Dropped.

[SoLibertyDies]

Hey guys.

So, I dropped my MBP a few weeks ago and, while all the hardware runs smoothly, there is a minor dent between the Lid Release and the CD Drive.

My problem is that the first time after the incident that I pressed in the lid release to open it, it stuck. Therefore I can't secure my MBP closed. This makes transport difficult as I can't use sleep mode because it will wake and sleep over and over so I have to shut down each time.

Is there a way to perhaps pop it out? I've never opened it and I'm kind of scared to. I dunno, your thoughts?

 

[poppe]

Hey guys.

So, I dropped my MBP a few weeks ago and, while all the hardware runs smoothly, there is a minor dent between the Lid Release and the CD Drive.

My problem is that the first time after the incident that I pressed in the lid release to open it, it stuck. Therefore I can't secure my MBP closed. This makes transport difficult as I can't use sleep mode because it will wake and sleep over and over so I have to shut down each time.

Is there a way to perhaps pop it out? I've never opened it and I'm kind of scared to. I dunno, your thoughts?

Do you have any pictures to get a better idea of what we are talking about?

 

[gr8tfly]

If you're comfortable with Terminal, you can disable the wake when lid is opened. With it disabled, you will have normal sleep when closed, but not wake when lid is opened. It'll help out until the latch gets fixed.

disable:
sudo pmset -a lidwake 0

enable:
sudo pmset -a lidwake 1

check current setting:
pmset -g

Also, you can see the setting in System Profiler > Power (Wake On Clamshell Open)

Remember to re-enable lidwake after fixing the latch.

 

[hayduke]

While I haven't dropped my PB (...yet) you should be able to pop out the lid release button. I accidently pushed my in too far...just dumb fiddling...and it to got stuck behind the outer enclosure. Grab something like a toothpicka and see if you can't get it to pop out.

 

[YS2003]

You can get the tight-fitting sleeve from Radtech. I think the one from Marware is not as tight as Radtech because of the difference in materials they use. I carry my Mac in sleep mode and keep it in the sleeve to prevent the scratch and accidental opening.

 

[SoLibertyDies]

Do you have any pictures to get a better idea of what we are talking about?

I'll work on getting pics when I get home from work today. Thanks for all your quick responses guys.

I was thinking about disabling lid open wake. along with the tight case, but I really would like to have it shut tightly just for the sake of being not so broken. It's a pretty new computer and to have it compromised like this depresses me.

 

[SoLibertyDies]

You can see where the case bubbles up a little where it fell, almost aligned with the center of the trackpad.

Thoughts?

 

[brad.c]

If you removed the bottom casing, you could to a little bit of gentle bodywork, but I would NOT have the cajones to try that myself. Or maybe I would, if I new I had to take it in for repair anyways. Ultimately, if you have Applecare coverage that can be voided by the above or similar advice, take it to the shop.

Or get a tight-fitting sleeve as YS2003 suggests.

HTH

Curious: how far a drop, and onto what kind of surface?

 

[jeremy.king]

Before you take it apart, I'd try pushing down on the plastic "bubble" while pushing the latch button IN to see if you can get it to realign itself.

Otherwise, its about a 20-30 min project to take the casing off and put it back together.

Check out the Hard Drive upgrade video for the Macbook Pro to get an idea of the work involved to get the case off.

http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/installation.cfm

 

[SoLibertyDies]

Curious: how far a drop, and onto what kind of surface?

I'd say 3 feet-ish onto mostly carpet but the center hit this side of a table. it was open when it fell too I'm very luck that this is all that happened I think.

I have a buddy who's got experience in repairs, but do you think it's worth voiding the warranty, I don't have applecare but I only got it in September so I have a good chunk left.

 

[brad.c]

I'd say 3 feet-ish onto mostly carpet but the center hit this side of a table. it was open when it fell too I'm very luck that this is all that happened I think.

I have a buddy who's got experience in repairs, but do you think it's worth voiding the warranty, I don't have applecare but I only got it in September so I have a good chunk left.

Wow, I think that's your allotment of luck for this month. Good and bad. I've had nightmare like this, but your situation sounds like the best of a bad situation.

Now I haven't read the fine print on Applecare, (basic or extended), but maybe a good question to ask is: does dropping your computer void the waranty anyways? I know this kind of damage isn't covered for repair, but what's stopping them from blaming any future problem from the drop? I wonder if anybody else has read the legalese, or knows from experience?

 

[SoLibertyDies]

After watching that video on how to take it apart, how exactly does apple know you've opened it?

 

[hayduke]

Mine was stuck in a very similar position. Did you try using a toothpick to get it to pop out. Mine was simply stuck behind the case itself and I was able to pop it down a little and then it popped out (...accidently typed "pooped out" the first time...that's another matter!!!).

 

[Hockeypuck]

does dropping your computer void the waranty anyways? I know this kind of damage isn't covered for repair, but what's stopping them from blaming any future problem from the drop?

I don't know about taking it to Apple itself, but I work in a certified repair center, and here's how we do it.

If the drop obviously caused the damage, i.e. cracked screen, then we can't cover the repair under warranty. Other than that, drops don't generally affect your warranty.

To the OP:
Try popping the battery out and pushing the button back out from inside the battery bay. I've seen screws get stuck in there that jam the release button, so you may be able to push it back out from inside.

 

[brad.c]

I don't know about taking it to Apple itself, but I work in a certified repair center, and here's how we do it.

If the drop obviously caused the damage, i.e. cracked screen, then we can't cover the repair under warranty. Other than that, drops don't generally affect your warranty.

Thanks Hockeypuck, that's good to hear! In your line of work, have you done any "bodywork" on drops similar to the OPs? And what kind of repair bill would it be for something that sounds basically cosmetic? That's if you don't mind estimating, of course ;-)

 

[motoxpress]

I mistakenly dented my MBP a few weeks ago when it was in the bag I was running up some steps and slipped a bit and the bag came down and hit the corner of the step. Left a dent to the right of the Express 34 slot I have been thinking about disassembling so I can try to bend it back in place but wasn't sure how soft the material is. I could make it worse

-mx

 

[HowEver]

It's possible that someone could simply push the latch in too far, isn't it? I'm not saying you should fail to tell AppleCare you dropped the computer, I'm saying that perhaps Apple would be nice enough to pop out the latch mechanism for you. After all, the rest of the computer is working fine, no?

 

[e12a]

After hearing more of this, i'm wondering if i should get the speck see-thru hard shell for MBPs...but its 50 bucks!