MacBook dead...

squerble

squerble

squerble

Permabanned
Joined
13 Apr 2009
Posts
6,644
Location
UK
Hey guys, got a first gen MacBook (Oct '06; 1.83GHz Core Duo etc etc).

I accidentally cracked the screen so now have a big black splodge in the middle of it where the pixels have died. Battery is next to completely dead (runs for about 2 mins on battery power). When I switch on the CD drive whir (you know, the "noo-nooooo, noo-noo") seems lower pitched and very slow and Airport won't connect to anything unless it's within 5 foot. This leads me to believe I have Logic Board and DC-In failures (or very very imminent).

I'm only back on this broken shed of a laptop as I recently bought a PC (after using this MacBook for three years), but succumbed to my first and only virus that has all but wiped it out. A fresh install of Windows will be needed and I don't have anything in the way of backup (bugger).

So being back on Mac has made me appreciate how much I miss the whole "Mac" interface and usability (I'm far from a power user), and ponder selling the PC on to either buy new bits for this or put toward a brand new MacBook.

How would you treat this situation if it happened to you?

Cheers,
Karl



The damage:
 
Last edited:
Put the money towards a new Macbook and a Time Capsule (or some other external backup). You'll love the new Macbook more than a patched up Macbook and you'll love the Time Capsule if you ever lose your data in the future.
 
Whatever you decide to do I would put the broken MacBook on eBay and list all the problems it has and mark it as spares/repairs. It will defiantly sell because there are always people after parts, even if it's just the iSight or keyboard, it's worth something to someone. I wouldn't be surprised to see it make £100.

I recently sold my first generation MacBook on eBay (fully working condition) and as I did a last minute test before posting it to the buyer the hard drive dies in a click of death. I had little choice but to shell out £30 for a new drive and do a reinstall before posting it to the buyer. In the long run it was in my interest as I would have had to deal with PayPal fees, eBay Fees and an unhappy buyer if I chose to cancel the auction. I got more than I expected for it in the end so £30 wasn't too much to lose.
 
Thanks for the tip RobH. I start a new job Tuesday and it's a low wage to start with (but it will be the start of a career) so money will be a bit tight so any little helps! I can also get HE discount in store (student card etc) until June '10, so that will give me a new MacBook for £687 according to the HE thread. Provided I could get around £400 for my almost brand new PC on eBay or from a friend plus anything from the MacBook/Christmas I guess I'll be almost there!
 
How did it break, if you dropped in while in your home and you have accidental damage cover, I'd suggest putting in a claim. With that sort of damage it won't get repaired but replaced.
 
Feek said:
How did it break, if you dropped in while in your home and you have accidental damage cover, I'd suggest putting in a claim. With that sort of damage it won't get repaired but replaced.
Click to expand...

I accidentally fired my mobile phone at it whilst falling over :rolleyes: aren't "portables" a funny one when it comes to the contents insurance, or is that where the "accidental damage" comes in?
 
if your insured then use it ! my mate spilt coffee all over his first gen macbook. obviously gutted that it wouldnt turn on he rang the insurance

they collected it to see if it could be repaired and then sent out a new one all within a few weeks
 
Well to me that counts as accidental damage. Ring them, explain exactly what's happened and go from there. You've got nothing to lose except the cost of a phone call and you may get a brand spanky new laptop.
 
Sorry to drag this topic back up.

I'm considering selling my PC on and just repairing this MacBook (and making a bit of money in the process). There's quite a few 13.3" LCDs available ranging from £60-160, is there any in particular I should be looking at?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom