Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

MBP's hardware issues and some interesting news...

Dec 2, 2007 9:30AM PST

Awhile back, I reported that my MBP had been ripping apart in places around the lid button and the power button. There were other places too though. Anyway, I finally took it into the Genius Bar to have it looked at.
Prior to going to the Apple Store, I figured out that Safari always dropped its signal if I let the laptop alone for awhile even when AirPort says it's connected. Also, I found that closing the laptop screen lit up the sleep light as usual, but it would remain lit instead of flashing. This indicates that it was frozen, even though it wasn't. When I would open it when the light did this, the screen usually failed to awaken, prompting me to wake it with the power button, causing it to sink down even more...

I told the Genius guy everything about this, and that I installed a fresh install of Leopard prior to going to Apple. No change. After doing some test on my MBP and doing something with a FireWire Lacie drive, he told me that there were problems either with my AirPort Extreme Card or the Logic Board. Ouch. Apparently, this was responsible for my internet problems. As to the sleeping issues,he said that the problem with the AirPort connection and stuff could be causing them, but he didn't really know. Solution? My laptop gets shipped on Monday to their depot to have the logic board, AirPort card, and casing replaced.
So now I'm stuck with a G4 incapable of connecting to the internet, and my Windows machines (nooo!!!). Sad At least I can access email and use the Office suites, but I can't sync my iPods to anything or add any new CDs to them. No way am I putting that stuff on the G4. No iMovie editing or IM, no sharing files with friends... yeah. I asked if they could stick in a 250GB HD in it for me (which of course, mine doesn't support one, but I could use the new Santa Rosa model with a better battery, chipset, graphics, etc.) and of course he said Apple doesn't really do that because of standard policy and warranty stuff. I doubt that the sleep problem will be fixed with a new board and AirPort card, so they may end up switching it for a new one anyway. I think it's a software issue... Sigh, my desk looks so empty now.
Still, why would he say it needs a new logic board and AirPort card? I thought it had software issues since the Finder crashed a few times when emptying the trash, using iDisk, or converting and moving iMovie HD files, but that's intense. I never had severe issues, but if they decide to replace those parts, why not just give me a new one? Or, why not stick in the Santa Rosa board (heh-heh)? And the Nvidia card, the better battery... seems pointless to me to not just replace the whole thing. I read a post from about the time the G4 iBooks came out where this guy had a G3 iBook with the logic board problem, and because of the new model release, they swapped it for him just like that. What about me Apple? LOL.
-BMF

At least the wait will payoff, giving my laptop better performance and functionality. Not to mention appearance too.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
What's this? I checked the online repair status and
Dec 5, 2007 10:23AM PST

the "Shipment delivery pending to repair facility" or something is still highlighted. I took it on Saturday, and was assured it would ship immediately on Monday. It's Wednesday today and either they did not ship it or they have failed to update the repair support site. Though I'm sure it has been sent out already, this frustrates me a lot. That machine does quite a lot for me, from basic MS Office documents to iTunes and Garageband projects. Now my current project is making use of my iWeb and iPhoto files along with iMovie, but alas, I cannot do so. And right now it is somewhat hard to work on my G4, which has no internet connection. I'm in a fix. My Windows machines do all the basic stuff, save anything media related. No iPod updates, no recording and video taping, nothing!

I was also assured that though the standard repair time is usually 7-10 business days, the Genius told me that it was very possible for it to be back Friday. Good luck with that Apple. It's been three days and I don't know if it's been worked on at all! I'll have to call the Apple Store and find out. I'll post back what I can figure out, but in the meantime, does anyone know if their repairs are as quick as they're said to be? Thanks,
-BMF

- Collapse -
Hmm... Apple employee said that if
Dec 5, 2007 10:37AM PST

the Genius said it would ship Monday, it did. The guy on the phone said that either the site hasn't been updated like I thought or that it's still shipping to the depot, which is kind of odd, but a likely story. Unless it has already arrived, I don't think I'll be seeing it anytime soon, like the Friday that I've hoped for.

Sniff... oh I how I miss it so. Sad LOL. Come on Apple, let's update the site and see what's up with the repairs... please.
I still would like to know if anyone knows about how good their repair service really is, if anyone knows. Thanks again,
-BMF

- Collapse -
Any particular, technical reason
Dec 5, 2007 8:46PM PST

why the G4 does not have an internet connection?

Just curious


P

- Collapse -
Stupid story, but a true one.
Dec 6, 2007 7:04AM PST

Basically, the G4 had or needs the original AirPort Card for internet, which I do not have. I'm guessing the previous owner used Ethernet or removed the card. Also, the room I use it in has to have all of my recording gear and instruments, which is close to my router, but a bathroom is connecting these two rooms together.
I don't want to run cables through a bathroom. Pretty self-explanatory. I'm looking into ordering another modem for it, since it sits right under a phone port.

I got a call today saying that the laptop repairs were completed and that it will or is shipping back to the store. All right. They need to maintain the support site better. Hopefully, the repairs will work. We shall see.
-BMF

- Collapse -
G4
Dec 6, 2007 8:36AM PST

As a short term measure you can tell the folks to watch where they are walking. The cable itself will not have a problem running through the bathroom.

As to the modem idea, if you are talking DSL and the line has the same number as the one that the other DSL router (if fitted) is using, then this idea is not going to work.

You can only have one modem on one phone line.

P

- Collapse -
From what I've been told, I could run it
Dec 6, 2007 10:41AM PST

with a second modem, but I really don't know. My only useful alternative is to run the cable through the attic and drop it down from the ceiling. I've got a friend who can help out with that. Or I could find an AirPort Card or an external USB adapter that will actually work on the G4, but we'll see. Those tend to cost a bit over $50 from where I've looked.

Ah... the troubles of using non-wireless technology. LOL.
-BMF

- Collapse -
Ahhhhh!!! I went to pick it up today,
Dec 7, 2007 7:20AM PST

and as if it had to be this way, they didn't fix it completely. The bottom casing was not replaced like I asked them to. They replaced the top casing, but in the process, this worsened the tearing in the bottom casing, making a huge gap between the button and the laptop's upper casing. That's another week I have to wait... and now I'm told I'll have to get a third-party, authorized tech to install a larger HD in it for me. At least the Genius I talked to today said more RAM could be installed in store. A 320GB HD and 3GB of RAM would complement my 2.16Ghz chip nicely, but I wonder if swapping a 1GB stick for a 2GB stick will give me some odd performance. I heard that having uneven amounts of RAM in different sticks doesn't work as well as an identical pair.

Why did it have to come back on a Friday? Why couldn't it come back on another weekday where it could be shipped out the next day. I have to wait another weekend for it, plus the rest of the upcoming week... I'm becoming very disappointed with their techs and support. How hard is it to swap the case? Hard indeed for them, since the "person who worked on it last time has to do it again". Ridiculous claim.

Apple, your products own everything, but the stores need improvements, Steve.
-BMF