MacBook Pro/Superdrive Problem
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- 5timuli
My MacBook Pro Superdrive appears to be kaput. It won't accept discs anymore and there is no noise from the drive on startup.
I replaced the keyboard in December after a kids/Koolaid incident and the drive was making some funny noises after that, but as of today it's just not responding to anything.
It still says it's connected in System Profiler. Has anyone had this or a similar problem? If so, how much does it cost to repair/replace the drive?
- orkman0
Is it under warranty still? When I got my new MBP the drive wouldn't accept discs and they swapped it with a new MBP.
- GreedoLives0
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Op…
$170 for a new one.
- 5timuli0
It's still under warranty but since the problem was accidental I don't think it covers it. If I take it to the Apple Store they'll probably charge me $300+ to fix it, but if I try to do it myself I'll save money but probably void the warranty.
Plus I'm an unemployed broke layabout just now :(
- slappy0
What if coolaid has nothing to do with it? They will tell you if its not covered. I would take it in.
- ribit0
If you paid for the koolaid-related repair, that should bring you back to full warranty cover (i.e. they cant charge you for any further repairs on the basis of it being koolaid-related).
I've had a similar repair recently (coke spilled in keyboard, drive failed eventually). I made sure they confirmed that after I paid for that repair that I was fully covered again and couldnt be charged for further faults related to the spillage. Thats how they handle it (in UK at least)... you should confirm with Apple, and always treat this sort of repair as 'restoring to normal warranty-able condition after spillage/drop whatever', not as a repair of an individual item.
- ribit0
the key thing is after a spillage/drop you should ask Apple to properly checkover the laptop, and tell you what needs fixing (you shouldn't be guessing the extent of damage)... Then its their responsibility to have found and fixed all faults related to the spillage/drop in one repair incident.
- 5timuli0
Ribit, how did you get that confirmed with Apple? Did you call customer service or do it through the store? You think it'll be too late for me now?
I've just been quoted $464 to replace the drive "because evidence of a spill had been found and because of Apple's policy they couldn't proceed under warranty."
I explained to them that it happened in December and I had the keyboard replaced. I asked them to check the rest but don't know if they did. Surely they would have?
I'm considering DIY if it's going to save me $300.
- 5timuli0
And charging $464 when powerbookmedic.com has the part for $170? How the fuck can they justify that price?
- alkanenine0
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/…
opening up the macbookpro is even easier then a powerbook.
http://www.mcetech.com
contact them if they have a superdrive for your macbookpro. they are like 99 bucks.
- ribit0
I've had a few repairs due to sillage/drops, so I'm getting good at it...
Its been both on phone to Applecare and at the Apple Store in London... I always make sure that I'm getting a quote 'to find/fix all damage from spillage/drop and get to them to confirm I wont be charged again because of the spillage/drop...but its all verbal... and yes you might be too late now. Maybe you can ask to talk to a senior customer service person and insist that they should have done the right Apple procedure the first time, to check the laptop properly for all related damage?
- ribit0
btw my last repair (from coke spilled on keyboard, hard drive failed about a year later) meant hard drive replacement and new keyboard, so cost £250-ish.... could have been worse...
- Jaline0
Since my laptop was a crappy one, the spill caused nearly everything to go, thereby costing around $600 or more. So it wasn't worth repairing.
- 5timuli0
Well I'm getting a new battery as the spill didn't affect it. I was getting
- 5timuli0
Well I'm getting a new battery as the spill didn't affect it. I was getting
5timuli
(Jun 25 07, 15:27)I just typed a 4 paragraph response and that's all that posted? Pffft.
Ok, getting a new battery free under warranty from Apple Store as I was getting less than 45 mins on a full charge. Still getting an $85 labor fee for checking the drive though.
My Airport card is crap, worse than the one in my PB G4, so I'm considering doing the Mac Pro 802.11n card hack. That's $80.Replacement Superdrive from PBMedic is $170.
Total cost $345. Apple cost (minus new & upgraded Airport card) $464.
One guess as to what I'm doing.