Dead MacBook :(

[newmac777]

I am soooo depressed! I have had my macbook since christmas with absolutely no problems. Today I leave the room for 5 minutes and bam I come back and it is dead (pretty much).

The hard drive is spinning, but the display is black and unresponsive. I spent 15 minutes on the phone with applecare and they couldn't get it to work. They told me to take it to my local compusa to see if they can get it started and if they can't, I have to send it in.

I haven't taken it in to compusa yet, but I am pretty sure they won't be able to fix it. I am super paranoid about sending it back to apple because I am pretty anal and I am worried it will come back terribly scratched up. I need some words of encouragement cause I am really bummed.

 

[classof2011]

I feel bad for you! I hope my MacBook doesn't ever do that. Anyways, have Apple repair it by sending it back and if it's returned scratched up, argue with them until they replace it for you.

 

[Grakkle]

Did you try booting from the install disc?

 

[crb824]

that sucks man...

I would def. recommend what class said

 

[wako]

Take it to CompUSA?!


That will just start another load of problems! Just send it in to Apple now. If you let CompUSA touch it, it more than likely will take you another month to see that computer back.

 

[bbergie]

Take it to CompUSA?!


That will just start another load of problems! Just send it in to Apple now. If you let CompUSA touch it, it more than likely will take you another month to see that computer back.

I agree. I would only deal with Apple at this point. I've dealt with AppleCare in the past, and they handled my product with care, such that it returned to me in the condition it left me, and it was repaired. I wouldn't fear Apple––they above all will not damage your machine.

Good luck.

 

[newmac777]

Thanks guys! It makes me feel better that you guys took the time to reply and feel my pain

I did try to start it with the install disc (with apple support over the phone) and that didn't work and now I can't get the disc out either.

I think I will just send it to apple cause I don't want to bother with compusa at all.

 

[mick4394]

I agree. I would only deal with Apple at this point. I've dealt with AppleCare in the past, and they handled my product with care, such that it returned to me in the condition it left me, and it was repaired. I wouldn't fear Apple––they above all will not damage your machine.

I have to disagree here. They really did a job on my Macbook, scratched it to hell. Yes, I called and complained, and they did replace my entire case. But, because of the original problem, then the scratching, I went a month without my Macbook.

 

[kiiat]

did you try unplugging the power, taking out the battery for 30secs, then putting the battery back in and booting back up? that happened to me once when i was in sheer panic and it worked.

if not, go straight to the apple store. you're still under warrenty. good luck!

 

[newmac777]

I tried taking out the battery etc etc...the whole nine yards

So, does everyone agree that I shouldn't take it to compusa (which is what apple suggested as a first step), but just send it directly back to apple?

 

[bbydon]

Which macbook do you have? Just curious.
I agree I wouldn't take it to compusa, i go straight to apple care.
Applecare does a good job when ive had to use them.

 

[Teddy's]

Same situation happened here before christmas. It was a dead hard drive (you see the white start up screen and nothing happens, not even the apple logo). I took it on monday afternoon to the Apple Store and I had it back on friday.

I have Apple care, so it was free ($300 parts and labour w/o warranty) Check your warranty coverage. I'm pretty sure the mac geniuses can handle your case without any hassle.

How come (us) macbook owners are too worried about scratches?

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

If they are telling you to take it to the CompUSA it is an authorized repair center and have APple Techs or Tech in there. They are certified at the same exact places the techs at APpleCare are. I have two in my store. It is a laptop though so most likely they will do a few checks there and they will most likely send it to Apple for you, same as most laptop repairs that go into the Apple stores. Id imagine the twp previous posters who are talking down CompUSA either are basing their assumptions on nothing or have had individual bad experiences. Bad experiences happen every where. Noones perfect. I have had several of my own Macs along with all of my customers as the CompUSA I am based in is the only Mac Retail and Sevrice int his area. Sure every once in a while you have a customer with a bad experience but I have yet to see one myself.

Get it to them and get it fixed man. They wouldnt tell you that for no reason.

Kevin

 

[plinden]

Before taking it anywhere for repair, buy an external enclosure and put your hard drive into it (it's pretty easy to remove the HDs on the MacBooks). Beg or borrow (don't steal) another Mac and copy the HD contents over.

It's highly likely your HD will be wiped at some time during repair.

 

[mick4394]

How come (us) macbook owners are too worried about scratches?

I don't have a problem with scratches. I have a problem with a careless technician taking my month old computer and making it look like an old, used piece of junk. That's just poor service.

If I put the scratches on it, fine. If someone else does, they need to fix it.

 

[wako]

I have to disagree here. They really did a job on my Macbook, scratched it to hell. Yes, I called and complained, and they did replace my entire case. But, because of the original problem, then the scratching, I went a month without my Macbook.

A total of a month without a macbook and you were able to get it back twice? Thats not bad...


With CompUSA expect to get your MacBook back in a month. If there is more problems that werent fixed, you have to take it back again and it would be another month...

