Brand New Piece of **** Mac Mini is Dying

[paintballer]

Well I'm really pissed off right now because I was sitting in my room next to my piece of **** Mac Mini that I havn't even had for a month and the screen just goes blank all of the suden. So I go over to it and it starts making noises that sound like a CD spinning in the drive (there isn't a CD in). So I can't get it to do anything so I shut it off and let it sit for 5 minutes turn it back on and sign in just for it to log me off and take me back to the log in screen. I was really pissed and about to throw the piece of **** out a window so I just left it alone for an hour or two. Turned it back on and everything seemed to work and then a few hours later I was listening to some of my music on it and I paused it and went to eat dinner and when I came back 5 minutes later the screen was black again. Then it made the start up sound and the screen turned white so I thought it was restarting itself but it just sat there and kept making the start up sound. This is similar to what happened to a previous PC I had when its power supply died. But its a brand new ****ing computer and it shouldn't have problems in less than a month. Macs are supposed to be such good quality but I've never had a damn PC that has had something like this happen in less than a month. I love the OS and can't stand to be on Windows just to type this after being used to Mac but if they have such ****** hardware then I'm just going to have to run Linux or something. So does anyone have a solution to this because if I have to take a brand new computer to the Apple store then I'm gonna be severly pissed off.

[swiftaw]

It is impossible to mass produce anything and have a 0% defect rate and still be affordable. Calm down, call applecare (or go to a store) and get a replacement.

[Chundles]

Well I'm really pissed off right now because I was sitting in my room next to my piece of **** Mac Mini that I havn't even had for a month and the screen just goes blank all of the suden. So I go over to it and it starts making noises that sound like a CD spinning in the drive (there isn't a CD in). So I can't get it to do anything so I shut it off and let it sit for 5 minutes turn it back on and sign in just for it to log me off and take me back to the log in screen. I was really pissed and about to throw the piece of **** out a window so I just left it alone for an hour or two. Turned it back on and everything seemed to work and then a few hours later I was listening to some of my music on it and I paused it and went to eat dinner and when I came back 5 minutes later the screen was black again. Then it made the start up sound and the screen turned white so I thought it was restarting itself but it just sat there and kept making the start up sound. This is similar to what happened to a previous PC I had when its power supply died. But its a brand new ****ing computer and it shouldn't have problems in less than a month. Macs are supposed to be such good quality but I've never had a damn PC that has had something like this happen in less than a month. I love the OS and can't stand to be on Windows just to type this after being used to Mac but if they have such ****** hardware then I'm just going to have to run Linux or something. So does anyone have a solution to this because if I have to take a brand new computer to the Apple store then I'm gonna be severly pissed off.

warranty |?wôr?nt?; ?wä-| noun ( pl. -ties) a written guarantee, issued to the purchaser of an article by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary within a specified period of time : the car comes with a three-year warranty | as your machine is under warranty, I suggest getting it checked.

• (in contract law) a promise that something in furtherance of the contract is guaranteed by one of the contractors, esp. the seller’s promise that the thing being sold is as promised or represented.

• (in an insurance contract) an engagement by the insured party that certain statements are true or that certain conditions shall be fulfilled, the breach of it invalidating the policy.

• (in property law) a covenant by which the seller binds themselves and their heirs to secure to the buyer the estate conveyed in the deed.

• (in contract law) a term or promise in a contract, breach of which entitles the innocent party to damages but not to treat the contract as discharged by breach.

• [usu. with negative ] archaic justification or grounds for an action or belief : you have no warranty for such an audacious doctrine.

ORIGIN Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French warantie, variant of garantie (see guaranty ). Early use was as a legal term denoting a covenant annexed to a conveyance of property, in which the vendor affirmed the security of the title.USAGE See usage at warrantee .

Thesaurus
warranty noun a three-year warranty guarantee, assurance, promise, covenant, commitment, agreement.


Just because it's brand new doesn't mean the hardware inside is going to be perfect - in fact, within the first few months of usage is when you're most likely to see problems.

That's why you have a warranty so calm down, take a chill pill and give Apple a call.

[Dont Hurt Me]

Time for Applecare, sounds like maybe a graphics problem or power supply. or you could throw it out the window but if you do that video it for us would you?

[paintballer]

Well since mine isn't stock I can't just get a replacment and they will either have to work on it or have to send me another one. Both will take quite a while. Besides there is only one Applestore in this ****hole I live in and its almost two hours away.

