Don't be afraid to open your iMac

[Easttime]

Well, a couple of years ago I tried to replace the hard drive on my 2011 iMac. I have lots of experience modifying non-Apple computers and other DIY projects over many years. Bought the tools. Studied videos and forums and rehearsed moves. I thought all went well but the computer did not work afterward. Costly repair attempts at an authorized dealer failed. The dead iMac now sits in my shop as a sad display of 3rd or 4th quadrant risk-taking. I know many have succeeded, but I post this at the risk of derision to balance the discussion. YMMV, as they used to say.

Quadrants:
1. Know lots of a subject and very aware of one’s limits.
2. Know little of a subject and very aware of one’s limits.
3. Know lots of a subject but not aware of one’s limits.
4. Know little of a subject and not aware of one’s limits.

 

[maflynn]

Studied videos and forums and rehearsed moves

One of the major reasons people open up the iMac is to upgrade the storage, there are alternatives, such as external drives. I'm running off an external SSD, and its quite fast, not really noticable at all.

 

[steve62388]

1. If you break it, you pay for it: it's common sense.

2. If you actually watched the video, you know he couldn't get his computer fixed because Apple can't get the parts.

3. Apple cannot void the warranty simply because you opened your iMac. (If you broke it, that's a different story.)

From the FTC:



From MacSales/OWC:

You’re incorrectly assuming that the entire readership of this forum are covered by US law.

 

[Fishrrman]

maflynn wrote:
"One of the major reasons people open up the iMac is to upgrade the storage, there are alternatives, such as external drives. I'm running off an external SSD, and its quite fast, not really noticable at all."

Quoted for truth and agreement.

That's why I ALWAYS say that the "fastest, easiest, cheapest and SAFEST" way to upgrade an iMac that has USB3 is to plug in an external SSD and set it up to become the boot drive. One will get 85% or so of the speed (if the drive had been installed internally), and NONE of "the risk".

tubeexpeience continues to give BAD advice here by encouraging folks to break open iMacs and VOID their warranties.

I'd like to read some anecdotal experiences from folks who opened an iMac while it was still under warranty, had problems, and then took it to Apple for repairs.

 

[mj_]

tubeexpeience continues to give BAD advice here by encouraging folks to break open iMacs and VOID their warranties.

The worst part for me is that he keeps giving this terrible advice in every single iMac thread here on these forums without realizing that most folks have trouble getting into much simpler things like USB enclosures...

Opening up the iMac while it is still in warranty is a terribly stupid idea. Period.

 

[tubeexperience]

maflynn wrote:
"One of the major reasons people open up the iMac is to upgrade the storage, there are alternatives, such as external drives. I'm running off an external SSD, and its quite fast, not really noticable at all."

Quoted for truth and agreement.

That's why I ALWAYS say that the "fastest, easiest, cheapest and SAFEST" way to upgrade an iMac that has USB3 is to plug in an external SSD and set it up to become the boot drive. One will get 85% or so of the speed (if the drive had been installed internally), and NONE of "the risk".

tubeexpeience continues to give BAD advice here by encouraging folks to break open iMacs and VOID their warranties.

I'd like to read some anecdotal experiences from folks who opened an iMac while it was still under warranty, had problems, and then took it to Apple for repairs.

The worst part for me is that he keeps giving this terrible advice in every single iMac thread here on these forums without realizing that most folks have trouble getting into much simpler things like USB enclosures...

Opening up the iMac while it is still in warranty is a terribly stupid idea. Period.

Apple cannot void the warranty simply because you opened your iMac.

From the FTC:

The letters warn that FTC staff has concerns about the companies’ statements that consumers must use specified parts or service providers to keep their warranties intact. Unless warrantors provide the parts or services for free or receive a waiver from the FTC, such statements generally are prohibited by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a law that governs consumer product warranties. Similarly, such statements may be deceptive under the FTC Act.

Each company used different language, but here are examples of questionable provisions:

• The use of [company name] parts is required to keep your . . . manufacturer’s warranties and any extended warranties intact.
• This warranty shall not apply if this product . . . is used with products not sold or licensed by [company name].
• This warranty does not apply if this product . . . has had the warranty seal on the [product] altered, defaced, or removed.

“Provisions that tie warranty coverage to the use of particular products or services harm both consumers who pay more for them as well as the small businesses who offer competing products and services,” said Thomas B. Pahl, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

From MacSales/OWC:

Unfortunately though, there exists a misconception among some users and even technicians that opening the machine voids the warranty.

