Had my this deleted from Apple's support discussion forum

[vampyr]

Hey all... for some reason my thread was deleted from Apple's Support Discussion forum.

Nonetheless, I want to get the word out... so here's what I posted:


So here's the story...
I was playing Civ IV in Windows XP using bootcamp on a 2.8GHz iMac I bought less than a year ago.
I was probably playing for about 5 hours into the game when suddenly my iMac shutdowns and reboots itself. I was upset because I hadn't saved my game... but oh well... so the Windows login screen came back up and I went to log in and my iMac reboots itself immediately. I try again, this time I was able to get to windowsupdate thinking maybe there is a fix to this problem I'm having.
I go to click on it and it reboots again... the 4th time it reboots I login and immediately bring up bootcamp to reboot the iMac into Mac OSX thinking my Windows XP install has gone corrupt.
I bring up Mac OSX fine, I turn around to look at something, turn back and noticed my iMac screen is blank... in fact, it's completely shut down!
I tried turning it back on and nothing!
I did all the steps... unplug it for a few hours, remove all cords except power cord, try pluggin into a different electrical outlet, hold down the power button... nothing works. Call Apple support and they tell me to go to the Apple Store (why is there an apple support # if they always tell you to go to the store).

So... I take it to the store and I basically show them that it no longer starts. Well... suddenly I hear the 'ding' chime and see a gray screen... I figured as much, when suddenly it quickly chimes again like it just rebooted or something... THEN that's when it happened. Something inside started burning and you could smell it from the minor smoke fumes coming out the back. I told the 'genius' at the bar that he better unplug it before it goes up in flames and people take pictures of it and cause Apple's stock to drop!!!

So anyhow... they are going to repair it and it will take 10 days. But nonetheless, I've NEVER had a computer this expensive burn up! That is really poor quality and sadly, I no longer recommend Apple products to friends and family. It's a shame too because I was the loudest supporter for Apple, trying my hardest to get friends and family to buy a Mac. Now I look like an idiot and they are all happy they didn't buy an iMac after my experience!

Anyone else have their new iMac nearly catch on fire!

 

[TEG]

This happens with all computers and other electronics now, ever since they removed lead from the Solder to comply with RoHS. The solder is now pure tin, which has the odd problem of creating "Tin Whiskers" that short out circuits, and sounds like it could have been the cause of your problem. It is also possible that the powersupply was just bad. Nothing is perfect, and problems occur regardless of how much you pay, but you pay for the extensive testing, design, and support that comes with it.

And if this turns you off of Macs, then you are an idiot, as "S" happens, live with it.

TEG

 

[Consultant]

Facts: your iMac did not "burn up". Your iMac did NOT catch on fire. You claimed that you think it "nearly catch on fire", but it didn't.

You might want to checking ACTUAL burning computer from other manufacturers:
http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inquirer/news/2006/06/21/dell-laptop-explodes-at-japanese-conference

 

[xpipe]

No, no problems here so far with my iMa......arrrrrrrrrgh!!!!!!!!

 

[nsbio]

I guess your friends will have to shoot you the second after you merely sneeze because after you even sneeze you become a very bad person who can not be trusted any longer.

Everything breaks. It more important how the company treats the breakdown, and it looks like they treated you reasonably well. You could certainly ask for a faster turnaround, but you can not fault their service in this case.

 

[nando2323]

Hey all... for some reason my thread was deleted from Apple's Support Discussion forum.

Nonetheless, I want to get the word out... so here's what I posted:


So here's the story...
I was playing Civ IV in Windows XP using bootcamp on a 2.8GHz iMac I bought less than a year ago.
I was probably playing for about 5 hours into the game when suddenly my iMac shutdowns and reboots itself. I was upset because I hadn't saved my game... but oh well... so the Windows login screen came back up and I went to log in and my iMac reboots itself immediately. I try again, this time I was able to get to windowsupdate thinking maybe there is a fix to this problem I'm having.
I go to click on it and it reboots again... the 4th time it reboots I login and immediately bring up bootcamp to reboot the iMac into Mac OSX thinking my Windows XP install has gone corrupt.
I bring up Mac OSX fine, I turn around to look at something, turn back and noticed my iMac screen is blank... in fact, it's completely shut down!
I tried turning it back on and nothing!
I did all the steps... unplug it for a few hours, remove all cords except power cord, try pluggin into a different electrical outlet, hold down the power button... nothing works. Call Apple support and they tell me to go to the Apple Store (why is there an apple support # if they always tell you to go to the store).

