eMac Repair Extension Program Announced

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Apple has announced an eMac Repair Extension program for eMacs that were sold between April 2004 and June 2005 and are experiencing scrambled and/or distorted video, no video, or no power. Users who feel that their eMac may be affected by the issue can learn more about the program by visiting the program's site.

This issue was initially brought to light on various discussion boards and was highlighted in a page 2 story. A common issue with the affected Macs were bulging and cracked capacitors on the logic board.

[dornoforpyros]

good on ya apple.


now MR, who votes negative on something like this? really?

[yankeefan24]

has apple ever done something like this before?

this is good news!

[G5Unit]

Originally Posted by yankeefan24

has apple ever done something like this before?

this is good news!

Yeh. With MY iPod. I LOVE APPLE!

[lilstewart]

This is AWESOME news!

I know some people and my school who have problems with there eMacs.

Sweet.

[nagromme]

Originally Posted by yankeefan24

has apple ever done something like this before?

Yes Certain iBooks come to mind, and also I think some iMac G5s.

If Apple gets a batch of bad components, they often seem to make it right this way, even if technically the warranty doesn't require them to.

There's a reason Apple is rated in surveys as having the best support in the industry.

[ITASOR]

I can see it now....the "Yellow MacBook (white) Repair Extension Program".

[lilstewart]

LOL ITASOR!

have there been problems with them?

I haven't seen any threads...

[ITASOR]

Originally Posted by lilstewart

LOL ITASOR!

have there been problems with them?

I haven't seen any threads...

[bobber205]

Originally Posted by lilstewart

This is AWESOME news!

I know some people and my school who have problems with there eMacs.

Sweet.

My old high school had some troubles with video cards in several machines that were about 3 years old. My mentor had them sent in and fixed.

[w_parietti22]

Thats good news!
My (old) school has a bunch of eMacs. None of them have the problem yet though.

[~Shard~]

Great to see that Apple hasn't completely forgot about the eMac. I wonder if we'll ever see a revamped education solution utilizing the new Intel chips...

[pianoman181]

The school district I work in had received a shipment of 243 eMacs during that time period. They've been failing one by one by one, like clockwork. We reached an agreement with Apple and the we have been in the process of getting logic boards replaced by them for the past couple months (in batches of 20 as school was still in session) free of charge. It's good to see Apple is doing the right thing here for everybody now. There does seem to be two separate issues. These capacitor failures are not only causing garbled video but also completely random hard lockups.

[macEfan]

yeah, those all in one CRT macs get quite toasty inside.. Glad apple is doing something about it!

[Zygon Gambit]

Not quite so good from my point of view, as my serial number lies just outside the range they specify, and yet I've been having similar problems.

[dogbone]

Wow I feel I've won one of those scratch lotteries. I checked the serial number of one of our eMacs and it's a match, Yay.

But I haven't had any problems yet. What does this mean? should I get it checked anyway. Should I wait for it to fail. Are all computers covered by the serial numbers affected or only random ones withing the affected range?

What if I take it to get looked at and there's nothing wrong. Will I get charged?

[dhc]

This is good news. My son uses my old eMac which I bought within that time frame - not checked the serials yet, but neither have I had any problems..yet!
(infact, everytime I see the eMac on, I'm always amazed at that crisp CRT.)

[dogbone]

I like this question and answer...

If my eMac is still under warranty, how does this program affect me?

If your eMac is eligible for the program and within its warranty period, you will have your system repaired at no cost to you.

It's sort of like a Steven Wright joke. If I put a digital clock in a microwave oven will time run backwards. I mean they are asking what happens if it's covered under the program and also covered under warrantee. As if the two negatives cancel out and make a positive. If it's free under the program and also free under warrantee does that mean I might have to pay.

[jagolden]

Originally Posted by nagromme

Yes Certain iBooks come to mind, and also I think some iMac G5s.

If Apple gets a batch of bad components, they often seem to make it right this way, even if technically the warranty doesn't require them to.

There's a reason Apple is rated in surveys as having the best support in the industry.

