When Apple Care Doesn't Work

Question

Has anyone had problems getting something solved through Apple Care technical support? This is the second time for me with this computer. Last time, over a year ago, they finally paid to have it put in the shop. I've been dealing with them with this issue since November. Two regular level and two specialists have tried to help me. We've done all of the regular stuff, making more room on the hard drive, resetting the PRAM, taking stuff off and reinstalling the system software. The last was done on Friday. I'm still having problems. It totally freezes up at odd times. Sometimes there are black lines across the screen. It is now (since the reinstall) not recognizing my external hard drive and saying it can't open itunes. I'm so frustrated! Not only do my kids need the computer for homework, but I have a part-time home business and need to print shipping labels etc. as well as look up information related to my business. Any suggestions? I've had Macs almost since they came out and this really makes me want to get a PC. I realize they can have problems, too, but at least they are cheaper.

Answer 1

"Will Apple keep making updates to 10.4"
That final version update of Tiger is 10.4.11.
"Should I buy 10.5? It's been my feeling that since this particular computer has had so many problems I shouldn't spend any more money on it unless I am convinced it will continue working well (or begin working well) for a while. " I wouldn't think it would be advisable to upgrade to Leopard until your Mac is stable.
"Re: When Apple Care Doesn't Work
Posted: Mar 1, 2009 9:35 PM
Robert,
Unfortunately we don't have an Apple store here. I hear there may be one soon. There are various people who contract with Apple to do repairs, so maybe I need to go to one of those. The question, then, is, how do I get Apple to pay. Since my computer is still under Apple Care and since I've had extended problems with it, they should, right?
Carolyn,
I didn't list all of the things that have been tried on it in the past four months...hard to remember. I had done the disk utility probably twice before. I did update to 10.4.11, as you suggested. How does this work with updating? Will Apple keep making updates to 10.4 even though they have 10. 5 out? Should I buy 10.5? It's been my feeling that since this particular computer has had so many problems I shouldn't spend any more money on it unless I am convinced it will continue working well (or begin working well) for a while.
I didn't understand all of your directions. I found the disk utility, although it wasn't listed under the finder menu bar. I" There is a Disk Utility application on your hard drive. Applications/Utilities.
"Were you suggesting running disk utility on the install disk? " Yes!
" There wasn't anything to select anywhere that said Utilities/Startup Disk. " Ok, when you boot from your restore disk, you hold down the C key until you see the Apple logo on your screen. An Installer window will open. Do not proceed with any installations. Instead, from the Menu Bar (very top of your screen), select Utilities/Startup. That will open the window where you can then select your MacintoshHD 10.4 icon and click Restart. Without doing this, your Mac doesn't know disk to boot from.
"Sorry, it's been a rough week. Maybe I'm not understanding something obvious." No problem. Sometimes you just have to sit back and take a deep breath, or call it a night and work on it in the morning. I understand ... these tasks can be daunting at times.
Carolyn