PowerBook Disassembly Guide 226
kwiens writes "We've been slaving away for months to create the FixIt Guide Series-- a set of Free-As-In-Beer step by step PowerBook disassembly instructions. Maybe waiting another 6-18 months for those PowerBook G5's will be easier if you fix your old PowerBook now (or just use the Guides as a starting point for that killer PowerBook case mod). Guides are up now for the PowerBook G3 Wallstreet, Lombard, Pismo and Titanium PowerBook G4 Mercury, Onyx, DVI."
Warranty? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:You think this will get shut down? (Score:5, Informative)
get applecare extended warranty (Score:5, Informative)
They don't go wrong often, but when you pick the thing up and carry it round with you everywhere, inevitably some of the laptops develop issues. And portables can be expensive to fix.
It's what, a couple of hundred dollars? Trust me, you'll make that back many times over if a hinge goes, or a screen dies, or whatever...
-- james
Re:Warranty? (Score:5, Informative)
Hmmm.. (Score:5, Informative)
That said, I love being an Apple tech.. I get these goodies within a week of the product being released.
Right... (Score:2, Informative)
This guide may be ok if you're past the manufacturers warranty and you didn't get an instore one...
But for me, I got a 3yr [practically useless] warranty from Futureshop. I'll let them [or their sub-contractors] fix problems with my laptop.
Though if I had todo it again I would probably a) not buy a laptop and b) not get an extended warranty. It's been nearly 60 days since I dropped of my laptop to have the hard drive replaced.
nearly 90% of the time Futureshop had my laptop it was sitting in their warehouse awaiting transport...Such a waste.
Tom
Re:Right... (Score:2, Informative)
They used to be so good (over the counter, no questions), then 30 day (my Sony DSC-717 is under this warranty) and now the 60 day fix or replace for refurb kit. It's just not worth it. Better save the pennies spent on that and use it for future upgrades.
Good luck with getting the laptop back tho. When my cam broke (flash stopped popping up, they 'fixed' it by breaking the whole shebang- the camera wouldn't turn on at all, and then tried to make me sign the pick-up slip so that they can take it back for another 30 days.)
Haven't bought anything from FutureShock since. Their parent company (BestBuy) is even worse.
I know this is slightly off topic, but good info for anyone in Canada.
Re:free as in ... (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Warranty? (Score:3, Informative)
Actually, in many countries/states, you *are* allowed to open/touch your own computer. It won't necessarily void your hardware warranty - you should check up on local laws, which will most likely override any bullshit Apple feed you in their warranty 'agreement'.
For example, I know that in Australia you have a statutory warranty that will NOT be voided by opening up your computer or laptop or indeed installing new parts or removing old ones. After all, if something is kaput it is kaput whether you open your computer after it breaks or not. In fact, computer stores are not supposed to put those little 'warranty void if removed' stickers across the back of computer cases any more - it is an offence to try to deny that a statutory warranty exists.
Of course, nothing you add to your computer will be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Re:Warranty? (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Right... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:what about for ibooks? (Score:3, Informative)
What I used was the iBook Upgrade [geocities.com] website. But be aware that there is a lot of difference between the 12" and 14" versions, so screws are not always on the same location as shown on the pics!
More disassembly tricks for laptops, PDAs, ... (Score:5, Informative)
-- Keep your mobile running
Re:Saving money is great - fraud is not. (Score:2, Informative)
If you have to ask that, then you obviously have never taken any classes on ethics, or really thought about it. It would really do your business (and your customers) a service. Here is a link to reading up on ethics. Creating a Code of Ethics for Your Organization [ethicsweb.ca]
Re:Can't get to the site... (Score:4, Informative)
The Apple manual for the same model suggests putting the keyboard/wrist rest area of the laptop flat on a desk (with a towel or similar underneath), with the screen open and extended off the desk into your lap; that strikes me as less likely to get the screen damaged.
