Apple + HP Hardware Questions Here!

pkphilip

I am happy to announce that I am factory certified to service all Apple and HP computer systems locally.

Still, I am not tech support. I am just the technician to deal with all in/out of warranty service on behalf of the manufacturers. If you suspect you have hardware issues, please feel free to post here.

Toshiba will be coming soon....

Philip
Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT), HP Master Tech

pkphilip

原帖由 nagaki 於 2008-3-23 09:21 發表
My Macbook Pro's Gigabit Ethernet LAN port just suddenly stopped working, do you know what might be the cause?  Do you know how I could fix it? >_<

Thanks!

Reset PRAM and SMC first.

PRAM: Press and Hold Command, Option, P, R together when you hear the start-up chime. You will hear a second chime if done right.
SMC: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319

We need to find out why it is not working. When you use Network Utility, do you see a Green dot next to the interface name? If there is the interface name, that means the system detected the presence of Ethernet port. You can try to plug in your internet ethernet cable and wiggle it to see if the dot will turn green.

If you wiggle it and it connects, the mainboard has to be replaced.

Philip

[ 本帖最後由 pkphilip 於 2008-3-23 21:33 編輯 ]

pkphilip

原帖由 lerico 於 2008-3-22 19:14 發表
My 3 months old 24" iMac 2.8Ghz is having problem with the LCD monitor recently. After the computer warms up, the bottom half of the LCD backlight starts to flicker (going up and down between one leve ...

You can try to reset the Parameter RAM first by holding Command (Apple) + Option + P + R keys together as soon as you hear the start-up chime. If done right, you will hear the start up chime a 2nd time. This will reset the hardware settings and force the system to re-detects hardware and generally would fix most power issues.

You can also try to reset the SMC by following Apple's document: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303446

Finally, make sure you have the latest Apple's Update because there was a new firmware to fix video issues on iMac.

AppleCare Service News does not have the issue you described, so it is just something out of the ordinary. LCD should never flickers anyways, in that case, a new LCD panel and inverter will be required. However, I've seen cases where the PSU and the mainboard have to be replaced because of power issues.

Apple requires ASP (us) to keep the computer during the time of repair. That means from the day you bring in your computer, do diagnostics, order parts, install parts and verify the issues. Judging from the complexity of the issues you are having and the length of time Apple ships us the parts, I would expect 2 weeks turn around time. (We don't stock any Apple parts... everything is shipped to us based on needs). Needless to say, the 24" iMac is not something that is easy to take apart and put back easily.

My suggestion is, if you cannot live without the computer. Wait until you are not too busy and bring it in.

My work place is in Vancouver, other than my store, there are Simply Computing (don't go there) and DMac in Richmond that can do repair as well. Send me a PM if you want to contact me.

Philip

[ 本帖最後由 pkphilip 於 2008-3-23 21:31 編輯 ]

pkphilip

Intel Mac does not have BIOS, they have EFI, so reset PRAM and SMC should address some hardware issues.

Philip

pkphilip

原帖由 moon 於 2008-3-29 12:59 發表
Can you help me?
How to get a broken headphone jack out of my macbook?
My coworker has broken it and left half of it inside my mb
I can listen to any music right now since it thinks i have a headphone ...

Let's pray that the broken piece is not inserted all the way into the jack. I would have to remove the motherboard from the system, then see if there are enough clearance me to take it out. Bear in mind that the jack normally would lock it in place. So it will not be easy.

If it is inserted in all the way, and I cannot remove it. You will need to buy a new motherboard. Apple tests every items going back to them, so there is no way to cheat the system by saying it is not working.

You can PM me and I will send you to my store.

Philip

pkphilip

原帖由 rs1985 於 2008-3-29 21:55 發表
PK PHIL
I am wondering
my frd dropped my Macbook PRo
how much is replacing the lower case

Since you didn't tell me what model of MBP. I assume it would be 15" Core 2 Duo:
You are lucky that the bottom case is much cheaper than the top case. The bottom case cost $145, and labour extra (about $120) for 1.5 hours of install.

Philip

pkphilip

Apple IS expensive to begin with. Labour rate is set by the store. I know Simply Computing can do it cheaper, but me and my co-worker can't remember how many times we clean up messes that made by them.

Philip

[ 本帖最後由 pkphilip 於 2008-3-30 15:40 編輯 ]

pkphilip

原帖由 moon 於 2008-3-29 12:59 發表
Can you help me?
How to get a broken headphone jack out of my macbook?
My coworker has broken it and left half of it inside my mb
I can listen to any music right now since it thinks i have a headphone ...

Just checked for you, a logic board replacement cost about $1000 (straight purchase) not including labour.... So... we can try to get it out, but no guarantee we can take it out.

Philip

pkphilip

原帖由 keong 於 2008-4-5 08:54 發表
Hi pkphilip
I have a macbook and the model is MB062LL/A.
I am just wondering how much does it cost to upgrade it from 1gb ram to 2 gb?

And is this macbook easy to get hot normally? because everytime  ...

You have the last gen C2D MB. To upgrade to 2GB, you can DIY. RAM is user replacible parts. Simply pick up 2 identical modules 1GB PC2-5300 or DDR2-667 SODIMM and insert them. For best compatibility with Apple, I highly recommend Kingston and Crucial brand memory. You should be able to get them from NCIX for less than $25 a piece. Unless you want to put $$ in my pocket, there is no reason you can't DIY.

About the heat issue, install this widget and check it for a few days and report back the temp of the CPU core:
http://www.bresink.de/osx/216202-3/download.html

Core 2 Duo Mac should not be running over 70C. If it is, I need to take it in and re-apply thermal paste or replace the HSF. If your fan is running constantly at fast rate, they will die prematuraly.

Philip

pkphilip

原帖由 keong 於 2008-4-13 09:36 發表
Hi Philip,
My mac was about 65 -69 while I was watching any videos and the fan's rpm was bout 5xxx to 6xxx.
Is that normal?

I browsed thru some DIY videos online about upgrading rams on macbook and i ...

Average Intel C2D Mac temp is about 61-70, the fan would starts to kick in when the temp over 65C. The fan speed is running at full, does it run over 5k RPM constantly? It should be running about 2k when idling.

Mac is a really touchy machine in RAM. Since I use Kingston, Samsung, Hynix, Transcend on all the Macs, I never see or use OCZ before, I can't guarantee it will work. For Macbook, 2GB should be sufficient because 4GB makes no difference unless you are running BootCamp or Parallel.

Philip