[yojitani]

sounds like getting on the blower to apple wouldn't hurt. It sounds like a sleep issue.. which could be hardware, but it could also be other things. Have you checked to make sure the firmware is up to date? Have you done a hardware test? If it's not a hardware issue, I would recommend doing a clean install of your system. It could just be a bum installation (but this is something to do if you can't work anything else out). I would not in this instance recommend an archive and install because oftentimes when there's an issue like this, overwriting the whole system works best.

Before getting too upset, make sure it's not a simple problem you couldn't solve yourself. Don't jump to conclusions without running a few tests first.

YT

[SMM]

Well since mine isn't stock I can't just get a replacment and they will either have to work on it or have to send me another one. Both will take quite a while. Besides there is only one Applestore in this ****hole I live in and its almost two hours away.

What do you mean it is not stock?

[desenso]

Haha.... funny post (I assume you wrote it as a joke)

[paintballer]

What do you mean it is not stock?

It's build to order. It has 1GB RAM and 80GB HDD rather than the stock 512MB RAM and 60GB HDD. And no its not a joke.

[bbarnhart]

It's disappointing and frustrating when hardware fails. Although, your Mac Mini is a custom build it is fortunate that it is under warranty. Please call Apple and find out about the available repair options. Please let us know how Apple responds.

If Apple's resolution unacceptable, calmly restate your case to the representative and see if there is another option. Sorry about your Mac Mini. I hope your issue is resolved quickly.

[Lord Blackadder]

It seems you've got a hardware problem. Out of the 6 computers I've bought in the last 15 years, one of them turned out to be a "lemon". It happens. It sucks - but it happens. From Apple's website:

All new Apple hardware products, including clearance and refurbished products, carry a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

If you are having a problem, this warranty should cover it. Yes, it is inconvenient to mail the machine away, but any and every computer manufacturer would do the same. Apple will repair this machine for you, or possibly replace it.

Just calm down; Apple doesn't generally make **** hardware (you just got unlucky), and if you want to go and "run to Linux or something" please proceed, we don't need a status report. :rolleyes:

[ladysoverignXP]

:) My Micronpc board kept resetting like that, try resetting the BIOS(If Mm Has One...)

[mac-convert]

warranty |?wôr?nt?; ?wä-| noun ( pl. -ties) a written guarantee, issued to the purchaser of an article by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary within a specified period of time : the car comes with a three-year warranty | as your machine is under warranty, I suggest getting it checked.

<snip...>

That's why you have a warranty so calm down, take a chill pill and give Apple a call.

Chundles - my hat is off to you,
and here's to you for that post
(as mac-convert takes a sip of a good 10-yr old single malt)! :D :D :D

[aristobrat]

Which is only 4 years younger than the OP. ;)

[paintballer]

Well I repaired disc permissions though I don't know if that will help in this case. It seems the only time it does this is when the screensaver is on.

[yojitani]

Well I repaired disc permissions though I don't know if that will help in this case. It seems the only time it does this is when the screensaver is on.

I doubt it. ... call Apple. If it's only a month old, you have telephone support too. You could try fsck-ing it (zap the pram), but I doubt that that is the issue... did you try the hardware test (it's either a separate disk 'hardware test' or it's part of the installation disk - just don't reinstall anything yet!)

yt

[oceanmonster]

Get the box receipt and stuff together and bring it into an apple store. They will diagnose it and hand you a new one to go. I'd spent the next few hour backing up data if you can.

[paintballer]

I did the hardware test and it said everything was good so I checked perform extensive testing and tried and now it says its testing memory but I believe it is frozen. It has said testing memory for about 5 minutes and my mouse and keyboard no longer do anything so I'm pretty sure that its frozen but I'll let it sit for a bit longer just to make sure. And as I said before it is a build to order so they won't just hand me a new one.

[LittleJoe]

And as I said before it is a build to order so they won't just hand me a new one.

What's the big hurry?

Anyway... if you go into an Apple store cursing and with an attitude, I'd bet money that after you leave the store they are going to name you jackass of the day and put your mini on a shelf for a few days before they send it.

Just go in, tell them what the problem is, CALMLY, they will look at it and do a couple tests, and within 15 mins they will hand you a paper telling you to come pick up the new one in (im guessing) a week.