 

[GFLPraxis]

I am soooo depressed! I have had my macbook since christmas with absolutely no problems. Today I leave the room for 5 minutes and bam I come back and it is dead (pretty much).

The hard drive is spinning, but the display is black and unresponsive. I spent 15 minutes on the phone with applecare and they couldn't get it to work. They told me to take it to my local compusa to see if they can get it started and if they can't, I have to send it in.

I haven't taken it in to compusa yet, but I am pretty sure they won't be able to fix it. I am super paranoid about sending it back to apple because I am pretty anal and I am worried it will come back terribly scratched up. I need some words of encouragement cause I am really bummed.

CompUSA'll take a look at it, but if it's not an easy fix their policy is to ship it to Apple for you.

Don't be worried; my AppleCare experience has been amazing. Apple had the laptop in their care for less than 24 hours, and they did an entire case replacement on mine, for free. No scratches.

And this was a PowerBook.

 

[GFLPraxis]

With CompUSA expect to get your MacBook back in a month. If there is more problems that werent fixed, you have to take it back again and it would be another month...

Uh...I actually work at a CompUSA, and I'm curious why you say that.

If they can fix it in store, it'll be done within a couple days (depending how much of a queue there is, it can sometimes get done in hours). If they can't, they ship it out to Apple, who ships it back, in just as much time as if you sent it yourself.

 

[GFLPraxis]

the CompUSA I am based in is the only Mac Retail and Sevrice int his area.

You work at Comp too? Or are you an Apple rep?

 

[mick4394]

A total of a month without a macbook and you were able to get it back twice? Thats not bad...


With CompUSA expect to get your MacBook back in a month. If there is more problems that werent fixed, you have to take it back again and it would be another month...

I had the Macbook for a month, sent it in for repair, it came back scratched. I sent it back for case replacement the next day. All told, after owning my Macbook for a month, I spent the next month waiting for it to return from repair from Apple.

 

[holamiamigos]

actually i have had a positive compusa mac experience... theres this one cool mac guy who almost knows everything about macs... he taught me many things so if there are any specialists there i would recommend sending it there

 

[izibo]

Uh...I actually work at a CompUSA, and I'm curious why you say that.

If they can fix it in store, it'll be done within a couple days (depending how much of a queue there is, it can sometimes get done in hours). If they can't, they ship it out to Apple, who ships it back, in just as much time as if you sent it yourself.

Seriously? Are you listening to yourself? I also (used) to work at CompUSA. Very few stores have any techs that are certified to do Apple work (like change out a motherboard on a notebook). Generally, they can reinstall the OS or change out a HD... that is about it. After that, they mail it to Apple (or another notebook repair depot for out of warranty repairs) and it comes back when Apple is done. In addition, you have to tack on the 3 or 4 extra days that CompUSA would take to send it out and take into account that they usually don't overnight them to Apple.

With Apple care you overnight your notebook to them, the fix it, then they overnight it back. You are saving at least 3 or 4 days, which to most people is a HUGE difference.

Bottom line: If you want the notebook back ASAP, send it to Apple yourself! Don't take it to the genius bar, don't take it to CompUSA. Cut out the middle man!

 

[newmac777]

Which macbook do you have? Just curious.
I agree I wouldn't take it to compusa, i go straight to apple care.
Applecare does a good job when ive had to use them.

I have the white 2.0 core 2 duo...no upgrades just the upper level white one haha

Thanks for all of your input...I think I'll just send it straight to apple. I can always hold them accountable for scratching the case but I don't think it would be as easy to hold compusa accountable (I'm a big time perfectionist).

I'm really mad cause I spent like forever transferring all my crap over from my pc just a week ago and now this...I CAN'T STAND having to use my old comp again and I'll probably lose all my crap too.

 

[newmac777]

I don't have a problem with scratches. I have a problem with a careless technician taking my month old computer and making it look like an old, used piece of junk. That's just poor service.

If I put the scratches on it, fine. If someone else does, they need to fix it.

EXACTLY!!!!!

 

[GFLPraxis]

Seriously? Are you listening to yourself? I also (used) to work at CompUSA. Very few stores have any techs that are certified to do Apple work (like change out a motherboard on a notebook). Generally, they can reinstall the OS or change out a HD... that is about it. After that, they mail it to Apple (or another notebook repair depot for out of warranty repairs) and it comes back when Apple is done. In addition, you have to tack on the 3 or 4 extra days that CompUSA would take to send it out and take into account that they usually don't overnight them to Apple.

With Apple care you overnight your notebook to them, the fix it, then they overnight it back. You are saving at least 3 or 4 days, which to most people is a HUGE difference.

Bottom line: If you want the notebook back ASAP, send it to Apple yourself! Don't take it to the genius bar, don't take it to CompUSA. Cut out the middle man!

Yeah, but the person I was replying to said CompUSA would take a month

Sending it to AppleCare is going to be a couple days faster, always, and its what I'd do. But there seems to be a paranoia about taking it to CompUSA.