First the "X" Key, Now the "H" Key

[MacInWin]

I think that for a one-time backup TM is fine. It only gets dodgy in two areas, in my experience: networked drives and long-time backups. Networked drives use sparsebundles, which seem to me to be a bit more fragile than backups with the drive directly attached. Long-time backups have long chains of links for files that don't change much and if one of those chains gets mucked up, the older, unchanged files/folders can get "lost" in the backup. But a new TM backup, made for a single purpose, is basically a clone, just like CCC or SD would make.

 

[Marrk]

And then just use Disk Utility.app (Utility folder) to Partition (one) and format (GUID and Mac HFS+) the drive.

PS: Don't forget you may need a USB adapter cable!!!

- Patrick
======

Before I Erase, I have to pick a Format. I have 4 choices. GUID and Mac HFS+ are not among them. How do you feel about Mac OS Extended (Journaled)?

 

[Marrk]

Did you read thru that long thread I linked you to? That thread is from the MacRumors forum and contains remarks from users and their experience with Apple and replacing the keyboard.

And another bit of advice.... Don't look aside at using CCC or SuperDuper to make a clone on your drive. Time Machine backups are fine and in fact they can be used to boot your machine via EFI but that involves a whole lot of work and it's hit and miss. Only you can decide how valuable your data and time is. ;D

I didn't read it. I skimmed through it quickly. I respect what you are saying, and I will read it. I'll make a clone. It's just going to eat up a bunch of time and money that I do not right now have.

 

[Slydude]

These directions should get you going in the right direction.

 

[ferrarr]

Mac OS Extended is perfect.

 

[Marrk]

These directions should get you going in the right direction.

Thanks, Sly. I read it, per your advice. Not sure I really understand "partitioning," but I'll stay on it.

 

[Marrk]

Finished!

The PNY Drive is formatted, and I have loaded everything onto that I wanted to load.

Once again, thanks to all for the help. You guys are awesome. You have always helped me, always solved my problems and always been generous and smart. I'm in your debt.

 

[Slydude]

Finished!

The PNY Drive is formatted, and I have loaded everything onto that I wanted to load.

Once again, thanks to all for the help. You guys are awesome. You have always helped me, always solved my problems and always been generous and smart. I'm in your debt.

Lucky for you I work cheap. lol.

Glad that got things sorted our for you.

I like to think of partitioning as similar to dividing up the space in a parking lot. If you have an area that is going to be used as a parking lot. You could create one parking lot (partition) or tow or more smaller lots (partitions) within the same area.The formatting (HFS+, NTFS, FAT32 etc) basically lays out the pattern how the parking spaces will be arranged on the lot.

 

[lclev]

I am late to this post but I will suggest once you get your mac fixed put a keyboard cover on it. I know it bites to have to cover your keyboard but it does keep dust out. I have a 2017 Macbook Pro and the first thing I did was cover the keyboard and so far it has worked. They make some very nice thin ones that you can not tell are on. They are not like older ones I have used that feel thick and I have ended up discarding. Just a suggestion.

This is the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0748DRB25/?tag=macforums0e4-20

When I got mine they sent me two - one was thicker and had the keys outlined in white and the other is totally clear. The totally clear one is the best. Not sure why they sent the first one.

Lisa

 

[Marrk]

I have an appointment with the Genius Bar for Monday. Frankly, I've been losing some sleep over this. I feel like I got burned by Apple this time, and if their fix is to replace the keyboard with a another one that is the exact same part, then they are playing me for a fool.

What are the chances that I could get my money back on a 6-month-old MBP?

 

[ferrarr]

What are the chances that I could get my money back on a 6-month-old MBP?

It depends on everything you do and say to support your case. Stay calm and remember they have a job to do. If you can keep the tone down, and express (document too) your concerns, the outcome may work for you.

Maybe a whole new Mac, which you could sell and where you wouldn't lose all your investment?

 

[Marrk]

It depends on everything you do and say to support your case. Stay calm and remember they have a job to do. If you can keep the tone down, and express (document too) your concerns, the outcome may work for you.