It's not a big deal. At least you dont have to call someone in India and have them tell you to restart your modem 30 times.

[paintballer]

I restarted it and tried the hardware test again only to have it freeze in the same spot as before. And if I went to the Apple Store I wouldn't be yelling at them because its not their fault that this happened. The reason I don't want to go to the Apple Store is because I don't feel like driving for 8 hours or waiting a week or longer to get my Mac back. I don't know if I could go that long using Windows.

[yojitani]

I restarted it and tried the hardware test again only to have it freeze in the same spot as before. And if I went to the Apple Store I wouldn't be yelling at them because its not their fault that this happened. The reason I don't want to go to the Apple Store is because I don't feel like driving for 8 hours or waiting a week or longer to get my Mac back. I don't know if I could go that long using Windows.

umm... are you sure it's frozen? if you are doing a deeper check, it's going to take longer. Just leave it for a while. Especially ram. memtests can go on for quite a while. I mean, if it's not doing anything for an hour, then it's likely frozen.. but I know it hasn't been an hour!!

Slow down! Clear your mind!Breathe!:D

YT

[paintballer]

Well I'm pretty sure it was frozen because the mouse and keyboard didn't work and I let it sit for half an hour and it says it will only take 5-10 minutes.

[Lord Blackadder]

It may be something ridiculously simple, like a loose connector or a badly seated DIMM...so hang in there. Apple is usually quick with shipping repairs.

[paintballer]

Well I'm gonna try everything I can to get it working right before taking it in to Apple.

[wwooden]

I bet if you called Apple and they said they would fix your computer that it wouldn't be gone more than a few days. I had a harddrive go back in a PowerBook, called them monday, they send the box tuesday and I shipped it out that day. I got my computer back thursday so I was was without my computer for 48 hours. They really are pretty quick when it comes to some repairs.

[pseudobrit]

I restarted it and tried the hardware test again only to have it freeze in the same spot as before. And if I went to the Apple Store I wouldn't be yelling at them because its not their fault that this happened. The reason I don't want to go to the Apple Store is because I don't feel like driving for 8 hours or waiting a week or longer to get my Mac back.

Call Applecare. They'll send a box, they pick it up and two or three days later your machine is back.

What exactly do you use this machine for that you cannot be without it for a few days? It's not like you bought enterprise hardware here.

I don't know if I could go that long using Windows.

Oh. What did you do before you got the mini?

[paintballer]

Oh. What did you do before you got the mini?

Well that was before I had used OS X. Once you get used to having such and excellent OS its hard to go back.

[paintballer]

Well the screensaver came on and about 10 minutes after it came on a screen came up on top of the screensaver and it said you need to restart your computer, hold down the power button or press the restart button.

[ktbubster]

I bet if you called Apple and they said they would fix your computer that it wouldn't be gone more than a few days. I had a harddrive go back in a PowerBook, called them monday, they send the box tuesday and I shipped it out that day. I got my computer back thursday so I was was without my computer for 48 hours. They really are pretty quick when it comes to some repairs.

I've had things go even faster. I sent my powerbook in last year because the hinges broke and I was having hardware issues. Well they sent me the box to mail it in, I had it the next afternoon and sent it out around 3pm thinking i would have to wait a week for my computer. Well, I don't know if i lucked out or how it happened but literally the next day at 6pm I had my computer back. This was when it went through DHL, so it mighta been quicker, but I am pretty sure you won't have your computer gone for more then 24-48 hours. Apple is crazy.

Infact, they took 6 days on my dad's computer 2 years ago to replace the harddrive and do other stuff and because they "took so long" and there was "more to fix then they anticipated" they sent it back with an extra 512mb of ram for free because of the inconvenience of being computerless so long.

[simontarr]

TOTALLY unrellated (well unreallted company wise..) but when my Xbox disc drive failed, I sent it in the morning before went to college and it was back on my doorstep the same day when I got home (fixed!!) To this day I have no idea how they done that.

[yojitani]

Well the screensaver came on and about 10 minutes after it came on a screen came up on top of the screensaver and it said you need to restart your computer, hold down the power button or press the restart button.

