HELP!! MBP C2D dent what to do please help!!!

[reardoma]

Ok first post and not entirely sure what to say, so go easy on me because i really need some help on this one.
First of all, my machine is a 15" MBP with the new C2D processor, which i purchased on Oct. 27, 2006. Today, when looking at the back of my MBP, i noticed there is a dent in the bottom case, noticeable, about the circumference of a dime. The dent has hardly any depth, but like i said, it's noticeable. It is not in any way affecting the performance of the MBP.

So what should i do? I can think of three options, and here's what i've discovered concerning each possible route.....
(for those of you saying to yourselves "why does he care if the performance isn't altered" you clearly are underestimating how much my MBP means to me and how insane this dent would cause me to be)


1) Attempt to purchase applecare and submit for repair (no i do not have applecare currently) - called to speak about the scope of the warranty under applecare and was told cosmetic damage isn't covered.

2) Attempt to return to the store i purchased it from - don't think this would fly well.......

3) Attempt to buy one of those dent remover kits and gently attempt to suction the dent out - possible, but seems possible i could cause more damage

4) Attempt to open the bottom case and pop it out myself - same as 3...... can you even remove the bottom case on a MBP, or would i have to go in through the top (and wouldn't this void the warranty?)


Honestly guys, i'm just a bit freaked out about all of this, it seems like i've treated this computer with the utmost care, and yet i just happen to glance down and there is dent. I have no idea where to start, but the fact that the dent is there is driving me insane (to the point where i want to do whatever i can to fix this).

I didn't see the opportunity to attach a pic with this post, but if anyone feels they need to see the dent, send me an email to reardoma@gmail.com and i'll shoot you the pics.....


Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.........

if you don't know anything about getting dents out, the question for you is, can you remove the bottom case of a C2D MBP or do you have to go from the top and lift up whatever is over the dent to pop it out?

 

[e12a]

I'd advise to take it back. Though there is a good possibility they wont replace it cause it could have been dropped, but elaborate on what happened and demand a replacement. However, because you had it for a few weeks, it's already passed the 14 day return period.

 

[gr8tfly]

I feel your pain. I had a perfect 17" PB up until something slipped out of my hand and bounced off the back of the display (computer was closed). It left a miniscule dent, but a dent nonetheless.

iFixit.com http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/ has take-apart guides. I'm sure it's the same as the PB's. The top cover (side with keyboard) has to come off first. I suspect you will need to completly disassemble the machine to gain access to the bottom. Warranty would be at risk, for sure. It could be done, but unless you are very good with the type of cabling used in these (they are FRAGILE), working with small fastners and knowing how to work around static sensitive equipment, my guess is you'll have to live with it. Unless, of course, you can convince the store to exchange it.

 

[macman2790]

make up a story about why you missed the 14 day return (family, someone died, you were sick, someone was sick...etc) they will probably understand. Just say something like you really had no chance to take care of it. Maybe you could even get by with saying that you just opened it because of all of the ongoing stress. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Hockeypuck]

To get to the bottom case of those, you would have to go through the entire computer. There are odd connectors, that if broken, would require very expensive repairs.

On the other hand, that dent isn't going to hurt the performance or longetivity of your MacBook. You might give taking it back to wherever you bought it from a shot though.

 

[miniguu]

Just wanted to say that I feel your pain. It gets better with time.

 

[macman2790]

Just wanted to say that I feel your pain. It gets better with time.

i hope i never have to experience that kind of pain when i receive mine.

 

[Sun Baked]

Suck it up.

Now that you've gotten your first dent, you won't go insane trying to keep the machine scratch free.

All that tension about the first scratch or dent might drive you to Prozac.

 

[aaron.lee2006]

lol don't worry bout it. Someone kicked my laptop bag and dented mine. It made me mad at first but I got over it

 

[Sun Baked]

lol don't worry bout it. Someone kicked my laptop bag and dented mine. It made me mad at first but I got over it

Or buy a new case bottom for $250.

 

[The Stig]

pulling the dent out of the bottom would be your best bet. BUT even if you do pull it out at all it will not be perfect and you will always notice it. The best you could hope for it that others won't notice unless you point it out to them.

The Stig

 

[cfairbank]

I had my mbp about 4 days when I accidently dropped our cordless phone on the top of it. It left a very tiny dent on the upper left corner. It is very small but a dent none the less. I was so pissed for about two days and went back and forth with returning it and getting another one but said forget that. Machine still works and will probably get a dent or scratch someday. Now that it is out of the way life is good. No more worries I just need to be a little more careful.

 

[reardoma]

if i was to return it....

guys, if i was to return it, would i be pointing out the dent and coming up with some explanation (i'm not sure when or how it happened), or should i just return it and hope it isn't noticed?

as far as opening it up, i tried unscrewing all the screws on the back, and couldn't lift it up easily, so i decided to not mess with it because i didn't want to mess it up and further..... i looked at it ifixit.com but i couldn't find a clear description of how to lift it up...... is there a step by step that i'm missing..... i'm also not sure, but i'd think there'd be a difference between the pb and the mpb.... any suggestions or links?


thanks for your help so far, keep it coming!!

any experience with actually using the suction thing to lift up dents?

