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External
Since: Oct 09, 2004
Posts: 2
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 11:00 am
Post subject: memory access panel on emac
Archived from groups: comp>sys>mac>hardware>misc (more info?)
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I just bought 512MB to upgrade my ram & hopefully allevaite all
the kernel panics. This is a well documented, customer doable
upgrade. Printed out the instructions provided on MacHelp, followed
the protocols up until step 3, removing the access panel. Let me
preface by saying that I LOVE my eMac and have been on macs almost
exclusively since 1985...but have found out the hard way that an
otherwise well designed, sleek workstation has one serious flaw.
Using a correctly-sized (by my estimation, apple doesn't specify a
size) phillips head screwdriver, and with not a whole lot of torque
the screw stripped as easily as the ones found on cheapo imported
kids toys! I called AppleCare, and while the guy who took my call
sympathized he said it would probably not be covered under applecare
unless it could be documented that the screw was defective and not
simply damaged by me (sounds hard to prove in my favor, don't you
think?). This begs the question-why buy applecare if they don't
cover hardware?!
He directed me to contact a service center; I am just 5 miles north
of Boston and the two closest said yeah probably not covered,
guesstimated minimum $100 to get it on the bench, then that I would
need to replace the entire memory access panel (as the screw is a
captured screw, meaning it doesn't come loose from the panel so you
don't lose it) @ cost of part + labor. So essentially I would be
paying @ least 2x more than the cost of the ram for a net upgrade
cost approaching $300! All because the screw used by Apple is made
of a cheap alloy.
OK, I'm done venting...the reason I am posting this is for one of two
reasons:
1. Has anybody else encountered this, and/or do you have any
suggestions insofar as tools or other means of getting the screw to
turn? I will only be needing to get inside the computer once to
pop the ram in, and frankly felt it would be a breeze akin to the
memory upgrade I did on my iBook this summer.
If that's not your expertise, then-
2. If you are local to Boston, maybe you can suggest a more
reasonable authorized repair facility, other than the two I tried
(Microcenter and CompUSA)...maybe even one that could advocate to
apple on my behalf and get them to cover the cost of fixing it.
It's getting old living with 256MB in today's world...please help.
* posted via http://mymac.ws |
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External
Since: Mar 26, 2005
Posts: 3646
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 9:03 pm
Post subject: Re: memory access panel on emac [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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In article <41684371$1_3@alt.athenanews.com>,
canineu <mail.TakeThisOut@canineuniversity-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> wrote:
> I just bought 512MB to upgrade my ram & hopefully allevaite all
> the kernel panics.
If by "upgrade" you mean replacing some suspected/known bad RAM, that
might help. If you just mean you're adding memory, KPs are not a common
symptom unless you're also exceedingly low on disk space (which is a
situation very much worth addressing).
> Using a correctly-sized (by my estimation, apple doesn't specify a
> size) phillips head screwdriver, and with not a whole lot of torque
> the screw stripped as easily as the ones found on cheapo imported
> kids toys! I called AppleCare, and while the guy who took my call
> sympathized he said it would probably not be covered under applecare
> unless it could be documented that the screw was defective and not
> simply damaged by me (sounds hard to prove in my favor, don't you
> think?). This begs the question-why buy applecare if they don't
> cover hardware?!
They do cover hardware. They don't cover abuse and that's what they're
trying to warn you against. I've done RAM upgrades in eMacs. I'm having
trouble imagining stripping a screw in the process unless the screw is
so soft you can deform it by hand. Since that would be very odd, it
would be...impractical of someone to raise your hopes about coverage
without actually seeing the machine because then you can turn around and
sue them if it turns out not-covered.
G
--
Change account to gw when responding by mail. |
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External
Since: Aug 27, 2004
Posts: 7
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 9:46 pm
Post subject: Re: memory access panel on emac [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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In article <41684371$1_3@alt.athenanews.com>,
canineu <mail DeleteThis @canineuniversity-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> wrote:
> I just bought 512MB to upgrade my ram & hopefully allevaite all
> the kernel panics. This is a well documented, customer doable
> upgrade. Printed out the instructions provided on MacHelp, followed
> the protocols up until step 3, removing the access panel. Let me
> preface by saying that I LOVE my eMac and have been on macs almost
> exclusively since 1985...but have found out the hard way that an
> otherwise well designed, sleek workstation has one serious flaw.
