd be better off purchasing a new HDD on your own and installing it yourself if you can.
Click to expand...

If purchasing a new HDD and installing it is significantly cheaper I'd do it. Though the shop is not an Apple shop, but an authorized reseller. I just hope it's not like over a hundred.. :p

EDIT: Thanks, I will check that out for sure! Do you have any idea of they deliver to Lebanon though? I don't think they do :S

EDIT 2: I think the best thing to do is to wait for Mon and see how much they charge for it, they may charge less or even do it for free since they seem nice, after that I'll see what to do.

Anyway I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who posted in this thread, for your advice and help. :D I will post back on what happens after this situation is fixed!
 
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