I don't think it's a ram issue since you are not experiencing kernal panics, however since you say that the hardware diagnostics stop at the ram checking phase (as I remember, you aren't supposed to be messing around with the keyboard and mouse during the hardware diagnostics but anyway...), check out rember (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/24508)
and see if it brings up any errors with the ram.
While it could be a graphics card problem, I would imagine that if the graphics were bad you would experience trouble in other situations aside from waking from sleep. I'm guessing this is a solvable problem. Also, it wouldn't hurt to zap your pram (check out the MR guides for this).

Oh, one other suggestion, in your system prefs under energy saver uncheck "put the hd to sleep when possible" and slide 'put the computer to sleep...' to "never".

YT

[paintballer]

Well do you think I should try reinstalling the OS? I don't know what else I can do. If I take it to the Apple Store it probably wouldn't happen for a few days so I'll try to fix it myself.

[Macky-Mac]

Well do you think I should try reinstalling the OS? I don't know what else I can do. If I take it to the Apple Store it probably wouldn't happen for a few days so I'll try to fix it myself.

have you called applecare? they do try to help you fix it before telling you to take it in for repairs.

[paintballer]

Well I did a clean install and I havn't had any problems since so hopefully that took care of the problem. If I have any other problems I will just take it in to the Apple Store. Thanks for the help.

[wizzerandchips]

Phewww, thank the lord, it was gettin intense i here.:D

[paintballer]

Well it happened again and I won't be able to take it in until the weekend so let me know if you have any suggestions on how to fix it. Also if I do have to take it in to the Apple Store what do I have to take with me? Do I just have to take the Mac or do I have to take the box and all the cables and everything?

[TequilaBoobs]

i would throw it out the window and send the pieces to steve jobs.

[paintballer]

i would throw it out the window and send the pieces to steve jobs.

Well thanks alot that was extremely helpful. :rolleyes:

[TequilaBoobs]

Well thanks alot that was extremely helpful. :rolleyes:

honestly,
isn't that wat you really want to do?

[killmoms]

Well it happened again and I won't be able to take it in until the weekend so let me know if you have any suggestions on how to fix it. Also if I do have to take it in to the Apple Store what do I have to take with me? Do I just have to take the Mac or do I have to take the box and all the cables and everything?

Why don't you just call Apple? They'll send you a box, you put your mini in it, and it comes back a few days later fixed. Much easier than going to a store. You don't even have to pay shipping.

[TraceyS/FL]

My Advice - call.

IF you have never called - you don't know they are HELPFUL. Sure they have sheets of stuff they must try, but then you get a case number.

So when you walk into the store - everything is there, you don't have to repeat what you did on the phone.

If it happens again - call! The best advice I can give you. Oh, and the $99 for Pro Care was worth it... even though it took a day longer than it was supposed to, I got things fixed quicker than without it.

So, CALL next time!

[aristobrat]

Why don't you just call Apple? They'll send you a box, you put your mini in it, and it comes back a few days later fixed. Much easier than going to a store. You don't even have to pay shipping.
That's what I'd do if I were the OP.

[paintballer]

Well I don't really trust sending things like that throught the mail where it can easiliy be damaged, stolen, or lost. And I doubt the people you talk to when you call know much. They probably just have the same stuff that is on apples support page which I have already searched through.

[mduser63]

paintballer, where do you live? You don't have to go to the Apple Store in Salt Lake necessarily. I don't know where you are, but there's a MacDocs in Orem I think, and Expercom in Logan. Seems like there's a Mac shop in Ogden too but I can't remember for sure. Anyway, any authorized Apple reseller can arrange/do warranty repairs. What do you think people did before the Apple Store opened here a year ago? Before that, the nearest Apple Store was in Las Vegas.

[killmoms]

Well I don't really trust sending things like that throught the mail where it can easiliy be damaged, stolen, or lost. And I doubt the people you talk to when you call know much. They probably just have the same stuff that is on apples support page which I have already searched through.

I have sent my PowerBook to Apple 3 times, and each time it has come back perfectly. They send a very sturdy box with plenty of padding. I wouldn't worry about damage in the mail.

EDIT: The first two trips, within the first year, were two days, each. Sent on a Tuesday, back on a Thursday. Third was right at the end of my warranty, and took longer since they had to back-order the screen part. That one was also complicated by the fact that I was moving to California at the time. But yeah, AppleCare is really responsive until you get to the end of your warranty and they have to back-order your old-ass parts. :P

[rickvanr]

Quit being stubborn and thick. Call AppleCare. Get them to exhaust the options of repair over the phone. Get them to send out an empty box, put your mini in it, and patiently wait for the repaired/new mini to come back quickly.