> Using a correctly-sized (by my estimation, apple doesn't specify a
> size) phillips head screwdriver, and with not a whole lot of torque
> the screw stripped as easily as the ones found on cheapo imported
> kids toys! I called AppleCare, and while the guy who took my call
> sympathized he said it would probably not be covered under applecare
> unless it could be documented that the screw was defective and not
> simply damaged by me (sounds hard to prove in my favor, don't you
> think?). This begs the question-why buy applecare if they don't
> cover hardware?!
> He directed me to contact a service center; I am just 5 miles north
> of Boston and the two closest said yeah probably not covered,
> guesstimated minimum $100 to get it on the bench, then that I would
> need to replace the entire memory access panel (as the screw is a
> captured screw, meaning it doesn't come loose from the panel so you
> don't lose it) @ cost of part + labor. So essentially I would be
> paying @ least 2x more than the cost of the ram for a net upgrade
> cost approaching $300! All because the screw used by Apple is made
> of a cheap alloy.
>
> OK, I'm done venting...the reason I am posting this is for one of two
> reasons:
> 1. Has anybody else encountered this, and/or do you have any
> suggestions insofar as tools or other means of getting the screw to
> turn? I will only be needing to get inside the computer once to
> pop the ram in, and frankly felt it would be a breeze akin to the
> memory upgrade I did on my iBook this summer.
> If that's not your expertise, then-
> 2. If you are local to Boston, maybe you can suggest a more
> reasonable authorized repair facility, other than the two I tried
> (Microcenter and CompUSA)...maybe even one that could advocate to
> apple on my behalf and get them to cover the cost of fixing it.
>
> It's getting old living with 256MB in today's world...please help.
> * posted via http://mymac.ws
Just curious... was it the screw threads, hole threads or screw head
itself that stripped... but guess if you can't get the door off, you
can't tell which threads are bad.
Seems I've read of others having trouble with that screw/door assembly.
I don't remember off the top of my head if that screw head is accessible
enough to grab it with a pair of Vice Grips, gently pull and twist out.
(If thats even the issue anymore.)
Good Luck!
Erik |
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External
Since: Oct 11, 2003
Posts: 1609
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 12:58 pm
Post subject: Re: memory access panel on emac [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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canineu <mail.RemoveThis@canineuniversity-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> writes:
>
> I just bought 512MB to upgrade my ram & hopefully allevaite all the
> kernel panics.
Adding RAM won't solve kernel panics. Replacing defective RAM will.
> This is a well documented, customer doable upgrade.
Apple supports customer upgrades of memory in an eMac. Check your
user's manual. If you don't have it, you can download it from here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=52090
> He directed me to contact a service center; I am just 5 miles north
> of Boston and the two closest said yeah probably not covered,
> guesstimated minimum $100 to get it on the bench, then that I would
> need to replace the entire memory access panel (as the screw is a
> captured screw, meaning it doesn't come loose from the panel so you
> don't lose it) @ cost of part + labor. So essentially I would be
> paying @ least 2x more than the cost of the ram for a net upgrade
> cost approaching $300! All because the screw used by Apple is made
> of a cheap alloy.
If it's $100 for a new panel or nothing, why not just remove the
screw and replace it with a new one from your local hardware store.
Just be sure to match its size and you should be OK.
> OK, I'm done venting...the reason I am posting this is for one of two
> reasons:
> 1. Has anybody else encountered this, and/or do you have any
> suggestions insofar as tools or other means of getting the screw to
> turn? I will only be needing to get inside the computer once to pop
> the ram in, and frankly felt it would be a breeze akin to the memory
> upgrade I did on my iBook this summer.
The screw doesn't turn? I thought you removed it and stripped it?
What really happened? Did you turn the screw the wrong way and force
it?
I find it hard to believe that a metal machine screw just got
stripped without you applying any significant amount of torque.
I don't think you've adequately explained what is going on here.
> If that's not your expertise, then-
> 2. If you are local to Boston, maybe you can suggest a more
> reasonable authorized repair facility, other than the two I tried
> (Microcenter and CompUSA)...maybe even one that could advocate to
> apple on my behalf and get them to cover the cost of fixing it.
Without seeing the computer, I wouldn't even consider it. From your
rather vague description, it may very well be that you caused your
own damage.
