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- Dec 29, 2011
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Here is the feedback im giving during/after my repair at the local apple store US:
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Title: Repair Feedback
Model: iMac (20-INCH MID 2007)
Overview: Replaced HD - Cannot keep original - Apple unable to test outside of iMac - LCD damage from previous replacement - HD failure caused by bootcamp utility twice now, not the user
Feedback: I require Windows for many tasks, and have used parallels/virtuals and boot partitions alike on PC’s and Mac. I purchased the iMac Intel for the ability of being able to run both Windows and OSX on 2 separate partitions, and was told by the representative that this is an advertised feature of OSX/intel iMacs.
I will continue to explain my experience with my iMac Intel and its HD Bootcamp Utility. I had this same issue with the previous HD (factory) shortly after purchasing the iMac in late 2007. The Bootcamp partition utility was named the cause of the hard drive damage (corruption), I lost all personal data and was given another hard drive under warranty. I did not check the computer screen and trusted the genius who told me it was fine. After taking it home and turning it on, I noticed the dim/discolored bottom left corner, obviously caused by the repair made that day.
I live far from your store and did not take it back to complain/get LCD replaced under 90 day warranty of HD repair. The corner LCD slowly got worse/dimmer over time. After researching how to replace the hard drive on an iMac, I noticed others had similar damage in size/location/texture on their screen after prying off the last corner during removal. I have to believe this is what happened to mine.
I did not use Bootcamp utility / partitions after that. To this day, I still feel if I had the ability/confidence to get the hard drive out myself, or keep it after you take out; and format/partition it, I would not have needed a new hard drive, and probably have a fully functional screen.
After updating to Lion ($40 later) this last month, I wanted/needed to RE-install Windows because my Windows partition would no longer boot (a common issue with people who updated). Sure enough, after using Bootcamp Utility to restore/re-partition, my HD failed, and could no longer boot to either partition / CD / start(up) manager. According the genius I spoke with, the reason I'm unable to get to the start manager (option) or boot to a disk (c) is because my hard drive was in such a state, that it was overloading the start manager, stopping it from responding to any boot commands. Even though, I was able to get to target disk mode at my house before I left with it (didn't have another Mac to use), but after powering on in Mac store, it would no longer respond to any boot commands, including target disk mode.
I am familiar with Bios/Firmware boot management utilities on PC and Mac Intel EFI, and I guarantee I can boot to disk on any PC model bios regardless of the hard drive's state (plugged in or not). For an Intel iMac to rely on a working HD to boot to a disk or manager is ridiculous and I find hard to believe. The genius assured me there was no way for them (repair team) to test / format / partition the hard drive outside of the iMac once it was removed. He did not have access to an external HD enclosure OR another computer that it could be put into (G4 or desktop Mac) so as to partition/test/re-install.
The genius then removed the hard drive and was able to hold option and get to start manager / boot to disk. This proved his theory of it being the hard drive which is stopping the start manager. I then asked if I may keep the hard drive out so that I can format / partition / test (because apparently apple doesn't have the ability to format/test/install hard drives outside of its original computer), and he informed me, the only way I can get/keep/test my hard drive, is to pay $50 for labor to remove, and then another $50 to put back in (after I format it). I was also told that if I wanted it replaced, I would not be able to keep it. Even though I'm sure they can put in hard drives to empty iMacs, so why can't I keep mine?
The genius also mentioned if I didn't want them to fix it, and I wanted to keep my HD, I can take it to a third party. But if apple can damage my screen during repair, I definitely don't want to go to a third party for this type of thing. So I assumed they would be careful and make sure it was a new hard drive (and not just a format) that was needed.
So if I wanted my iMac to work at all, I have to lose my data AND my HD and pay $230 for a new hard drive that we are not even sure is required. And I can't prove I didn't need it because I'm unable to keep HD and you are a unable to format outside of iMac.
This happened right before the holidays (dropped off on Friday) and I needed my computer working to keep in touch with family and make Christmas cards. I was told it would only take 1 business day to fix, which I thought would have been Monday.
It is now Thursday and I am looking for a little credit. I am asking as a dedicated Mac consumer, you hear my plea, and discount the hard drive / labor, or let me keep my hard drive (free of an additional cost), or replace the screen, which I hope was not additionally damaged due to the removal of over 4 times now.
I have limited expenses for my second repair. I know this issue was caused by Bootcamp utility, not the user. Please understand my situation and help me in any way possible.
****************************
How can a hard drive stop EFI firmware/BIOS from loading start manager (option) or booting to a disk (c)?? come on?
I'm Hoping for the best, any thoughts or recommendations? It cant just be the HD...
NOTE: Do not recommend to take the thing apart myself... i seen youtube breakdowns and that stuff don't look like fun.