Heck, if you would have been smart, and called AppleCare immediately when the problem started you'd probably have your machine back by the end of this week. If it even needed to be sent away at all in the first place.

[paintballer]

Well according to Apples website the only place that is authorized to do repairs and is closer than the Apple Store is Expercom and it is only 3 miles closer so that won't make much of a difference.

[killmoms]

Well according to Apples website the only place that is authorized to do repairs and is closer than the Apple Store is Expercom and it is only 3 miles closer so that won't make much of a difference.

We're not talking about any place you drive to, we're talking about their mail-in service. Geez. Trying to communicate with you is like talking to a brick wall. :rolleyes:

[chasemac]

From reading your other posts about it freezing up during the memory check it sounds like faulty RAM.:apple:

[paintballer]

We're not talking about any place you drive to, we're talking about their mail-in service. Geez. Trying to communicate with you is like talking to a brick wall. :rolleyes:

I was replying to mduser63. And if I send it in do I have to send the cables, packaging and everything or do I just send the Mac itself?

[rickvanr]

I was replying to mduser63. And if I send it in do I have to send the cables, packaging and everything or do I just send the Mac itself?

How hard is it to do something on your own?

You send in what they tell you to send in. Now quit being a tool and pick up the phone.

[paintballer]

How hard is it to do something on your own?

You send in what they tell you to send in. Now quit being a tool and pick up the phone.

Well sorry, I was just looking for a little help.

[killmoms]

Well sorry, I was just looking for a little help.

Our point is that all these questions would be answered by Apple in the instructions they send or by the person on the phone. It's just silly for you to keep asking here. :confused: Get on the phone and get it fixed already. :)

[bbarnhart]

It is fine asking for help here. I ask questions all the time. You've asked your question and 15 people have told you to call Apple.

Call Apple. Nothing else we can do. The box will have instructions. Good luck

[TequilaBoobs]

i wont tell you to call apple because 16 people have already told you to.

i suggest finding a cadre of competent lawyers and take apple to court and sue their ass for taking your hard earned money and in return you get grief and heartache.

[Sun Baked]

I think this thread just severely affected your Mac karma rating, which likely means Apple will be sending you dud machines for the rest of your life.

Enjoy ...

[paintballer]

Well I called Apple and they wern't much help. I had to wait for a half hour on hold and all the stupid guy told me was that it was definetly a hardware failure and it is probably the memory or logic board. He also said that you can't send it in to them unless you have the extended warranty because the one that comes with it doesn't cover any of that and he said even if it did they only do that on laptops. Then he spent forever trying to get me to buy the extended warranty after I told him I didn't want it. So I still have to drive to Salt Lake to take it to the damn Apple Store. So just as I thought the stupid *******s at Apple wern't very helpful.

[coffey7]

I don't blame you for being mad. I would be really mad if that happened to me. My first apple computer is running fine and its been almost a year. You mean you called apple and they couldn't help you. Man I would be pissed off. Why would they not fix it if its only a month old. I thinks its lame they want you to buy an overpriced warranty.

[paintballer]

I know its probably a rare occurance that stuff like this happens to Macs but what really pisses me off is that all these people here tell me that I can just send it in and then I call them and the guy tells me that I have to drive to the Apple Store and only tells me obvious things and tries to sell me Applecare.

[ChrisA]

I did the hardware test and it said everything was good so I checked perform extensive testing and tried and now it says its testing memory but I believe it is frozen. It has said testing memory for about 5 minutes and my mouse and keyboard no longer do anything so I'm pretty sure that its frozen but I'll let it sit for a bit longer just to make sure. And as I said before it is a build to order so they won't just hand me a new one.

A full memory test can take a LOT longer then 5 minutes, possibly hours depending on the test.

[ChrisA]

I was replying to mduser63. And if I send it in do I have to send the cables, packaging and everything or do I just send the Mac itself?

Along with the box will come instructions.

[paintballer]

A full memory test can take a LOT longer then 5 minutes, possibly hours depending on the test.

Well then why would it say that it will take 5-10 minutes? And I know it was froze because the mouse and keyboard didn't work either. But there is obviously something wrong with the hardware so that doesn't really matter right now. And you are a little late on your response saying that the box will come with instructions when I already said they arn't sending me a box. Also does anyone know about how long it will take for them to replace the logic board? Do they even replace the logic board or do they just give me a new computer?