Yeah, as long as you're dealing with an Apple Retail store and not the home office.
When my iMac G5 (liiterally in the first batch that came off the line) went bad (power and HD), the over-the-phone service was terrible. First, they tried to tell me I did not have an extended Apple Care warranty (I had the reciepts for purchase), That I needed to fax all to them and it would take 12 to 18 working days just to process that, much less get the unit repaired! Secondly, they wouldn't even pony up to the etended coverage they provide because this has been a troublesome issue for the early iMac G5's.
I had to explaint to them that I was aware of this an my unit clearly fell withing the serial numbers. Their response was "well, call an authorized Apple repair center".
Luckily I have a local Apple Retail Store. Called them, "sure thing, bring it in". Brough it in explained the problem, we looked at it, and they said clearly ti was covered by the special Apple warranty for this problem.
However, hey also discovered the HD was failing but this was not covered. I explained the AppleCare Warranty problem I was having and they said "no problem, if you have the reciepts, that's all I need to repair it". Unit was reparied, under full warranty, same day.
Calling Apple support - poor.
Going to Apple Retail Store - GREAT!!

[rasputnik]

Originally Posted by Zygon Gambit

Not quite so good from my point of view, as my serial number lies just outside the range they specify, and yet I've been having similar problems.

Make sure you ring in and tell them! My eMac died three days ago, and a mate pointed me to this article. Just rang apple who said 'unfortunately you're outside the range' etc. but I've asked them to record my serial number.

If enough people tell them what's up, they might extend the serial number ranges.
It's quite possible they aren't aware of all affected models, and the only people who can tell them are we users...

Originally Posted by rasputnik

apple who said 'unfortunately you're outside the range' etc.

I'm only just outside too

[jruc4871]

If my eMac is not experiencing any problems, how does this program affect me?

Originally Posted by dogbone

I like this question and answer...



It's sort of like a Steven Wright joke. If I put a digital clock in a microwave oven will time run backwards. I mean they are asking what happens if it's covered under the program and also covered under warrantee. As if the two negatives cancel out and make a positive. If it's free under the program and also free under warrantee does that mean I might have to pay.

[dogbone]

Originally Posted by jruc4871

If my eMac is not experiencing any problems, how does this program affect me?

I wondered that at first but it is answered. Apple say to do nothing. But at least you can rest assured knowing that if something does happen you will recognise it.

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by dornoforpyros

now MR, who votes negative on something like this? really?

Maybe someone who still clings to the belief that PCs are disposable, and Macs last forever?

Evidence that Apple is using the same (sometimes low) quality parts as everyone else would be a negative influence on such a belief.

[lazyrighteye]

Originally Posted by ~Shard~

I wonder if we'll ever see a revamped education solution utilizing the new Intel chips...

Do you really wonder?
My sources say we will see Apple move all Macs to Intel chips.

Seriously, good to see Apple addressing problems with a left-for-dead Mac.
Now if I could just get my dual USB iBook backlight repaired, I'd be a happy camper (I don't think it falls under the that repair dealio with certain serial numbers as I've taken it to 2 different Apple Stores with no luck). As it stands now, it is completely unusable - and a minimum of $300 to "look at it" (granted, that $300 goes towards repair fees) just seems not the best use of $300. Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with the 'Book.

Dang.

[~Shard~]

Originally Posted by lazyrighteye

Do you really wonder?
My sources say we will see Apple move all Macs to Intel chips.

I know that Steve has said all Macs will be Intel by the end of the year, however the eMac has simply been so neglected for the longest time, being removed from the main Store and all, that one has to wonder if Apple is going to let it quietly fade away into nothingness and if it will indeed be a part of these Intel updates.

The bigger question would be, will the eMac simply go Intel with a nice Core Duo chip in it, or will the eMac as we know it be dead for all intents and purposes, as Apple releases a totally redesigned Intel eMac? Perhaps it will not even be called the eMac anymore! Replace the CRT with an LCD, who knows what else could be done...

I guess that's what I'm wondering about.