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Deep Fried iMac G5

May 12, 2006

This morning I woke up, went into the computer room, turned on my iMac and began downloading some of the latest updates. I ate breakfast, took a shower, and got ready while it downloaded. Before I left the house this morning I went back into my office to see how much of the update had downloaded and when I moved the mouse I heard a popping sound and the screen went black. I sat there for a moment in stunned silence and then I began to smell that familiar burnt electrical smell. I tried to turn the computer back on a couple times with no luck and the smell continued to get stronger so I unplugged it.

The good thing is I bought the extended warranty AppleCare which should cover the damages. I called Apple, told them the problem and they asked me several questions to make sure I was ok and that I didn't have anything that happened that could produce a possible lawsuit against the company and then they told me to take my computer to the nearest mac store to get it taken care of. Unfortunately for me that is a hour drive from my house. The other problem is that I had to make an appointment with the Apple store online. Does that make sense to you? My computer gets fried, but the only way to get an appointment is to make one online. You can't call and make one. That was about the most frustrating part of this whole deal.

So, tomorrow it looks like I will be visiting the Apple store to get my computer taken care of. We'll see how it goes.

Comments

Posted by: Timothy R. Butler
May 13, 2006 12:12 AM

Sorry to hear that. I'd see if you can get them to make a house call instead. They won't offer it to you, but, at least with the PowerMac G5, they will make a house call if you ask. I found that out after I took my PM G5 to the Apple Store Galleria and received it back with the case scratched up.

I've had not so good of luck with the Apple Store West County too with regards to an iMac G5 (due to a shortage of logic boards it took about 20 days to get it repaired and they chipped the base).

One word of potential help: if you do have problems, voice them to Cupertino. The people at Apple HQ are very helpful about finding ways to make things right if the local store makes a mess of things. In each case, they offered significant ways of making up for the problems I experienced at the Apple Store.

Posted by: Pressed
May 13, 2006 08:30 AM

Well, thanks for adding to my anxiety Timothy. Now I have this fear that they are going to scratch and chip my computer which is my worst nightmare.

Posted by: Timothy R. Butler
May 13, 2006 01:25 PM

Sorry about that, Pressed. That is why I'd shoot from a house call if they'll give it to you... I couldn't believe when I found out they'd do a house call *after* it was too late.