 

[dbater]

Take it in for repair

Don't tell them that someone in the family died and you missed the 14 day return policy... That's juvenile and lying Take it in for repair or put a bandage on it with the word "ouch"

 

[macman2790]

Don't tell them that someone in the family died and you missed the 14 day return policy... That's juvenile and lying Take it in for repair or put a bandage on it with the word "ouch"

i wasn't being realistic about the dieing thing, just giving examples. just make something up.

 

[dbater]

i wasn't being realistic about the dieing thing, just giving examples. just make something up.

No, don't just make up something! The 14 days are up and there is a dent in the bottom. If you just can't stand it get it fixed. It on the bottom of the computer and no one is going to see it anyways unless he uses a computer different then everyone else.

Here's a novel idea, tell them that you put the dent in it and want them to fix it at no charge I am sure they will do it without a problem. I understand that the repair depot have lie detectors.

 

[gr8tfly]

as far as opening it up, i tried unscrewing all the screws on the back, and couldn't lift it up easily, so i decided to not mess with it because i didn't want to mess it up and further..... i looked at it ifixit.com but i couldn't find a clear description of how to lift it up...... is there a step by step that i'm missing..... i'm also not sure, but i'd think there'd be a difference between the pb and the mpb.... any suggestions or links?

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Pro/Logic-Board

You might consider printing out their screw guides. There are different length/thread screws, and you don't want to deal with mixing them.

There are screws that need to come out from bottom (battery side). Once all the screws have been removed, the top cover has to be "worked" free. I've done it twice (optical/harddrive upgrades) on my 17" PB, and I just used my finger nail. The instructions give a good guide for removing it. A credit card or actual "spudger" would probably be good. It's a snap-in fit to the bottom case. Make sure you follow the instructions, as there is a cable that need to be disconnected from the main board.

iFixit has further instructions for removing the optical/harddrive/logic board. You might be lucky, and the dent ends up under the optical drive or harddrive. Whatever you do, remember: those cable are delicate.

I'd still not recommend going further than the optical/harddrive. Even that is a delicate procedure because of the cables. And, one more note: if you don't have a properly fitting phillips and damage the screws, you might have trouble with future warranty coverage.

Oh, and did I mention the cabling is delicate?

Good luck. Still don't really recommend it, but I hope it works out. I'd be interested in how the dent repair goes.

 

[tyroja00]

.........

if you don't know anything about getting dents out, the question for you is, can you remove the bottom case of a C2D MBP or do you have to go from the top and lift up whatever is over the dent to pop it out?

Okay, first don't lie. Second, as someone who has actually replaced a bottom case, let me tell you that it is far more involving than you think. We are talking like ~40 screws of different types and lengths, total dissassembly of your laptop from logic board to optical drive to the little fan connectors (etc.), and don't forget a loss of sanity at looking at your once beautiful laptop in a pile of misshaped parts.

Can you do it? Sure, I ain't the smartest cookie so if I can you can. But, be prepared for a whole day thing. (By the way, you can work that dent out but it takes some skill)

Also, have you tried asking a place like the Dent Wizard (they use suction to remove dents) if there is one like that in your area. I know they work on cars, but it doesn't hurt to ask if it would work.

By the way, if you really need it fixed, $80 - $100 is worth the LABOR.

 

[Zwhaler]

I would bring it back and ask if they can do anything ab out it since it is still under warranty

 

[108]

make up a story about why you missed the 14 day return (family, someone died, you were sick, someone was sick...etc) they will probably understand. Just say something like you really had no chance to take care of it. Maybe you could even get by with saying that you just opened it because of all of the ongoing stress. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Or make up a dramatic story about how the dent got there, and tell it to girls in order to impress them.

 

[erickkoch]

Just get it fixed by someone qualified. I kinda know how you feel. It's like when you get a new car and find your first door-ding. You get mad, feel like taking it to a body shop but eventually just learn to live with it (more door-dings will follow). The car doesn't feel like a new car anymore.

 

[Apple Corps]

Enough already with all of you suggesting lies and dishonesty

I'm an Apple stockholder and that BS lowers earnings. You bought it - you should have checked it out in the first 5 minutes for cosmetic damage. Apple and its stockholders do not owe you a free repair on something like that. PAY to have Apple repair it if it bothers you that much - ebay it and buy a new one - live with it if it works fine otherwise - tell the truth and see what the store will do - who knows - you may wind up with a new machine that has a dead pixel or something else -

 

[nick004]

I love businessman!
Only ethical when it's their money at stake

 

[Apple Corps]

I love businessman!
Only ethical when it's their money at stake

I'm the exception

 

[ZballZ]

It took you - the owner and probably everyday user of your computer - almost one whole MONTH to notice the dent. Just leave it, and be happy it isn't something else!

I would much rather have a machine with an unnoticeable dent on the bottom of it - than something else wrong, like the LCD, Harddisk whine, superdrive whine, fan noise, heat problem or any of the other reported issues..