Apple Starts Logic Board Repair Program

QuantumSpritz writes "In response to issues with iBook logic boards flaking out, Apple has posted an FAQ detailing the problems and what to do if you're affected. iBooks purchased in the last 3 years are eligible, and you may be reimbursed if you've already had to pay for repairs."

Thanks Apple!

[pafmax]

I can't say how happy I am for this. My iBook has a UV316... S# and might be afflicted by the same problem in the future (knocks on wood)... Until now I was kind of scared of being presented to the iBook's now famous "screen of death" and specially sacared of having to pay for this failure. Knowing that for the next 2 years (and a few months) I'll be covered by warranty, if this happens, is a huge, huge releif.

It's thigs like this that will make me use mac's for as log as I can, and that take the reason to all those stupid anti-apple comments. Apple DOES listen to their custumers and helds responsability for their producs, and the errors that they might have... What more can you ask?

First In The UK

[boris_the_hacker]

Apple uk weren't ready for this replacement scheme, but when I found out this morning, I phoned up and they took a while and elevated my technical support call up the tiers rapidly.

I actually asked if there was many calls, but got told that I was the first in the UK & Ireland to call :)

But they are picking up my iBook so I am happy :)

I've got one

[jos3000]

I've got a 700MHz iBook which started demonstrating the problems when it was 2 months over it's 1 year standard cover. I cursed myself for not extending the applecare and had to buy an eMac in order to get working again.

At this stage I had no idea that it was a common problem - I simply counted it as bad luck.

I was aware the problem could be temporarily aleviated by squeezing on certain parts of the case so I diagnosed it as a loose connection or something shorting out. With nothing to loose I took the whole thing apart and started experimenting with putting presure on the logic board at different places.

I discovered that placing a bit of cork to keep the graphics chip in place I could get the machine to be as solid as a rock. I'm writing from it now - it's just the logic board screwed to a bit of wood with the screen standing in an easel. It's been on and working since Christmas with no crashes. I only need to restart for security patches.

What I've done would have voided my warranty - but I didn't have one any more when I started taking it apart. The wording on Apple's page seems to imply this has nothing to do with the warranty anyway.

I feel that I am due some sort of compensation from Apple but I don't really know how to approach them. Should I ask for a new logic board? A new iBook? Cash? It is their fault that I had to butcher my iBook - so I feel justified that I am due something.

What do you guys think I should do?

Re:Figures ...

[Halo1]

In other words, once you get a good motherboard it'll stay good. If you keep getting bad ones, they'll die in a few months so just keep trying!

My motherboard only died after 10 months. The first replacement I got was a dud, though (system overheated after it was under full load for 40 minutes or so).

And I'm in more or less the same situation as the grandparent: I bought AppleCare 2 weeks ago because I didn't want to risk getting another dead motherboard after my warranty has expired... Yeah well, I guess I'll be able to recoup at least some of it in the form of a new battery in a year and a half or so probably.

Re:Thanks Apple!

[Megane]

Don't forget the Powerbook hinge problems. Fortunately for me, I skipped directly from a PB 145 to a Pismo. But remember, those were Apple's sucky years. I also managed to go from a IIci to a PowerTower Pro 225 to a Windtunnel, so I also missed most of that era, except as used machines. Boy those 6100s were crap. Not the falling apart kind of crap, just the underperforming kind of crap. In fact, the most ironic thing was the name "Performa", because anything with that name certainly didn't.

Still some questions

[bedouin]

Have they actually identified the problem and found a way to stop it from reoccurring? Free service or not, continuing to be plagued by faulty logic boards would suck.

Also, since they're specifying machines made within a certain date, and with a specific serial number, does this mean only those machines were susceptible to logic board failures? I personally haven't had any problems with the iBook I bought in July, and neither has my friend's that was manufactured in March 2003, though his serial number is different than those listed as eligible for repair. How is it that certain machines (like my friend's) manufactured between May 2002 and April 2003 aren't eligible? What exactly is different in how his and mine were manufactured that make them 'safe?' From the looks of his serial number it may be a refurbished machine.

Just curious. Maybe someone with experience disassembling them can shed some slight on this.