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Spilt water on my keyboard; please help me.
- Thread starter KnowNol
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If your Apple Limited Warranty is void for any reason, you can't buy AppleCare. AppleCare must be purchased within the first year of purchase, while the unit is still under warranty. Also, anything that voids the warranty would also void AppleCare, as they have the same limitations. Neither will cover damage or accidents of any kind; only manufacturing defects.
This is no different than any other product. In fact I own a car that got water up inside the vehicle. Since that day it's got a salvage title and no warranty. Everything worked perfectly after it was dried out. It got some seats and carpet replaced and that was it.
If you look at the threads I posted early in this thread, you'll find lots of info on repairs, costs, etc.
$1,250. WTF... In my case, just to get the keys to light up certainly is not worth it. I could buy a new computer for that price.
Eh, I'll probably get over it in a week or so.
Or you could take my suggestion and get a new keyboard for $20.
Ah, the power of online forums. You've already decided that your warranty is voided just because the forum said so? Now, I'm not disagreeing with anyone here but I would let Apple tell me first that it's voided before deciding to accept advice on repairing it yourself. I've seen posters on here come back with some amazing stories on how Apple repaired something the owner physically damaged on their Mac and covered it under the warranty. So either take it Apple first....or just take the words of others here, pick your poison.
Umm, you really need to read the act and understand it. This has nothing to do with this case. The user spilled water in the computer and that alone voids this warranty. What the act would do is protect us from Apple putting something like (using the computer for extended periods of time will void your warranty). In short, it simply keeps vendors from putting tons of clauses in a warranty just to try and get out of honoring it. Another example would be using Crucial memory in your computer and then taking it in for a issue. The company can't deny you warranty for not using Apple memory.
I hate when people try to toss this out there without really knowing what it means or even does.
The bottom line is that the user damaged the computer and Apple can now wash their hands of it. If you try to do it yourself and are even successful but have triggered any of the sensors in the case and you have a problem later, they will void your warranty. At this point I would recommend that you find a local repair center and see what they can do for you.
FYI, I agree with HLDan... Take it in and see what they can do for you. Since the system is working they may be generous.
well either way my warranty is voided, so Im headed to Apple anyway.
And would they really charge me $1,250 to fix the lights on my keyboard...?
No, they'd likely charge you for a new logic board and a new keyboard. I think an ultrasonic cleaning on the logic board with the right chemicals, a new keyboard, and you'd be set.
You can do the latter if you own a screwdriver and an icetray.
Depends on what is damaged. If the keyboard is all that is damaged then that is what you will pay for. If the logic board is history then you will pay a lot more. You will also pay for the tech time required to diagnose and repair it.
All of that unless one of them takes pity on you.
...get a set of small screwdrivers, an ice cube tray (to keep the screws/parts organized), and an ESD (electro static discharge) strap to wear before you begin your work... mis en place is important...
I understand the act 100%. If I can speculate, perhaps you're bent because you were denied service in the past or heard about someone that had because they didn't understand their rights? The OP damaged his keyboard and therefore Apple can "wash their hands" of warrantying the keyboard. If it is determined that no other damage was caused by the water, which is entirely possible, they can't completely write off the warranty just yet. The user didn't damage a computer... the user damaged the keyboard. A keyboard is something that can be replaced relatively easily. Yes, it's a keyboard on a laptop, but it's still a peripheral and can be replaced independent of other components if the other components are still functioning 100%.
To avoid the potential of Apple trying to void the whole warranty I'd have a third party company (or yourself if it's within your ability) replace the keyboard for you. Apple sure isn't going to replace it under warranty (nor should they), so might as well not even go down that road.
To avoid the potential of Apple trying to void the whole warranty I'd have a third party company (or yourself if it's within your ability) replace the keyboard for you. Apple sure isn't going to replace it under warranty (nor should they), so might as well not even go down that road.