Apple to give me new computer

[e-coli]

So, here's the situation:

I have a Rev A. DP 500, and it crashes and eats hard drives like crazy. It's been into the shop for applecare service for two straight months. It's had the hard drive replaced (3 times), and the power supply replaced. The techs insist that everything checks out okay (processors, logic board, etc). But it still crashes like mad. Even with only a clean install of jaguar on it, no apps. Now nobody can figure out what the problem is.

So, my question is, at what point does Apple just give you a new computer? And would they give me a dual processor since I currently own a dual?

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by e-coli
So, here's the situation:

I have a Rev A. DP 500, and it crashes and eats hard drives like crazy. It's been into the shop for applecare service for two straight months. It's had the hard drive replaced (3 times), and the power supply replaced. The techs insist that everything checks out okay (processors, logic board, etc). But it still crashes like mad. Even with only a clean install of jaguar on it, no apps. Now nobody can figure out what the problem is.

So, my question is, at what point does Apple just give you a new computer? And would they give me a dual processor since I currently own a dual?

Sounds to me that some sort of Lemon Law should cover this. If what you are saying I would think they owe you a new computer already.

[Spock]

Sounds like you have a falty Heatsink same thing happened to me. I found out my heatsink was barley working at all, and the tech's told me it was fine.

[strider42]

Originally posted by e-coli

So, my question is, at what point does Apple just give you a new computer? And would they give me a dual processor since I currently own a dual?

usually apple puts the machine in the shop 3 times before offering a replacement. if they haven't yet, you should call customer service and ask them to and see what they say. I assume you got a case number from apple when you first took it in since these are warranty repairs.

[Choppaface]

is it still under warranty? if not and you've replaced the power supply, then you've prolly spend enough $$ on repair parts to deserve a new comp he he :D

[Chaszmyr]

My dad has similar problems... He has a TiBook... he has had it sent in for repairs 4 or 5 times, they have changed the DVD-ROM twice, the casing once, the motherboard once, and the PSU once... but they arent giving him a new computer

[strider42]

Originally posted by Chaszmyr
My dad has similar problems... He has a TiBook... he has had it sent in for repairs 4 or 5 times, they have changed the DVD-ROM twice, the casing once, the motherboard once, and the PSU once... but they arent giving him a new computer

in cases like that you should call customer service. apple's general policy is three times in the shop. B epersistent, but polite and you'll probably get a new computer.

[e-coli]

yes, unfortunately it's not the heatsink. the computer never lasts long enough to get hot. usually it lasts about 5 minutes before it panics. sometimes 10 - 15 minutes, but usually only 5 minutes...

it seems to me that it's hardly enough time to falter.

anyway, thanks all. but do you think they'll give me a dual since that's what my computer is now?

[Rower_CPU]

Originally posted by e-coli
yes, unfortunately it's not the heatsink. the computer never lasts long enough to get hot. usually it lasts about 5 minutes before it panics. sometimes 10 - 15 minutes, but usually only 5 minutes...

it seems to me that it's hardly enough time to falter.

anyway, thanks all. but do you think they'll give me a dual since that's what my computer is now?

Yes, it's exactly the kind of thing that would indicate a faulty heatsink.

AMD chips running much faster than the Moto chips will fry in a matter of seconds if the heatsink/fan (HSF) is defective.

If your computer is overheating it will crash and lockup very randomly. Here's a question, though: does it run OK when booted from the CD (ie. when installing the OS)? If so, it's not the HSF...

[e-coli]

yeah. it's fine during install. never crashes.

but as soon as i reboot, and dink around for a few, kaploowey.

i'm stumped.

[Rower_CPU]

Very strange.

If it installs OK, it means it's not the CPU/logic board and the HD is fine too.

The only other thing I'm curious about is external devices...firewire, USB, SCSI...?

[e-coli]

nothing extra is connected when it fails. like i said, i get it back from the shop, turn it on, install jaguar, and reboot. that's when the problems start. never even enough time to hook externals up.

Rev A. 500 DP
Apple Pro Keyboard
Apple Pro Mouse
Apple CRT Studio Display (DVI)
Ethernet plugged into network (powerbook is plugged into same network, never crashed once).
Same Jaguar CD used on my TiBook install (so the CD is good)

[e-coli]

okay, so i'll tell you how i can replicate the problem 75% of the time.

open IE to MSNBC home page.

shift+option+4 to capture screen

open picture in preview (with IE still open)

try to export as JPEG (well, anything, really)

das bomb

[Rower_CPU]

That's...pretty random...

