Missing Screws. What to Do?

[andreab35]

Hi everyone!

On the bottom of my MBA Rev. B, I have no clue how it happened, but I have about 2 missing screws that is causing the casing to pop off.

I really need these two screws to secure the bottom of the laptop.

If I go to the Genius Bar, do you think they will be able to help me out or how much they may charge? (I don't have a warranty anymore, however).
Or, do you any of you have some extra screws lying around?

Thank you!

 

[Scottsdale]

You need to buy them at iFixIt.com. There might be a few other sources online. Sometimes they have them on eBay. Usually have to buy the entire set of them for $30.

Do not go to Apple and ask them to give you screws via an AppleCare appointment. I definitely wouldn't take your MBA into the Apple store nor give them your name. You need to ensure that they don't document that it's been taken apart and missing screws.

I doubt many people are going to give them to you as not many would have extra MBA screws as it would mean taking apart their own and giving them to you. I think you should just bite the bullet and buy a set of them.

 

[Lumpydog]

Do not go to Apple and ask them to give you screws via an AppleCare appointment. I definitely wouldn't take your MBA into the Apple store nor give them your name. You need to ensure that they don't document that it's been taken apart and missing screws.

OP said it was no longer under warranty. Go to the apple store and see if they will fix it. Nothing to loose.

 

[Scottsdale]

OP said it was no longer under warranty. Go to the apple store and see if they will fix it. Nothing to loose.

Sorry missed it. Sure, that's correct then. However, I wouldn't think for a minute those jerks would be helpful in any way. I think they're all a bunch of condescending arrogant jerks who think they know everything and I can see them lecturing the OP for opening the MBA as all they did was lose the screws in the process. I have never met more IT/Geek jerks ever than those at the Apple Store.

I still think eBay is best bet to get screws with no hassles or someone telling you that you're ignorant for opening your Mac.

 

[duncanapple]

I stripped a screw (those frickin phillips #000 screws are extremely hard to get out without damaging) in my aluminum macbook when I was replacing the RAM. I was out of warranty but not only did the genius bar remove the stripped screw but they ordered me 3 new ones (1 + 2 spares) and had them sent to my house for free. I would just go to the apple store, they will likely give them to you, albeit with a slight wait for them to arrive.

I must say again, I really, really hate those #000 screws!!!

 

[aleni]

Lol, i did lost a screw on my mba. Luckily me, i have broken canon digicam, i teared it apart and it has many small screws.

 

[Lumpydog]

Sorry missed it. Sure, that's correct then. However, I wouldn't think for a minute those jerks would be helpful in any way. I think they're all a bunch of condescending arrogant jerks who think they know everything and I can see them lecturing the OP for opening the MBA as all they did was lose the screws in the process. I have never met more IT/Geek jerks ever than those at the Apple Store.

I still think eBay is best bet to get screws with no hassles or someone telling you that you're ignorant for opening your Mac.

Meh - My Apple store guys are pretty understanding and helpful (north shsore shopping center - MA). My guess is that if she goes in, she leaves with screws replaced at no charge. It's a simple fix - they will have the parts.

Go in and sweet talk them Andrea - they'll take care of you.

 

[tigres]

Sorry missed it. Sure, that's correct then. However, I wouldn't think for a minute those jerks would be helpful in any way. I think they're all a bunch of condescending arrogant jerks who think they know everything and I can see them lecturing the OP for opening the MBA as all they did was lose the screws in the process. I have never met more IT/Geek jerks ever than those at the Apple Store.

I still think eBay is best bet to get screws with no hassles or someone telling you that you're ignorant for opening your Mac.

Wow, you don't like the bar I gather. I rarely have issues at all with my local store. In fact, they have always been helpful, if I fail to get the support I think I desire/deserve- a quick discussion with the manager has never failed me.

 

[quickbrownfox]

I have never met more IT/Geek jerks ever than those at the Apple Store.

Pot calling the kettle black?

 

[calsci]

Apple store should be helpful. those screws somehow can work themselves out over time. If they won't help you ifixit is a great sources for parts.

 

[Scottsdale]

Pot calling the kettle black?

Well, since I am not an "IT Geek" I don't know how, but whatever makes you happy, LMAO!

On a second note to the OP, if it's a woman, I expect they will kiss your ass. Honest to God, I have had problems with Geniuses before and sent my wife in and she walked out with a brand new Mac. I wouldn't be surprised if you could talk your way into a new Mac for a few bad screws, LOL. I am dead serious here!

 

[andreab35]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!
I'll venture over to the Apple store this Saturday after work to see what they can do for me. They're usually pretty good to me in the first place, so hopefully they'll come through (I'll act like a princess )
If they don't come through for me, then oh well! iFixit it is.

Thanks again!

- Andrea

 

[halledise]

I'd say that you're screwed

 

[andreab35]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)

I'd say that you're screwed

Haha! That's a good one!

 

[wdean]

Sometimes they just fall out

Ever since my MBA went in for repairs a year ago, the screws seem to loosen and would fall out if I did not take a screwdriver to them once a month. There is probably some kind of sticky substance I could put in there in order to keep that from happening but I am too lazy.

 

[tangje]

It looks like they might use some blue loctite on the screws.

 

[andreab35]

I just came home from the Apple store and the Genius Bar treated me well. They put in the missing three screws and tightened the rest free of charge. Thanks Apple!

And thank you everyone for your responses!

 

[gwsat]

I just came home from the Apple store and the Genius Bar treated me well. They put in the missing three screws and tightened the rest free of charge. Thanks Apple!

And thank you everyone for your responses!

Andrea -- Thanks for letting us know about your good experience at the Genius Bar. I have found the people who work behind the Genius Bar in the OKC Apple Store to be a mixed bag. Fortunately, though, most of the time I have been treated with courtesy and patience. How much the Genius who helps you knows is a crap shoot. The more senior guys are almost always pretty good but some of the younger employees working there are not ready for prime time

 

[tigres]

I just came home from the Apple store and the Genius Bar treated me well. They put in the missing three screws and tightened the rest free of charge. Thanks Apple!

And thank you everyone for your responses!

Not surprised. No big deal needing some screws.

Glad it worked out for you.

 

[Lumpydog]

My guess is that if she goes in, she leaves with screws replaced at no charge. It's a simple fix - they will have the parts.

Go in and sweet talk them Andrea - they'll take care of you.