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Customer's Weird G4 - Need Feedback!

This thread would have been a lot calmer if the initial post had mentioned that this was an older G4...

Everybody got all huffy, and it turns out that indeed this is some super secret Apple machine, from several years ago. I think if the NeopAmsterdam had mentioned this in the beginnning, things would have gone very differently.
 
I agree..

I have a Digital Audio 667, and the motherboard is exaclty like mine....cept' for the color. Minus the LED's that this one has.
Nice find.
 
WHAT-A-BUNCH-OF-********S-YOU-PEOPLE-ARE!!

This is a cool find. Thanks for posting!!!!! We need more cool stuff like this!

 :cool:
 
Yeah this is sweet.. I think apple needs more LEDs and blue gidgets and gadets on the inside of their machines. yeah our machines are sexy on the outside but what about when we open them up to show our friends.. i could go for some random blue throbbing lights.. and a dangling tree airfreshener and maybe when you open it something pops out.. like a self inflating steve blow up doll... (ugh don't take that the wrong way)... eww im out.
 
my "Windtunnel" 867 has a mysterious Red LED between RAM slot 4 and the AGP card. Ive wondered what it does.. there is a painted box around it, and its marked "D518"... The Mobo is also blue.. but everyone knows that..
 
I can't say much about this, except COOL! But I do know one thing. The LED's (maybe not 4 or five, but at least 2) have been in G4's ever since they were introduced, and their use will shock you with it's mundanity. In the box that every Apple-sold RAM DIMM or Airport card comes in, not to mention the computer's manual, it specifically mentions that, for installation in a PMG4, to make sure that when you open the G4 to begin installation, there are no LED's on, with indicating the machine is plugged in, and two indicating the machine is on or asleep.
 
The Story

Amazing what you can find on eBay.

Hello all, I'm the owner of the G4 in question. Yes, it's a few years too late (If only I knew what I had and what to do with it >_<) to be really intresting, but I figure to get someone ('Neo') to help me ask the right people the right questions.

You see, Apple KNOWS I have the machine. In fact, they knew 14 days after I bought it on eBay (in March 2001). I called in the serial number to check the warranty. They said the machine was fine, and the warranty covered until Oct 2001. They even EXTENDED it to start at the date I purchased the unit on eBay.

You would think they would know a prototype when they were informed of a serial number, but no. They didn't know (or just didn't inform me) until it needed repairs, and THEN they said it should have never been for resale and they cannot warranty it.

  • I asked them where it came from. They wouldn't say.
  • I asked if it was stolen. They wouldn't say.
  • I asked why I wasn't informed of this immediately. They said that if I had opted for the Applecare extended warranty that the machine would have been flagged, but NOT if I just called tech support.
  • I asked if I could resell the machine to recover my expenses, as they weren't honoring the warranty and it can't be fixed. They said they weren't sure, and might or might not take legal action.
In the meantime they quietly cancel my Apple account and put me under investigation, but just as quickly reactivated the account and stopped. What shocks me is the level of apathy Apple has taken in this matter, and the quality of their tech support. They honestly don't seem to care about this machine, nor the poor customer who bought it.

Customer Support proper (that is, not the common tech support) just gets me the Rob twins and all they do is repeatedly not tell me anything, and then apologize again 0_o.

So my pressing questions are these:

  • What would something like this go for on eBay? I would like to recover at least some of my expenses.
  • Who can I ask to get more information regarding this machine or where it might have come from?
  • Does anyone know a lawyer that can give me a straight answer regarding what I can recover from Apple in a case like this?
  • Most importantly, should I buy another Apple?
Apple as a company had done nothing but....er......NOTHING. Apple has made NO attempt to reclaim the machine. If it was stolen, they were within rights to do so. And as I said before, they didn't even claim to know it was a prototype until it needed repairs in June 2001 (in fact, they even sent out the replacement parts to the service center, and then recalled them).

Yeah, weird machine, but Apple's behavior is even weirder.
 
Originally posted by Jimong5
my "Windtunnel" 867 has a mysterious Red LED between RAM slot 4 and the AGP card. Ive wondered what it does.. there is a painted box around it, and its marked "D518"... The Mobo is also blue.. but everyone knows that..
Click to expand...



The box painted around it is the silkscreen for placement and the D518 is the refrence designator indicating it is the 518th diode on the board. (Or at least the 518th place for a diode as lower numbers may or may not be populated)
 
I don't see what the problem is with owning this computer. It seems pretty cool to me.

Are any features actually disabled? I'd just think of it as a weird configuration. Having a test-box mac is something to be proud of.

Apple is usually pretty secret about stuff but I don't see why they would care so much about an older prototype. I mean, the model that it prototyped has already stopped selling, what does it mean to them?
 
Re: So chaosvoyager

Originally posted by chewbaccapits
Who was the person you bought it from in the first place?...Since, it was purchased from ebay, did apple investigate the person who sold it to you?
Click to expand...

I think so, but Apple won't tell me 0_o. They have the email of the person I bought it from, but I don't know if they actually did anything with it.

The thing is that I've had a friend call in the serial number and he was also told it was a prototype. The service center in Texas I took it to was informed it's a prototype. In fact, after June, pretty much everyone could call in the serial number and get at least THAT information (but nothing else).

This was all during the time that the model was still new to the market.