What are the crash symptoms...spontaneous reboot, freeze, kernel panic?

Also, you said it's "eating drives"...care to clarify?

[e-coli]

it's always a kernel panic. (at least it's prettier in Jaguar) ;)

i've had, now 4 hard drives in it. the first two clicked to death (a random thing that started while editing a spot in final cut pro)

then, i took it in, had the drive replaced (i just junked the other), and as soon as it started panics again, i took it back into the shop. they said the panics were due to my hard drive failing. (it was only 1 day old)

so, i just got it back today, and the same deal. same exact scenario, so i'm assuming it's my drive failing again. when i first turned it on today, i got the flashing question mark disk. i thought they simply hadn't installed a system...turns out they had. the drive died either as soon as they shut it down, or as soon as i turned it on. but it's now the 4th HD.

oh...i forgot to mention, they've replaced the front power button set and panel (it died, too)

[Sun Baked]

Do you have any noise filters on your power line?

[e-coli]

noise filter??? (not sure what that is)

it's plugged into a power strip. but it's one of 3 strips it's been plugged into, and one APS. i've had drive failures / panics on all the combos.

the first drive failed while i had the computer at my office (APS)

second drive died in my old studio (power strip 1)

now i moved it to my apartment, and it's eaten two drives (power strips 2 and 3)

[e-coli]

okay everybody. i'm going to call today to beg and plead for a new computer.

any ideas on how to best handle this?

[Rajj]

Originally posted by e-coli
okay everybody. i'm going to call today to beg and plead for a new computer.

any ideas on how to best handle this?

Don't beg.....DEMAND!!! a new computer!!!
Call and ask to speak to a supervisor;) don't let them bullshiitte you around!:D

[e-coli]

...you catch more flies with honey....

;)

[Choppaface]

might it be something in the case that's touching something else that it's not supposed to? like electicity getting in places it shouldn't?

[e-coli]

$F,REE

Dual 1GHz PowerPC G4
256K L2 cache
& 1MB L3 cache/processor
167MHz System Bus
512MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA drive
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro
56K internal modem


It's on its way. not a bad deal at all. :D
Thanks to all for your help / suggestions!

[vniow]

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=170612

[Mr. Anderson]

Wow, congrats, that's a nice free upgrade. Damn, I'm jealous........but good for you!

:D

D

[MacBandit]

That seems fair to me. The Dual500 you have now was probably the middle line when you bought it and they are replacing it with the new middle line. That's the way it should be.

[e-coli]

actually, it was the top of the line when i bought it (and REALLY expensive - zip drive, extra memory + SCSI card). But i'm not complaining one bit.

won't hear a peep from me.

;) :D

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by e-coli
actually, it was the top of the line when i bought it (and REALLY expensive - zip drive, extra memory + SCSI card). But i'm not complaining one bit.

won't hear a peep from me.

;) :D

So much for the zip drive unless they give you an external. I would have made an argument for them giving me the top line. I wouldn't have been harsh about it simply analytical and friendly.

[benixau]

Would someone remind me of how much a DP1000 is and then tell me why he should have pushed for more. Then tell me how much his DP500 will sell for now. Finally tell me how much faster it will be than his DP500.

Anyway, its better than if they gave you a refurbished DP500.

[MacBandit]

I don't know how the laws pertain to electronic devices such as this. With motorcycles the lemon laws basically say they either replace it with the a new bike of the same model. If that model/version is not being made anymore the newer model/version that is currently being sold.

In other words if he bought the high end model out of three versions he would be replaced by the high end model. Refurbished units are not considered new and would not be fair trade unless the customer accepted it in an offer. Model 1 will always be replaced by modle 1.x and model 2 will always be replaced by model 2.x. It has nothing to do with cost.

It really has nothing to do with the value of the old computer as compared to the value of the new computer. It's very similar in nature to replacement cost insurance. If my B/WG3 400 were to get stolen then the insurance company would look at it and ask me a few question. I would tell them that it was the middle of the line when purchased. They usually would not persue it any further at this point simply calling Apple and finding the value of an equal replacement middle line tower.

If he is perfectly happy with this then that's fine. I'm just stating what is right and fair.

[MacBandit]

Sorry this was a double post. It wouldn't let me delete it.