Comment removed (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Saving money is great - fraud is not. (Score:4, Informative)
So we called Apple, and notified them. they immediately canceled the warranty on the computer's serial number, and we refused to do the repairs.
This doesn't happen very often, but it's happened two or three times in the 5 years I've been working here as an Apple Tech.
Re:get applecare extended warranty (Score:4, Informative)
Unfortunately, they won't fix my 8-month-old TiBook with AppleCare and broken hinges.
The problem is, of course, that it wasn't a "defect" that caused them to break. It was...well, I don't know what it was. I jump up, 'cause I hear a bunch of stuff fall down in the next room, I try to put my computer down on the little table...and my aim is a fraction of an inch off, so it hits on its corner, rather than landing on its base. The screen bends backwards.
It's still a perfectly usable computer, it just needs its screen propped up on something. And to fix it would cost nearly $700.
I'm considering giving it to my fiancee in a few months when we get married, and getting myself a newer AlBook. And being a little more careful with it this time. :-/
So don't forget, AppleCare only covers things that break by themselves. I know, it's the standard way to do warranties, but it's still really annoying.
Dan Aris
Re:get applecare extended warranty (Score:4, Informative)
Re:TWO mouse button mod for powerbook? (Score:4, Informative)
WATCH OUT! (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Warranty? (Score:2, Informative)
Umm... I suspect that if an item is sold as a "sealed unit" item that you would find that warranty is voided if you open the case. It is not uncommon for certain items to be designated CRU (customer replaceable units) - for example in your laser printer, the toner cartridge is a CRU but the fuser assembly probably isn't. Pulling out the fuser and taking it to HP and saying you want it fixed under warranty is probably not going to get you very far.
Laptops are designed to very fine tolerances, even experienced computer technicians can have difficulty working with them. I used to be a laptop specialist in a Apple Gold Service Centre in Melbourne (Australia), and would frequently see units come in the had casing damage from being forced, or units that had been reassembled incorrectly. There is a world of difference between working on a desktop unti and a laptop. Desktop computers are designed to be pulled apart and upgraded by the end user, laptops typically aren't, and in some rare cases require special tools to open them or reseal them.
I would check you local statutory regulations regarding "sealed unit" items and warranty before you start pulling it apart and expecting to have warranty coverage.
My two cents (Score:5, Informative)
It was interesting to note how many people attributed my laptop's hard drive failure to the fact that it was a Mac. The Powerbook used an IBM Travelstar (or should that be IBM Travesty?) hard drive, which is also very common in PC laptops (as are Toshiba drives). These people just didn't realize that I was toting it back and forth to school every day, and waking it from sleep a LOT daily. Some days I would tote it on the back of my motorcycle, sitting in my backpack without a case of its own (admittedly not a smart thing to do). One day I accidentally dropped it three feet onto hard ground (thankfully while it was off). I can attest that any machine would die given what I put it through. Thankfully, it was just the hard drive, and it was easy to swap out. Otherwise, it's still chugging along, like a double decker bus packed into a sports car body.
Re:Warranty? (Score:1, Informative)
The only way a tech can tell if someone has been inside is if you screw something up.
But, there are some things inside Apple portables that are one-use items, and have to be replaced after you've opened them.
The heat sink pads, for example, are frequently a single-use thermal pad, and if you use grease to replace it, somebody's going to know that it's been opened and repaired incorrectly.
Also, many components are taped - it's not a seal, as such, but if you don't put new tape on, it'll be obvious that it has been removed and replaced. I suppose you could be extremely careful removing and replacing the tape, if you wanted to. But, unless something else is physically damaged (or you're an ass) most techs don't care. And you can always say it's been previously repaired by a certified tech, since unless parts have been replaced, Apple doesn't have records of repairs done at dealers - and they don't always even replace the tape at their own shops - if it's still sticky, it gets reused.
(posting anonymously because I am an Apple Certified Portable Technician)