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View Full Version : iMac hard drive replacement. Does it void the warranty?



ltldrummerboy
Jan 23, 2009, 04:23 PM
I recently bought a used current generation base model iMac. The hard drive is only a 250GB and I would like to upgrade it to at least 500. I called AppleCare to ask if it would void the warranty if I opened it up to install it myself (I live 2000 miles from the nearest Apple store). The person I talked to said it would void the warranty if I opened it up. I asked him three times if he was sure and he said he was 100% positive it would void the warranty.

I was under the impression that there was an FCC regulation that said a consumer must be able to access the hard drive in a computer without voiding the warranty. I understand that if I break something in the process it's not covered, but I thought I could perform the task and keep my warranty.

Does anyone know the truth about this matter? I couldn't find the regulation so I'm waiting to put the hard drive in.


angemon89
Jan 23, 2009, 06:11 PM
I have always heard that replacing the HD in an iMac will void the warranty. Never heard of that thing about the FCC before.
kid rock
Jan 23, 2009, 06:27 PM
your best bet is to email apple and get them to reply IN WRITING then you can do it and if they moan you have proof they said it was ok,

one thing i would recommend is to fit the biggest hdd in there you can afford, as trust me it isn't easy to change the HDD and you wont be wanting to do it twice,

Also be VERY careful when you do it (plus changing the hdd to somthing v.big makes it v.easy to sell if you ever want to)

simon
bizzle
Jan 23, 2009, 06:37 PM
Read the warranty terms very closely. It DOES void the warranty because it's considered unauthorized modification. I don't even see how the FCC would have anything to do with a hard drive in a computer.
ltldrummerboy
Jan 23, 2009, 06:46 PM
OK, FCC probably wasn't right. But is putting a new hard drive in really unauthorized modification?
bizzle
Jan 23, 2009, 06:47 PM
OK, FCC probably wasn't right. But is putting a new hard drive in really unauthorized modification?
Yes, it's not user accessible. Just buy a firewire external drive. Is it really worth it?
angemon89
Jan 23, 2009, 07:14 PM
I can answer that: NO

I BTO'd my base iMac with 500GB because I knew one day I would be in the same predicament as the OP.