So... I take it to the store and I basically show them that it no longer starts. Well... suddenly I hear the 'ding' chime and see a gray screen... I figured as much, when suddenly it quickly chimes again like it just rebooted or something... THEN that's when it happened. Something inside started burning and you could smell it from the minor smoke fumes coming out the back. I told the 'genius' at the bar that he better unplug it before it goes up in flames and people take pictures of it and cause Apple's stock to drop!!!

So anyhow... they are going to repair it and it will take 10 days. But nonetheless, I've NEVER had a computer this expensive burn up! That is really poor quality and sadly, I no longer recommend Apple products to friends and family. It's a shame too because I was the loudest supporter for Apple, trying my hardest to get friends and family to buy a Mac. Now I look like an idiot and they are all happy they didn't buy an iMac after my experience!

Anyone else have their new iMac nearly catch on fire!

Troll much lately?

 

[xpipe]

I don't blame the guy for being frustrated and PO'ed and wanting to vent.


vampyr, they'll get it fixed and it will be just as good as new or otherwise resolve the situation to your satisfaction. Most people seem to be happy with Applecare.

 

[vampyr]

I don't blame the guy for being frustrated and PO'ed and wanting to vent.


vampyr, they'll get it fixed and it will be just as good as new or otherwise resolve the situation to your satisfaction. Most people seem to be happy with Applecare.

Well... my venting was not what happened to my iMac, but more or less how it got deleted from Apple's website. I thought it was kind of odd, and wanted to get some responses if anyone else had this happen.

As for the poster who said my iMac did not catch on fire... I stated it nearly caught on fire... and had I NOT told the guy to unplug the unit, it quite possibly would have. Hate to say it but I've seen systems go up in flames... and the first thing you smell is that corrosive, burning smell with a hint of plastic melting.

My other complaint was that I have Applecare... which states to call their support number. But after I went through all that time on the phone (nearly an hour). He finally tells me to take it to the nearest Apple store so that they can look at it too.

Nonetheless, this is the 3rd time I've had this iMac replaced or repaired. I've bought ALOT of computer and electronic components and NEVER had the same replaced system fail over and over again (more than 25 years worth).
Maybe after constant use for 5 or more years.... but to have 3 different things fail in less than a year?! heck! I even have a Mac Classic, SE/30 SE Superdrive, and a Mac Color Classic, and they STILL run without any problems!!!!!

 

[TEG]

Most of the problems can be traced to RoHS!

TEG

 

[t0mat0]

Most of the problems can be traced to RoHS!

TEG

The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment".

**** happens. Hence the need for
a) Regular saving
b) Backup
c) Having a remote backup (or at least a bit away from your Mac).
d) AppleCare.
e) Having it go kaput on a Genius bar.

A fire office once said to me that a standard desktop PC, plus lint/dust = the equivalent of a bucket of gasoline. It's a huge fire risk. Always good to have it well ventilated, well hoovered, and well covered by having a trip guard/UPC/surge protector.

 

[snberk103]

My other complaint was that I have Applecare... which states to call their support number. But after I went through all that time on the phone (nearly an hour). He finally tells me to take it to the nearest Apple store so that they can look at it too.

Not to minimize the other problems you experienced, but..... I'm not sure what you expected Applecare to do in this case. Its a hardware problem, obvious even before the smoke appeared, until teleportation is perfected.....

 

[TEG]

The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment".

True, which removed lead from solder, and many companies are having an inordinate number of failures due to "Tin Whiskers" caused by the Tin Solder creating unintended connections in the electronics and shorting them out.

TEG

 

[vampyr]

Not to minimize the other problems you experienced, but..... I'm not sure what you expected Applecare to do in this case. Its a hardware problem, obvious even before the smoke appeared, until teleportation is perfected.....

Well, 24" iMac's aren't exactly meant to be carried around... so I would think they would just send someone out to my house to pick it up, or better yet... send a box with a return label for me to ship back to them. It's what HP does when my laptop fails.

I just don't think driving 80 miles to the nearest Apple store, and then carrying my iMac through a mall, and then having to wait until they yell out your name in a retail store is a very efficient way to get the computer fixed.

Why put the customer out of his or her way because Apple sold a faulty product?!

But honestly.... I've had an HP laptop that had a buzzing noise when I would use headphones... I called HP support, told them the problem over the phone, they overnighted an empty box to me.. had a prepaid overnight label for me to ship it back out, and then had it fixed in 3 days and then shipped it back out to me next day delivery. No need for me to waste gas, or my own personal time (which is worth ALOT more than the entire cost of my iMac)