Heck, why don't some of YOU ask Apple if it is a prototype machine and why they couldn't tell me that when I reported it in to verify the serial number?

Here are some numbers, I forget where they go to:
  • 1-800-275-2273
  • 1-800-538-9696
  • 1-800-500-7078
  • 1-800-767-2775
  • 1-800-320-3728
Here are some case numbers (machine purchased 4/26/01):
  • 8980607 (5/11/01) Serial Number (and final (and only?) entry addressing warranty - 10/22/01)
  • 9016044 (5/19/01) No Power On Startup
  • 9018439 (5/20/01) Audio
  • 9026499 (5/22/01) Memory
  • 9057822 (5/29/01) Mouse Pointer Off
  • 9138338 (6/15/01) Boot Problem
  • 9156569 (6/20/01) Boot Problem
  • 9967045 (9/27/01) Case Inquiry
  • 9727333 (10/13/01) Configuration Inquiry
Oh yeah, and the Serial Number:
  • XB041022KCP
The person in charge of customer service is a Jeanne Toulouse, but she uses minions to actually respond to anything, such as Rob and Rob. Oh, and if anyone is told it's NOT a prototype, then post here, as then Apple owes me a warranty.

Now what's more crazy? Finding an Apple prototype on eBay, or calling Apple with the serial number and them not doing a thing about it, or even being aware it's a prototype.

P.S. I'll tell 'Neo' that he can post the picture of the serial number and ethernet addy now. Feel free to tell as many people as you want to check this out. I want this net spread as widely as possible to at least get to the bottom of things.
 
wow... Well, since Apple hasn't come to claim their machine yet, then it probably wasn't stolen...

The guy who sold it to you must've been on an Apple list to test hardware... Well, that guy probably won't get his hand on another prototype box ever again... I'm surprised the FCC hasn't taken action either, since the thing isn't in compliance...

I wouldn't not buy another Mac just because of this experience. Some guy on e-bay kinda screwed you over, but he screwed himself equally, if not more if Apple sent him the machine... If you buy a Mac that's not prototype, they won't give you the cold shoulder when you call for tech support. They were willing to give you an extension on tech support, and sent the parts until they found out that you had a prototype... They just don't know what to do about it...
 
...honestly, this may be a mixed blessing...talk to the folks at wired.com, they'd LOVE a story like this "Prototpye Apple Computer bought off eBay" They'd dig that. Also, there are most likely alot of people who'd love to get their hands on it, you could probably sell it for something substantial, there are alot of die hard MacAddicts out there (like me!) good luck!
 
1) To Chaos Voyager: Give me 24 hours and I'll put up the coup d'grace.

2) Is it my understanding that there are MORE beta-boxes out there? Spiffy!

3) I sent a pair of letters not that long ago to MacAddict at their mailing address (Yes, I still snail mail), and both came back two months later labeled "Return to sender". It's sad when your mail gets to travel further and longer than its sender does...

4) To tjwett, vjv, Mr Jobs, & theranch: I'm still waiting.

5) It is my understanding that since Tangent/Clockwork did, in the end, get FCC approval, the motherboard layout and architecture (Did I spell that write?) should also be covered. But, since the box in question is labled non-compliant... I'm honestly not sure what to make of it with regards to the FCC requirements.
 
And on that thought...

Remember that Apple seeds it hardware to many many developers, companies and individuals. I am sure that many of them often get to keep the machines/hardware in exchange for their help in the testing thereof. A nice perk.

Sometimes the machines are older cases with newer guts or completely new cases with even newer guts. Just the same I don't think that Apple with come swooping down after older prototype/test cases. It is old hat.

New stuff like that "red motherboard" that mysteriously showed up on eBay, then mysteriously disappear, may have deeper and more important meaning to Apple.

You just lucked out and have one of a kind Apple. But don't let the negative sour your taste for Apples.
 
that's cool. i've never seen stuff like that before. who cares if it's not the most cutting-edge stuff?! people should post more pics of their old mutated Macs! :D
 
Originally posted by G4scott
wow... I'm surprised the FCC hasn't taken action either, since the thing isn't in compliance...
Click to expand...

I would imagine the FCC would bankrupt the Federal government if they sent a team out to investigate every mention of something not in spec.

They'd have a hell of a time with radio stations and profanity. Or illegal transmissions. (sshhh, our local college station was broadcasting illegally for a while when the main transmission antenna was knocked out by a storm. don't tell anyone, the engineer is to close to retirement.)

cheers!
 
Mutant Mac!

Oh. My. Gosh.
:cool:

Cooooooooooooooool!

I'm not a techie - I've only opened my G4 once to switch out the superdrive - and this doesn't look anything like my G4.

Even if it is old, still very cool!

Enjoy the uniqueness and DEFINITELY stick with Mac!
:D
 
Originally posted by NeoAmsterdam
1) 4) To tjwett, vjv, Mr Jobs, & theranch: I'm still waiting.
Click to expand...

sooorrrrry....:( well now that you have backed up your claim. well look on the bright side at least your credit rating has gone higher.

i still stick by my old post 'cos anyone making a claim like this should always back it up with something, which is whay i asked questions.
 
533MHz 7400??? Now THAT's interesting. The yields on those must have been terrible, since the 7400 was the one that everyone got mad at Moto about for being stuck at 500MHz. Is it stable? (If not, that might be why they never released a 533MHz 7400 based machine).
 
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