[bbarnhart]

Where did you buy your Mac Mini?

[paintballer]

Where did you buy your Mac Mini?

Applestore.com

[mduser63]

Well I called Apple and they wern't much help. I had to wait for a half hour on hold and all the stupid guy told me was that it was definetly a hardware failure and it is probably the memory or logic board. He also said that you can't send it in to them unless you have the extended warranty because the one that comes with it doesn't cover any of that and he said even if it did they only do that on laptops. Then he spent forever trying to get me to buy the extended warranty after I told him I didn't want it. So I still have to drive to Salt Lake to take it to the damn Apple Store. So just as I thought the stupid *******s at Apple wern't very helpful.

You still didn't say where you live. MacDocs is a an authorized Apple Repair shop. If you're in Utah County, then it's going to be closer.

[paintballer]

You still didn't say where you live. MacDocs is a an authorized Apple Repair shop. If you're in Utah County, then it's going to be closer.

I'm not going to say where I live but MacDocs is farther away than the Apple Store.

[Stadsport]

First of all, if your previous computer died from similar causes, it's very possible the electrical in your house is bad. In my bedroom, all of the outlets have a tendency to kill hard drives after a couple of weeks. I got a UPS and it's been gravy since. If you continue to experience these problems, I would recommend you do the same.

Second, quit your bitching and take it to the Apple Store.

[paintballer]

First of all, if your previous computer died from similar causes, it's very possible the electrical in your house is bad. In my bedroom, all of the outlets have a tendency to kill hard drives after a couple of weeks. I got a UPS and it's been gravy since. If you continue to experience these problems, I would recommend you do the same.

Second, quit your bitching and take it to the Apple Store.

Well I think this is the logic board and the problem on my other computer was the power supply so I don't think its anything to do with my house. And I'm not "bitching" I'm trying to solve a problem and if your gonna be a dick then just don't post.

[mac-convert]

Well I think this is the logic board and the problem on my other computer was the power supply so I don't think its anything to do with my house. And I'm not "bitching" I'm trying to solve a problem and if your gonna be a dick then just don't post.

You have spent three days and about 2 dozen posts about this problem you are trying to solve. The box could have been on it's way to Apple by now. Why don't you just send it, let them determine what's wrong, and let them fix it - before this thread sends itself to the dump...

[paintballer]

You have spent three days and about 2 dozen posts about this problem you are trying to solve. The box could have been on it's way to Apple by now. Why don't you just send it, let them determine what's wrong, and let them fix it - before this thread sends itself to the dump...

Have you even read my posts? I called Apple and they said that they only do that on laptops and you have to have the extended warranty too. So its kinda hard to send it in when they won't send me a box.

[yojitani]

Have you even read my posts? I called Apple and they said that they only do that on laptops and you have to have the extended warranty too. So its kinda hard to send it in when they won't send me a box.

I'd be pretty angry if I were in your shoes too. I don't think that guy had his facts right. As far as I remember, if an apple store or authorized repair place is beyond xx distance away, they will have you send it in. Call again, save the hassle of the rep telling you what you already know and tell them that you've already confirmed there' a hardware problem. Then, as is suggested all the time, calmly but firmly explain that you can't take the machine in because of the distance.
Also, if I were you, I'd pour over the warranty that covers the computer and throw any of that you can at them as well. Telephone service around the world is the same: if you know more than them, you'll have the better argument - you'll at least get a manager!
Too bad you're having this problem. Apple's rep with customer service is all show anyway. They're as crappy as the next corporation... But they do make good computers...usually!

YT

BTW: If anyone's been in touch with apple recently, they really do push the extended warranty - they're way over the top with it too. I even got 3 separate calls from apple trying to sell it to me just because I let it slip during a conversation about another computer that I had recently purchased a macbook.

[paintballer]

I'd be pretty angry if I were in your shoes too. I don't think that guy had his facts right. As far as I remember, if an apple store or authorized repair place is beyond xx distance away, they will have you send it in. Call again, save the hassle of the rep telling you what you already know and tell them that you've already confirmed there' a hardware problem. Then, as is suggested all the time, calmly but firmly explain that you can't take the machine in because of the distance.
Also, if I were you, I'd pour over the warranty that covers the computer and throw any of that you can at them as well. Telephone service around the world is the same: if you know more than them, you'll have the better argument - you'll at least get a manager!
Too bad you're having this problem. Apple's rep with customer service is all show anyway. They're as crappy as the next corporation... But they do make good computers...usually!