-- David |
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External
Since: Jun 30, 2003
Posts: 283
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 4:39 pm
Post subject: Re: memory access panel on emac [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Sat, 9 Oct 2004 16:00:49 -0400, canineu wrote
(in article <41684371$1_3@alt.athenanews.com>):
> 1. Has anybody else encountered this, and/or do you have any
> suggestions insofar as tools or other means of getting the screw to
> turn? I will only be needing to get inside the computer once to
> pop the ram in, and frankly felt it would be a breeze akin to the
> memory upgrade I did on my iBook this summer.
> If that's not your expertise, then-
If you did what I think you did, and cored out the the head of the screw,
you'll have to:
1 find a way to replace the screw
2 live with it
3 pay them
I've seen some people with older eMacs who were over-enthusiastic when they
tried to unscrew the cover and cored the screw. Apple will call that kind of
thing 'user error' and will _not_ cover it. (Maybe if you have AppleCare, but
even so I doubt it.)
--
We are Microsoft of Borg. You will be assimilated. Stability is irrelevant.
Where _you_ want to go to today is irrelevant. We will add your currency to
our own. Bend over right now. Resistance is futile. |
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External
Since: Oct 09, 2004
Posts: 2
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:30 pm
Post subject: re:memory access panel on emac [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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some clarification per your requests (and I'm probably fudging the
terminology here):
-the head of the screw, the part where you would insers the teeth of
a phillips head, is now more like a circle. It has yet to turn any
measurable amount, and remains flush with the casing.
-If kernel panics are the same as beach balls, the spinning colored
circle, then yes those are what I am getting on occasion when for
example working with 3 windows in Safari + having a few other things
open & active. The spinning multicolor discs are what I see
temporarily and cannot perfirm any functions within whichever
program I am in where they are spinning.
-lefty, loosey; righty, tighty. I went left & it really didn't
take much...
-To me anyway, an 'upgrade' is an enhancement to make something
perform better, become more functional, and the like. Replacing bad
ram would qualify as a 'repair'.
-I have been exclusively on their machines for almost 20 years...the
likelihood that I am going to sue them over a deficiency in
AppleCare is quite small. I think that like pornography, there is a
discernible difference between abuse of equipment and an average
joe's attempt to add ram using common household equipment. ALSO
that the person I spoke with at applecare then the 2 repair shops I
contacted have given me the distinct impression that it's now going
to cost me a whole lot more than the cost of the memory to install
memory is IMO a sad...like Midas lifetime coverage on the muffler
& when you take it in for service well now you need to replace
from the catalytic converter back, oh yeah your muffler is free. It
will impact my decision to buy goverage on the G5 we are adding.
Thanks for reading this far, had to clarify some ar stuff, not sure
maybe it was the dick avatar that brought that on
http://mymac.ws/images/smiles/grin.gif
Still waiting for anyone to give me an idea of how to get the screw
out without breaking the memory access panel
http://mymac.ws/images/smiles/help.gif If you have a fresh idea or a
solution to offer I'm all ears 
->Paul
* posted via http://mymac.ws |
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External
Since: Mar 26, 2005
Posts: 3646
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 7:01 am
Post subject: Re: memory access panel on emac [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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In article <416b6c01$1_5@alt.athenanews.com>,
canineu <mail.TakeThisOut@canineuniversity-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> wrote:
> some clarification per your requests (and I'm probably fudging the
> terminology here):
> -the head of the screw, the part where you would insers the teeth of
> a phillips head, is now more like a circle. It has yet to turn any
> measurable amount, and remains flush with the casing.
I cannot imagine how that happened without abuse or a ridiculously soft
screw. Sears sells a set of driver bits that will probably help get it
out, though.
> -If kernel panics are the same as beach balls, the spinning colored
> circle, then yes those are what I am getting on occasion when for
> example working with 3 windows in Safari + having a few other things
> open & active. The spinning multicolor discs are what I see
> temporarily and cannot perfirm any functions within whichever
> program I am in where they are spinning.
Ah. No, those aren't KPs. KPs are where you must reboot your machine
because it has gone completely pear-shaped and a message has come up
onscreen saying as much. What you're seeing are delays in event
processing. Insufficient memory is a possible cause for that, but far
from the only one. On the other hand, memory is never wasted in OS X.
> -I have been exclusively on their machines for almost 20 years...the
> likelihood that I am going to sue them over a deficiency in
> AppleCare is quite small.
A fact of which they have absolutely no way of being aware, nor
guarantee of truth/persistence.
