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Thought I bought a 1GHz PB?

Update

Checked power setting - on "highest" it still registers 867HMz -
Removed battery - little sticker says 1GHZ.

The note from someone telling me the CPU can't be replaced but rather I'll need a whole new PowerBook is discouraging news. I shudder to think about the extra time it is going to take to transfer all my files and settings

As I begin to determine what I will want in compensation for my trouble - can anyone tell me what the 867 PowerBook was retailing for (US$) when it was new? I will at least want the difference.
 
OldManJimbo:

Since it seems like a manufacturing error, your local Apple store should replace your computer with a new 1GHz or 1.33GHz 12" PowerBook, AND do the files-and-settings transfers for you free of charge. Most likely they've run out of 1GHz models and you'll end up with a 1.33GHz machine.

You shouldn't be without your computer except for the hour or so it takes them to do the transfers.

If you bought an Airport Extreme card or extra RAM, have them remove it from your 867MHz machine and keep them for yourself. The 1.33GHz comes with Airport Exterme included, so you won't need it in case they replace your computer with one of those. However, the Airport Extreme card will come in handy down the road if you eventually get a G5, eMac or iMac. The RAM, if you bought extra, will work in a 1GHz model, and it'll only work in a 1.33GHz model if it's PC2700. If it's PC2100, well you can recover a few bucks on eBay or here in the Marketplace - Classifieds section.
 
Update

stevehaslip said:
OldManJimbo

how did things go at the apple store today??
Click to expand...

I am a little bit disappointed. The Apple reseller ran some diagnostics and determined what we knew all along - this 1 GHz G4 PowerBook was manufactured with the wrong CPU.

The manager then handed it back to me and told me to "call Apple so they can replace the CPU."

Apple Care is sending me a pre-paid shipping box and I am to pack it off to Austin, TX to have the CPU replaced.

I really can't afford to be without my machine for the 2-7 days they say it will take to make repairs (My guess is the 2-7 days will stretch to more than a week).

No one offered to just replace the machine, even though the Apple reseller has 1GHz PBs on the shelf. They are all quick with apologies and verbal expresssions of "understanding" but their actions are not living up to their words.

I was impressed with AppleCare's record-keeping process. At least I didn't have to explain the situation over-and-over. Good thing, because everytime I do, my anger level increases.

My advice - everyone should check their About This Mac utility to make sure they didn't also get the wrong processor.
 
AppleCare always says 2-7 days - I've fund that it's usually more like 3 days. i have used them twice - once was a screen and cosmetic problem the second time was a non-ejecting superdrive. Both times I took the PB 17 1.33 into the local AppleStore - the "geniuses" shipped it out and it was back in my hands on the morning of the 3rd day.

My guess is that they will either replace your motherboard or will just give you a new PB - either way, BACK UP YOUR DATA!!!! I cannot stress this enough - there have been so many reports of machines coming back from AppleCare with the hard drives wiped clean.
 
aricher said:
BACK UP YOUR DATA!!!! I cannot stress this enough - there have been so many reports of machines coming back from AppleCare with the hard drives wiped clean.
Click to expand...

Aricher - other than Documents and the User data from Entourage, what else should I back up? I guess I should backup iTunes?
 
You should also deauthorize your computer in iTunes (iTunes->Advanced->Deauthorize Computer...).

Maybe what you get back will "look" the same, maybe not - actually, probably not. But it's safest to deauthorize it and then authorize it when you get it back.

Be sure to back up any purchased music.

Also, I'd call AppleCare and make sure (unless someone in this thread already knows) that it's cool to deauthorize and then reauthorize the same system. I'm 99% sure it is. I'd want 100% certainty, though.
 
It is a very common thing for machines that go in for repair to get their hard drives completely erased. BACK UP YOUR DATA. I had a friend that specifically asked them not to erase the drive and it got erased anyway.
 
Agreed. Assume they'll shred your system and send you a completely new one. They won't, but base your backup on that assumption.

This thread just reminded me it's time again for me to do a backup myself...
 
OldManJimbo said:
I really can't afford to be without my machine for the 2-7 days they say it will take to make repairs (My guess is the 2-7 days will stretch to more than a week).[/B]
Click to expand...
They've never had anything of mine for longer than 3 days--and that includes shipping time there and back.

If you buy from the iTunes Music Store, deauthorize your computer. Then back up your home folder.
 
Update

Thanks all - I have told Apple that they can't have the machine until I'm done with a crazy two-week travel schedule, so I have a bit of time to handle the backup.

Any suggestions for decent backup untilities? Right now I just copy the Documents file, but I'd like to do more.
 
It's perfectly fine to de-authorize your computer, in fact, in the documentation that comes with the pickup box it tells you to do it.

I've had nothing but positive experiences with AppleCare. I've sent my powerbook in twice and had it returned to me 2 days from the mail away date both times. I wouldn't worry about being without your computer for too long because in my experience it isn't a problem.
 
puhlsar said:
II've had nothing but positive experiences with AppleCare. I've sent my powerbook in twice and had it returned to me 2 days from the mail away date both times. I wouldn't worry about being without your computer for too long because in my experience it isn't a problem.
Click to expand...

Thank you - that's encouraging news. I'll report back when the process is complete - which will be sometime after July 4. I am heading off on a very hectic travel schedule until then.
 
wide said:
Perhaps Apple gave you a Rev. B but forgot to overclock the processor to 1 GHz. Does anyone know if the Rev. A and Rev. B PowerBooks use different processors or does the Rev. B just use an overclocked version?

I know programs exist that allow you to overclock your computer.

Maybe you could underclock it to 400 MHz, bring it to Apple, and get is exchanged for a brand-new PowerBook? :)
Click to expand...

really? can you point me to an application that can boost my 867mhz 12" PB? i could really use the boost.
 
adamjay said:
really? can you point me to an application that can boost my 867mhz 12" PB? i could really use the boost.
Click to expand...

I think nobody responded to wide's comment because it's pretty much common knowledge that the processors in the 1st and 2nd generation 12" PB are completely different parts.

the 1GHz processor in the 2nd version 12" PBs is lower power and cooler running than the different 867MHz processor in the 1st 12" PBs.

it's not a matter of overclocking an old part, it's using a new part.

the only performance boost available to you besides selling and upgrading to a current 1.33GHz 12" PB is buying a $300 1GB stick of RAM from 18004memory.com. I've bought from there a couple of times with good results.
 
More than likely, Apple is going to replace your logic board. The CPU is soldered directly onto the logic board, and it's cheaper than sending you a whole new computer, since they'd have to waste a functioning PowerBook, and then transfer your data, and mess with all that junk. If they stick to procedure, your data should be fine, and you should get it back rather quickly, assuming they use air-shipping, like they usually do for PowerBooks.

I just sent an iBook for a logic board repair a few weeks ago, and it came back rather quickly. Only 5 days, I think, from when got the box to ship it, until I had it back.

I hope everything goes well. It just seems weird that the wrong processor would get put in your machine...
 
G4scott said:
More than likely, Apple is going to replace your logic board. The CPU is soldered directly onto the logic board, and it's cheaper than sending you a whole new computer, since they'd have to waste a functioning PowerBook, and then transfer your data, and mess with all that junk. If they stick to procedure, your data should be fine, and you should get it back rather quickly, assuming they use air-shipping, like they usually do for PowerBooks.
Click to expand...

they should replace the powerbook entirely, and clone his HD to the new PB. if they sent him a Rev A when he bought a 1ghz then he not only bought that processor - but the mini-dvi output, usb 2.0, and twice the L2 Cache.
 
adamjay said:
they should replace the powerbook entirely, and clone his HD to the new PB. if they sent him a Rev A when he bought a 1ghz then he not only bought that processor - but the mini-dvi output, usb 2.0, and twice the L2 Cache.
Click to expand...

According to him, the PowerBook already has the mini-DVI, which would mean it also has the USB 2.

Besides, when you replace the logic board, you replace all of the connectors, the graphics chip, and all that, which means it would come with USB 2.0, the mini DVI, and the L2 cache would be the right amount for the machine.

It seems as if when they were putting processors on the motherboards, an 867mhz G4 slipped in with the 1ghz G4's.

He has the right PowerBook, just not the right processor.
 
G4scott said:
He has the right PowerBook, just not the right processor.
Click to expand...

okay i understand now... and that sucks!

i vote he uses his consumer power to get either a 1.33ghz 12" or a free ipod! seriously.. raise hell , the best that could come from it is you get a better than bought G4, or an ipod, maybe an extra battery or something - tell them you want to be compensated!!! The worst that could happen is you gotta do the Applecare thing.. Sometimes you just gotta yell loud enough to get results.

a wierd example, but Saturn replaced half my engine when a timing chain broke and i didnt pay for a single part... and the timing chain was in a grey part of the warranty. it wasn't in the warranty, but it was part of the power train.. - anyway, i raised enough hell. had i not, their original quote included the price of parts, and i would have been out $1300.
 
adamjay said:
okay i understand now... and that sucks!

i vote he uses his consumer power to get either a 1.33ghz 12" or a free ipod!
Click to expand...

As the "he" mentioned - let me say that I have gotten to the point where I just want this fixed.

yes - I have all the makings of a 1GHz machine, they just used an old CPU - weird.

Latest - local Apple reseller is asking Apple to send them the replacement part so they can make the swap when the part arrives - that should save me time. They are also going to do a backup for me at no charge.
 
OldManJimbo said:
Any suggestions for decent backup untilities? Right now I just copy the Documents file, but I'd like to do more.
Click to expand...
Why? Dragging and dropping is a perfectly good way to back up. In some ways it's superior to the apps that make everything into 1 file.
 
did you manage to back everything up?

did they send your powerbook off?

have you got it back?

id love to hear a good ending to your nightmare, maybe a 1.33 powerbook? or an ipod for your trouble?
 
Update

Local resller has ordered a new logic board and CPU from Apple. I am away on business until July 5 on which date I will take the PB to the resller and stand by while they make the switch. Files are backed up - that took a while.

To date, neither Apple or the resller have offered anything other than apologies. Free iPods and brand new machines have not even entered the discussion. I am beginning to think these stories of free stuff when Apple makes a mistake are more fiction than fact.
 
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