We address this topic directly with customers via our support portals and are happy to inform you here of the same fact: upgrading your Mac does not void its warranty.

This consumer protection is owed to the little known Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. Put simply, the act states that a company can’t require you to upgrade with only its own branded parts to retain the warranty. This important act protects your rights as a consumer and allows you to install upgrades with peace of mind confidence.

However, the warranty doesn’t cover any damage incurred while installing upgrades.

[doublepost=1529852433][/doublepost]

It's worse than that. They may refuse even paid service after the warranty expires.

So?

You can buy the parts and repair it yourself or take your computer to a repair shop.

It's almost always cheaper than paying Apple for repair anyway.
[doublepost=1529852482][/doublepost]

Well, a couple of years ago I tried to replace the hard drive on my 2011 iMac. I have lots of experience modifying non-Apple computers and other DIY projects over many years. Bought the tools. Studied videos and forums and rehearsed moves. I thought all went well but the computer did not work afterward. Costly repair attempts at an authorized dealer failed. The dead iMac now sits in my shop as a sad display of 3rd or 4th quadrant risk-taking. I know many have succeeded, but I post this at the risk of derision to balance the discussion. YMMV, as they used to say.

Quadrants:
1. Know lots of a subject and very aware of one’s limits.
2. Know little of a subject and very aware of one’s limits.
3. Know lots of a subject but not aware of one’s limits.
4. Know little of a subject and not aware of one’s limits.

So what went wrong?
[doublepost=1529852686][/doublepost]

One of the major reasons people open up the iMac is to upgrade the storage, there are alternatives, such as external drives. I'm running off an external SSD, and its quite fast, not really noticable at all.

It doesn't provide the same reliability as having an internal SSD.

There are also other limitations. ie. TRIM doesn't work. Boot Camp doesn't work. etc.

 

[Smearbrick]

This thread would be even better if OP offered a warranty with his advice!

Good luck finding him if you are silly enough to even attempt to blame your mistakes on him.

 

[tubeexperience]

Good luck finding him if you are silly enough to even attempt to blame your mistakes on him.

LOL.

I am right here.

 

[mj_]

Apple cannot void the warranty simply because you opened your iMac.

I never said it would. All I said is that it's a terribly stupid idea because even if you're right you'll have to prove that you opening your iMac did not cause the damage you are now claiming warranty for. Good luck with that

Plus, have you ever even remotely considered the fact that this planet is much larger than the US, and that roughly 96% of the population are NOT subject to US laws and regulations?

 

[tubeexperience]

I never said it would. All I said is that it's a terribly stupid idea because even if you're right you'll have to prove that you opening your iMac did not cause the damage you are now claiming warranty for. Good luck with that

It's pretty obvious when the the repair/upgrade was botched.

Often, the screws are either in the wrong places or missing.

Plus, have you ever even remotely considered the fact that this planet is much larger than the US, and that roughly 96% of the population are NOT subject to US laws and regulations?

Other countries have similar laws.

 

[mj_]

Thank you for those two statements. With these, you have made it perfectly clear that there is absolutely no point arguing with you. Your view on the world is so severely limited that it's painful to read. I'm outta here, good luck.

 

[tubeexperience]

Thank you for those two statements. With these, you have made it perfectly clear that there is absolutely no point arguing with you. Your view on the world is so severely limited that it's painful to read. I'm outta here, good luck.

Your argument is a red herring.

There are similar laws in other countries preventing tie-ins sale provisions, but I cannot possibly know all of them.

For example, Canada has the Competition Act, the Consumer Protection Act, and the Sale of Goods Act.

Likewise, Australia has the Australian Consumer Law.

 

[Easttime]

One of the major reasons people open up the iMac is to upgrade the storage, there are alternatives, such as external drives. I'm running off an external SSD, and its quite fast, not really noticable at all.

Should have done that. Well, too late now.

 

[Krayzkat]

Well, a couple of years ago I tried to replace the hard drive on my 2011 iMac. I have lots of experience modifying non-Apple computers and other DIY projects over many years. Bought the tools. Studied videos and forums and rehearsed moves. I thought all went well but the computer did not work afterward. Costly repair attempts at an authorized dealer failed. The dead iMac now sits in my shop as a sad display of 3rd or 4th quadrant risk-taking. I know many have succeeded, but I post this at the risk of derision to balance the discussion. YMMV, as they used to say.