> I think that like pornography, there is a
> discernible difference between abuse of equipment and an average
> joe's attempt to add ram using common household equipment. ALSO
> that the person I spoke with at applecare then the 2 repair shops I
> contacted have given me the distinct impression that it's now going
> to cost me a whole lot more than the cost of the memory to install
> memory is IMO a sad...like Midas lifetime coverage on the muffler
> & when you take it in for service well now you need to replace
> from the catalytic converter back, oh yeah your muffler is free. It
> will impact my decision to buy goverage on the G5 we are adding.
Like I said before. Without seeing the machine, they don't know what the
problem really is, they don't really have a clue what caused it, and
they have no reason to believe from what you described that it wasn't
abuse.
A few months ago, I bought a G5 from Apple's web store. It showed up in
a state that I'd call "dead, but it hasn't realized the fact itself
yet." I put together a list of something like 20 individual defects,
most of which in my opinion couldn't have occurred during shipping. I
called Apple and described the top 3 issues and indicated there were
more. They said the best solution was to take it to the Apple store to
repair. I did. The store looked at it, and my list, for about 5 minutes
and declared it not worth anyone's time/money/effort to repair and said
to send it back to Apple. I called Apple with this information, and they
said: "Well, nothing's irreparable." Eventually it worked out, and I
ended up with a satisfactory result. But consider the difference in both
interaction and response with two different arms of Apple.
> Still waiting for anyone to give me an idea of how to get the screw
> out without breaking the memory access panel
> http://mymac.ws/images/smiles/help.gif If you have a fresh idea or a
> solution to offer I'm all ears
Sears. I can't remember what the product is called, but it's a set of
bits for an electric screwdriver that's specifically for removing
stripped screws. But don't do it before someone with AppleCare pull
actually sees the machine.
G
--
Change account to gw when responding by mail. |
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External
Since: Oct 11, 2003
Posts: 1609
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(Msg. 8) Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:44 pm
Post subject: Re: memory access panel on emac [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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canineu <mail.TakeThisOut@canineuniversity-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> writes:
>
> Still waiting for anyone to give me an idea of how to get the screw
> out without breaking the memory access panel
Sears sells a damaged-screw removal tool. It's a special bit to go
on a power screwdriver. It may not be small enough for this screw,
however. If it's too big, don't use it - it will damage whatever it
comes in contact with.
-- David |
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External
Since: Oct 26, 2004
Posts: 1
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(Msg. 9) Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 4:29 pm
Post subject: Re: memory access panel on emac [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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well that was a lot of discussion...
there is a tool to get stripped screws out, its like a reverse threaded
screw itself.
how it works is you drill a wee hole in the head of the screw.
then you screw this thing in (sorry, i dont know what its called, mine
looks like a wee double cone thing, like two skinny cones placed head to
head with a square bit inbetween which enables you to grab it with
pliars, drill, etc.) but the trick is that its a reverse thread, so you
screw it in backwards.
when it tightens in the hole, you keep turning it and out the screw comes.
thats assuming its the head which is pakaru (highly technical term for
f****d) and not something inside.
otherwise just use a bigger drill bit and drrrrill the head off. this of
course leaves you with the hole unusable...
hope this helps.
otherwise i could do a blah blah blah on customer support, or the ins
and outs of liability and who can the blame be placed on...
k.
David C. wrote:
> canineu <mail.RemoveThis@canineuniversity-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> writes:
>
>>Still waiting for anyone to give me an idea of how to get the screw
>>out without breaking the memory access panel
>
>
> Sears sells a damaged-screw removal tool. It's a special bit to go
> on a power screwdriver. It may not be small enough for this screw,
> however. If it's too big, don't use it - it will damage whatever it
> comes in contact with.
>
> -- David |
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External
Since: Oct 27, 2004
Posts: 1
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(Msg. 10) Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 11:27 pm
Post subject: Re: memory access panel on emac [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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kiweed wrote:
> well that was a lot of discussion...
>
> there is a tool to get stripped screws out, its like a reverse threaded
> screw itself.
> how it works is you drill a wee hole in the head of the screw.
> then you screw this thing in (sorry, i dont know what its called, mine
> looks like a wee double cone thing, like two skinny cones placed head to
> head with a square bit inbetween which enables you to grab it with
> pliars, drill, etc.)
For what it's worth, I believe the tool Kiweed described is called an
EZ-Out. I've used them for automotive work, but I've never seen one
small enough for the screws on the memory door. Look around, though,
they probably exist. No matter what, best of luck to you fixing it and
getting that memory installed. I have an eMac with 512MB RAM and a
700MHz processor, and it runs circles around the "faster" computer I use
at work.
- Brian |
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