YT

BTW: If anyone's been in touch with apple recently, they really do push the extended warranty - they're way over the top with it too. I even got 3 separate calls from apple trying to sell it to me just because I let it slip during a conversation about another computer that I had recently purchased a macbook.

I'm not gonna call them again just so I can wait on hold for another half hour and have them tell me the same thing as the last guy. And I was just unhooking my Mac and puting geting it ready to take to the Apple Store (I will take it tommorrow if I get a chance) I noticed something that seemed odd. On the sticker on the outside of the box it says assembled in the USA but on the bottom of my Mac it says assembled in China. So does the sticker on the box just mean the box was assembled in the USA and the Mac itself was assembled in China? It was probably a little kid from China that they pay $0.18/hour that screwed up my Mac.

[California]

Just get the plastic thingie and pop out the memory. You can do this without voiding the warranty.

Heck I dropped my nearly new mini yesterday and had to reseat the casing today. NOT A BIG DEAL.

I'll bet it's bad ram.

I bought a TIbook off someone a few months ago, had a gig of ram in it (meaning two 512 sticks) and the thing did the same thing your mini is doing, shutting down, acting weird.

I bought it for 175. Turns out one stick of ram was bad. You could see the bad gold connector tooth. It had a lifetime warranty, so I got it replaced. That stick of ram was worth 100 bucks new, and then the computer worked fine.

Take that mini apart and pull the ram yourself. I don't think it voids the warranty. While you are at it, dump 2 gigs of ram in there. I'm jealous that you can have two gigs in your intel mini. My PPC mini only maxes out at 1 gig.

P.S. I reread some of the last posts... you have 90 days extended applecare as far as I know. Call the Applestore, not Apple and talk to them. I guess in LA I am extremely lucky, I have so many mac guys around me I don't know what to do. I can walk to the closest Apple dealer (if i had to).

[Bill Gates]

This thread really ought to be closed. It is blatently obvious that there is nothing further that anyone can do, and that the OP merely needs to speak to Apple, or have his mom do it for him, and have it sent in for warranty service. The technician at Apple was wrong, which does happen, and it should be covered under the standard 1 year warranty. By the way, from past experience, getting angry at the person on the other end of the phone does little to help your case and should only be used as a last resort. With that token of advice I'll send you on your way.

[iancapable]

Well since mine isn't stock I can't just get a replacment and they will either have to work on it or have to send me another one. Both will take quite a while. Besides there is only one Applestore in this ****hole I live in and its almost two hours away.

Why not call apple, order a new one and then send the one you have back for a refund, that would better the turnaround?

[Counterfit]

They will diagnose it and hand you a new one to go.

Not if it's a BTO machine.

[aristobrat]

This thread really ought to be closed. It is blatently obvious that there is nothing further that anyone can do, and that the OP merely needs to speak to Apple, or have his mom do it for him, and have it sent in for warranty service. The technician at Apple was wrong, which does happen, and it should be covered under the standard 1 year warranty. By the way, from past experience, getting angry at the person on the other end of the phone does little to help your case and should only be used as a last resort. With that token of advice I'll send you on your way.
Amen, brother - on all four of your points.

[paintballer]

Well I took it in like the guy told me to on the phone. I walk in there and they said that the guy was supposed to set up an appointment for me which he didn't but the people there were really nice and they worked on my Mac in between other customers. The guy was very knowledgeable but he still couldn't fix it so he said that they'll work on it and it should be done in 5-7 days. I also asked him about sending them in and he said that they only do that on notebooks because they send the notebooks to a different location to be worked on and they ship it directly to and from that location but they work on the desktops there at the Apple Store. But I'm worried that they sent me a refurbished Mac because when I asked him if he knew why there was two different locations that it said it was made in and he looked me up on the computer and said "its refurbished isn't it" and I said no its supposed to be new and he lucked at his computer with a puzzled look and said "oh...umm...ok" as if the computer was telling him that mine was refurbished. After that he avoided talking about that topic the rest of the time. But thanks for all your help.