Quadrants:
1. Know lots of a subject and very aware of one’s limits.
2. Know little of a subject and very aware of one’s limits.
3. Know lots of a subject but not aware of one’s limits.
4. Know little of a subject and not aware of one’s limits.

Well i did that to my 2010 iMac with no problems on the installation and i have no experience in modifying any Apple or non-Apple computer over any years. I bought a kit, watched a video on ipad while i did it, and hey presto everything worked.

I know they are called quadrants, but perhaps you should add another one:
5. People that worry too much about if they know enough or not and how much they are aware if they know enough or not.

 

[maflynn]

Should have done that. Well, too late now.

Yeah, that's a bummer

 

[flyinmac]

It's pretty obvious when the the repair/upgrade was botched.

Often, the screws are either in the wrong places or missing.



Other countries have similar laws.

Doesn’t have to be any visible indications that anything was done incorrectly.

You could disassemble and reassemble the machine perfectly, and you’ve still given them a reason to deny warranty service.

All they have to say is that they think you’ve discharged static onto any given component while you were inside the computer.

Now good luck proving them wrong.

It’s your word against theirs. Any they’ll win. Even if you’re foolish enough to spend money pursuing them. And when you lose, you can pay their attorney fees too (hint... their attorneys charge more per hour than what a new iMac costs —- so you’d be money ahead buying a new computer instead of wasting one hour of time arguing it).

And how will they know you’ve been inside the machine??? A manufacturer always knows. Trust me. I’ve been one. And I can open anything I’ve ever sold and know you were in there. Even if you didn’t leave a mark, I’ll know. Why??? Because I built it just right to give the slightest hint. You’ll never see it, but I will because I know what I’m looking for.

 

[tubeexperience]

Doesn’t have to be any visible indications that anything was done incorrectly.

You could disassemble and reassemble the machine perfectly, and you’ve still given them a reason to deny warranty service.

All they have to say is that they think you’ve discharged static onto any given component while you were inside the computer.

Now good luck proving them wrong.

It’s your word against theirs. Any they’ll win. Even if you’re foolish enough to spend money pursuing them. And when you lose, you can pay their attorney fees too (hint... their attorneys charge more per hour than what a new iMac costs —- so you’d be money ahead buying a new computer instead of wasting one hour of time arguing it).

And how will they know you’ve been inside the machine??? A manufacturer always knows. Trust me. I’ve been one. And I can open anything I’ve ever sold and know you were in there. Even if you didn’t leave a mark, I’ll know. Why??? Because I built it just right to give the slightest hint. You’ll never see it, but I will because I know what I’m looking for.

Wrong. The burden of proof is on part of the manufacturer, not the consumer.

It's easy to prove that you didn't put in the screws or put them in the wrong places (hence that is something Apple looks for).

It's difficult (if not impossible) to prove that "you’ve discharged static onto any given component".

______________________________________________________________________________

It's the same way with cars.

 

[flyinmac]

Wrong. The burden of proof is on part of the manufacturer, not the consumer.

It's easy to prove that you didn't put in the screws or put them in the wrong place (hence that is something Apple looks for).

It's difficult (if not impossible) to prove that "you’ve discharged static onto any given component".

______________________________________________________________________________

It's the same way with cars.

You don’t seem to have any actual life experience in litigation.

You’re talking to someone who has studied law. And someone who has a lot of experience in corporate management and operating companies who produce and hardware and software. And I have also been that person in charge of warranty service as well.

And... I am also someone qualified and known in the industry. Even Apple themselves have contacted me on matters, and I’ve advised some of their legal counsel (though I can’t obviously get into specifics of what areas).

I choose to now live a quieter life. So I have secluded. 3 people know where I live, and only family know my phone number. That’s my right at this stage in life.

But, I can post my name, and instantly I would be contacted by people internationally because I know they’re looking for me, and want my expertise. I choose to stay out of that function now. And as such, I obviously post anonymously. As I said, my right to do so at this stage in life.

But... I can assure you that you are flat wrong. And nearly everything you’ve said in your posts are flat wrong. And I can tell you, that if a person came to me in person and said that they had followed your advice with adverse consequences, I’d take their case and jump into the court room and hang you just for the entertainment factor.

 

[tubeexperience]

You don’t seem to have any actual life experience in litigation.

You’re talking to someone who has studied law. And someone who has a lot of experience in corporate management and operating companies who produce and hardware and software. And I have also been that person in charge of warranty service as well.

And... I am also someone qualified and known in the industry. Even Apple themselves have contacted me on matters, and I’ve advised some of their legal counsel (though I can’t obviously get into specifics of what areas).

