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xpd

xpd

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#39369 13-Aug-2009 09:53
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Just found out why Apple techs charge so much.... trying to replace a dead HDD in an iBook.

Compaq/Dell/whatever branded PC laptop, 5 minute job. No instructions required.

Apple - hmm...lets see.... 16 pages of instructions on how to get to the HDD..... 60+ screws removed... stress level maxed out for fear of breaking the case when trying to unclip it all..... crap, whered that screw go..... ah there it is.... oh crap, WHERE does it go ?

<sob> cry, rock back and forth....




       Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

 

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macuser
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  #245944 13-Aug-2009 10:11
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I guess thats why the call them genius

sounds like a bit of an ordeal though.

dead HD on my macbook was about 8 screws and 10 minutes.




BartManGeek
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  #245960 13-Aug-2009 10:39
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iBooks are a pain but so too are the new intel iMacs...

josephhinvest
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  #245969 13-Aug-2009 11:18
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Ahh yes, we're glad to see the end of iBooks! (IAAACMT, I Am An Apple Certified Macintosh Technician).
Current hardware is much easier indeed, only one screw drive required etc etc.
Worst machine ever is of course a 12 inch PowerBook.
You want a new DC in socket? That's the worst job in the wide world of computing!
New iMacs are pretty sweet, just a bit difficult to get the glass panel back on without any dust inside, often takes several attempts.



xpd

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  #245977 13-Aug-2009 11:46
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Hmm jofizz, you can probably answer a query then :)
RAM in these things (ibook 12" screen 800mhz cpu), whats the max theyll take ? :) Figured while Ive got the thing in pieces might as well upgrade it.....




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Madmax77
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  #245985 13-Aug-2009 12:02
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For that particular model which came with 128MB RAM soldered on the motherboard and another 128MB SO-DIMM chip you can only go up to a max of 640MB by upgrading the 128MB SO-DIMM.
*Apple reports that the maximum memory capacity of this system is 640 MB with 128 MB onboard and a 512 MB SO-DIMM. However, third-parties have been able to upgrade the system to 1152 MB with the 128 MB onboard and a single 1.0 GB memory module.
Oh, and these are the specs for a G4 iBook, I'm not sure how much RAM an iBook G3 will take, but I assume the same.

Behodar
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  #250452 25-Aug-2009 18:24
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My G3/800 took 640 MB.

phillw
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  #250550 26-Aug-2009 00:01
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I am also an ACSP 10.5 and ACMT Apple Certified Macintosh Technician and remember the days of iBook G3 and G4, I had plenty of practice with them though and am real fast at repairing them :). Now it's so simple to remove hard drives in the new MacBooks.
I agree 100% with you jofizz - PowerBook G4 12" worse computer for any Apple Tech, almost brings us to tears lol. To remove the optical drive you almost have to strip the computer completely!
And yes with the new iMacs most of our time is spent making sure that glass is 100% spotless and dust free, rest of the repair is straight forward :)
Easiest was the iMac G5 (they were heading into a user replaceable scene with these computer), then decided not to.
Bring on Snow Leopard this Friday!

 
 
 

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  #250733 26-Aug-2009 16:36
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G4 iBook was the first mac I ever did repairs on, a hard drive replacement. I really should have picked something easier. After doing one of those, macbook pros and iMac's seem like a walk in the park.

Bring on Snow Leopard this Friday!
Heck yes; i've pre-ordered my copy!

xpd

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  #254496 9-Sep-2009 19:20
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OK, I admit defeat.
I cannot figure otu how to replace the cursed drive in this laptop....... all the instructions Ive found are fine until I remove the big shield from the unit then all the photos etc I find are completely different to what Ive got in front of me.... and now to make things worse I cant get the damn thing back together as it was when I started.

Any Mac'perts in Auckland interested in getting the damn thing sorted for me for a case of beer or something ? :)




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chiefie
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  #254512 9-Sep-2009 20:00
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Gavin, obviously you're not suited to operate a Mac... please surrender your iBook over to the Genius.




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honem
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  #254862 10-Sep-2009 19:58
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awww chiefie be nice :(

@xpd

What instructions are you going off ?

Are they ones a website has come up with ?

Or is it an official apple service manual ?

The service manuals I believe you can match up with the exact model of mac you have - use Apple System profiler to help you with this ...




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josephhinvest
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  #254885 10-Sep-2009 21:29
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Ah yes indeed, iBooks come in many wonderful flavours. If you can't work out which model you have, pm me your serial number and I can sort you out instructions. If you are totally stuck I can help you out if you are in Auckland.

xpd

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  #254944 11-Sep-2009 07:44
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Cheers guys, will do some poking around and see what I can find out...at the moment its in bits on my kitchen table going nowehere fast :)




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testing123
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  #255520 14-Sep-2009 09:19
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does anyone know how hard it would be to upgrade the HDD and RAM on a new imac?

not really keen to pay the $500 mark up on 2gig of ram, whereas if the HDD is too hard i can just use an external.

testing123
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  #255521 14-Sep-2009 09:19
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**edit - double post**

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