******************************
Title: Repair Feedback
Model: iMac (20-INCH MID 2007)
Overview: Replaced HD - Cannot keep original - Apple unable to test outside of iMac - LCD damage from previous replacement - HD failure caused by bootcamp utility twice now, not the user
Feedback: I require Windows for many tasks, and have used parallels/virtuals and boot partitions alike on PC’s and Mac. I purchased the iMac Intel for the ability of being able to run both Windows and OSX on 2 separate partitions, and was told by the representative that this is an advertised feature of OSX/intel iMacs.
I will continue to explain my experience with my iMac Intel and its HD Bootcamp Utility. I had this same issue with the previous HD (factory) shortly after purchasing the iMac in late 2007. The Bootcamp partition utility was named the cause of the hard drive damage (corruption), I lost all personal data and was given another hard drive under warranty. I did not check the computer screen and trusted the genius who told me it was fine. After taking it home and turning it on, I noticed the dim/discolored bottom left corner, obviously caused by the repair made that day.
I live far from your store and did not take it back to complain/get LCD replaced under 90 day warranty of HD repair. The corner LCD slowly got worse/dimmer over time. After researching how to replace the hard drive on an iMac, I noticed others had similar damage in size/location/texture on their screen after prying off the last corner during removal. I have to believe this is what happened to mine.
I did not use Bootcamp utility / partitions after that. To this day, I still feel if I had the ability/confidence to get the hard drive out myself, or keep it after you take out; and format/partition it, I would not have needed a new hard drive, and probably have a fully functional screen.
After updating to Lion ($40 later) this last month, I wanted/needed to RE-install Windows because my Windows partition would no longer boot (a common issue with people who updated). Sure enough, after using Bootcamp Utility to restore/re-partition, my HD failed, and could no longer boot to either partition / CD / start(up) manager. According the genius I spoke with, the reason I'm unable to get to the start manager (option) or boot to a disk (c) is because my hard drive was in such a state, that it was overloading the start manager, stopping it from responding to any boot commands. Even though, I was able to get to target disk mode at my house before I left with it (didn't have another Mac to use), but after powering on in Mac store, it would no longer respond to any boot commands, including target disk mode.
I am familiar with Bios/Firmware boot management utilities on PC and Mac Intel EFI, and I guarantee I can boot to disk on any PC model bios regardless of the hard drive's state (plugged in or not). For an Intel iMac to rely on a working HD to boot to a disk or manager is ridiculous and I find hard to believe. The genius assured me there was no way for them (repair team) to test / format / partition the hard drive outside of the iMac once it was removed. He did not have access to an external HD enclosure OR another computer that it could be put into (G4 or desktop Mac) so as to partition/test/re-install.
The genius then removed the hard drive and was able to hold option and get to start manager / boot to disk. This proved his theory of it being the hard drive which is stopping the start manager. I then asked if I may keep the hard drive out so that I can format / partition / test (because apparently apple doesn't have the ability to format/test/install hard drives outside of its original computer), and he informed me, the only way I can get/keep/test my hard drive, is to pay $50 for labor to remove, and then another $50 to put back in (after I format it). I was also told that if I wanted it replaced, I would not be able to keep it. Even though I'm sure they can put in hard drives to empty iMacs, so why can't I keep mine?
The genius also mentioned if I didn't want them to fix it, and I wanted to keep my HD, I can take it to a third party. But if apple can damage my screen during repair, I definitely don't want to go to a third party for this type of thing. So I assumed they would be careful and make sure it was a new hard drive (and not just a format) that was needed.
So if I wanted my iMac to work at all, I have to lose my data AND my HD and pay $230 for a new hard drive that we are not even sure is required. And I can't prove I didn't need it because I'm unable to keep HD and you are a unable to format outside of iMac.
This happened right before the holidays (dropped off on Friday) and I needed my computer working to keep in touch with family and make Christmas cards. I was told it would only take 1 business day to fix, which I thought would have been Monday.
It is now Thursday and I am looking for a little credit. I am asking as a dedicated Mac consumer, you hear my plea, and discount the hard drive / labor, or let me keep my hard drive (free of an additional cost), or replace the screen, which I hope was not additionally damaged due to the removal of over 4 times now.
I have limited expenses for my second repair. I know this issue was caused by Bootcamp utility, not the user. Please understand my situation and help me in any way possible.
****************************
How can a hard drive stop EFI firmware/BIOS from loading start manager (option) or booting to a disk (c)?? come on?
I'm Hoping for the best, any thoughts or recommendations? It cant just be the HD...
NOTE: Do not recommend to take the thing apart myself... i seen youtube breakdowns and that stuff don't look like fun.