I choose to now live a quieter life. So I have secluded. 3 people know where I live, and only family know my phone number. That’s my right at this stage in life.

But, I can post my name, and instantly I would be contacted by people internationally because I know they’re looking for me, and want my expertise. I choose to stay out of that function now. And as such, I obviously post anonymously. As I said, my right to do so at this stage in life.

But... I can assure you that you are flat wrong. And nearly everything you’ve said in your posts are flat wrong. And I can tell you, that if a person came to me in person and said that they had followed your advice with adverse consequences, I’d take their case and jump into the court room and hang you just for the entertainment factor.

...and I am King of Egypt.

 

[alien3dx]

the best advice even after no warranty .


Ain't broken . Dont fixed it. Buy external drive, e-gpu.

 

[flyinmac]

...and I am the King of Egypt.

Obviously not. And your words show no world experience. That is your disqualifier.

I don’t care what your status in society is. But you have simply chosen to speak and advise beyond your qualifications.

Legally, on certain matters, when it comes to other parties, advising and recommending beyond your level of qualifications is a liability.

I don’t advise anyone on matters of launching a large boat. But I am qualified to design and build one. That’s a scientific and design education. And my advice in that area would be respected based on its science.

I have, however, never personally put a boat larger than a private watercraft into the water. So I would be legally liable and found at fault if I chose to speak beyond my qualifications and tell someone how to get a large ship into the ocean without benefit of a ramp (which is done frequently). Hint... not all large boats are built in the water. I’ve seen it done. But I’m not qualified to direct the man operating that equipment. He has experience that I don’t have.

A smart person knows their limits of expertise, and doesn’t speak beyond them without first educating themselves.

 

[CPTmom2wp]

I know that a lot of people on this forum are afraid of opening their own iMac, usually because removing the display seems intimidating.
The two steps that are prone to accidents are: connecting/disconnecting the display connectors.
In this stage, you would be holding the display with one hand while connecting/disconnecting the connectors with the other.Sometimes, either your hand slipped or you get distracted

I am getting intimidated just reading this............and my hand slipping or having a distraction like my dog jumping up onto my lap while working is just one of many reasons I will never, ever try this. Anyone who can do this without breaking into a cold sweat has my undying admiration

 

[tubeexperience]

I am getting intimidated just reading this............and my hand slipping or having a distraction like my dog jumping up onto my lap while working is just one of many reasons I will never, ever try this. Anyone who can do this without breaking into a cold sweat has my undying admiration

This is why you should get second person to hold the display.
[doublepost=1529893308][/doublepost]

Obviously not. And your words show no world experience. That is your disqualifier.

I don’t care what your status in society is. But you have simply chosen to speak and advise beyond your qualifications.

Legally, on certain matters, when it comes to other parties, advising and recommending beyond your level of qualifications is a liability.

I don’t advise anyone on matters of launching a large boat. But I am qualified to design and build one. That’s a scientific and design education. And my advice in that area would be respected based on its science.

I have, however, never personally put a boat larger than a private watercraft into the water. So I would be legally liable and found at fault if I chose to speak beyond my qualifications and tell someone how to get a large ship into the ocean without benefit of a ramp (which is done frequently). Hint... not all large boats are built in the water. I’ve seen it done. But I’m not qualified to direct the man operating that equipment. He has experience that I don’t have.

A smart person knows their limits of expertise, and doesn’t speak beyond them without first educating themselves.

Funny how you spend all those years in law and you didn't realize that tie-in sales provisions are illegal.

 

[flyinmac]

This is why you should get second person to hold the display.
[doublepost=1529893308][/doublepost]

Funny how you spend all those years in law and you didn't realize that tie-in sales provisions are illegal.

Obviously you’re trying to claim I’ve said something different than what I wrote.

Keep digging your hole. Though all you’re accomplishing is discrediting yourself.

A smart person would have simply acknowledged that they performed a task. This is how they did it. And not stated or advised that anybody should do the same.

 

[tubeexperience]

Obviously you’re trying to claim I’ve said something different than what I wrote.

Keep digging your hole. Though all you’re accomplishing is discrediting yourself.

A smart person would have simply acknowledged that they performed a task. This is how they did it. And not stated or advised that anybody should do the same.

My mistake. I was reading someone else’s comment.

How many cases have you won based entirely on hypothetical?

That’s essentially what you argument is: that hypothetically, it could have been “static discharge” that made the computer stopped working.