Maybe a whole new Mac, which you could sell and where you wouldn't lose all your investment?

I agree.

Document ow?

 

[ferrarr]

Maybe the article about the lawsuits? If you previously had them look at it, and they said it was not defective paperwork?

It took me three times of having the motherboard replaced in my MBP, before I got a new one.

 

[Marrk]

Maybe the article about the lawsuits? If you previously had them look at it, and they said it was not defective paperwork?

It took me three times of having the motherboard replaced in my MBP, before I got a new one.

Indeed, I already printed out te link from tis thread and was planning on bringing it wit me.

 

[ferrarr]

I don't know if a forum thread will hold as much weight, as an article about the class action lawsuits will, especially, if they include links to court filings?

 

[pm-r]

Lucky for you I work cheap. lol.

Lucky for them you haven't got any big hats to wear otherwise your rates would no doubt be much much higher Sly.

PS: Re the recent MacBook sticky keys, a fixit video I was watching the other day that apparently works shows a fellow using what seems to be a thin plastic guitar pick and moving it vertically around all sides of the keys and between the very narrow space between the keyboard, then using a blast of compressed air.

Personally if I was to be faced with a $700 repair bill, I would be doing the same thing or similar, but would probably use a cut down metal feeler gauge strip that one could purchase a set for $5-$10. Use the feeler strip that slides between the key and case best and use it vertically around the edge off each key, or at least maybe just around the sticky keys.

I would imagine lot of grunge builds up around the keys for some users, especially due to the lack of travel that is typical of the newer butterfly keys.

PS: thin metal feeler gauge strips can be cut to shape if needed with tin snips or strong kitchen scissors.

I think I would be tempted to also use a light spray of dry teflon lubricant.

The alternative of A $700 repair would not appeal to me thank you very much, but some care and common sense would need to be used as well. I'm told those type keys are quite delicate.



- Patrick
======

 

[Marrk]

@ferrarr: This tread ---> https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...in-recent-macbook-macbook-pro-models.2119893/


You may be right. I'll see if I can do some googling. But tec issues of this kind are going to be reported in online venues, not print media (or so I believe).

 

[Marrk]

Lucky for them you haven't got any big hats to wear otherwise your rates would no doubt be much much higher Sly.

PS: Re the recent MacBook sticky keys, a fixit video I was watching the other day that apparently works shows a fellow using what seems to be a thin plastic guitar pick and moving it vertically around all sides of the keys and between the very narrow space between the keyboard, then using a blast of compressed air.

Personally if I was to be faced with a $700 repair bill, I would be doing the same thing or similar, but would probably use a cut down metal feeler gauge strip that one could purchase a set for $5-$10. Use the feeler strip that slides between the key and case best and use it vertically around the edge off each key, or at least maybe just around the sticky keys.

I would imagine lot of grunge builds up around the keys for some users, especially due to the lack of travel that is typical of the newer butterfly keys.

PS: thin metal feeler gauge strips can be cut to shape if needed with tin snips or strong kitchen scissors.

I think I would be tempted to also use a light spray of dry teflon lubricant.

The alternative of A $700 repair would not appeal to me thank you very much, but some care and common sense would need to be used as well. I'm told those type keys are quite delicate.



- Patrick
======

Let me ask you tis: Would you do it if the repair were free? I'm not happy about having someone crack open a new $3,000 laptop to do a repair of any kind.

 

[chscag]

Let me ask you tis: Would you do it if the repair were free? I'm not happy about having someone crack open a new $3,000 laptop to do a repair of any kind.

I think it would be a mistake NOT to allow Apple to do the repair if it was for free. You not only get the repair on the record but if in the future the keyboard should fail again, you have Apple's own repair records to refer to.

All of this might not even be necessary since the Apple pundits seem to agree that Apple is going to address the keyboard problem with a blanket recall repair similiar to the way they have handled others in the past.

Having said all of the above and the many opinions here, I believe you should make an appointment with Apple and start the process. That's what I would do but of course it's your money and time. Both of which are valuable. ;D

 

[Marrk]

@ chscag: Te sarcasm in your tone is duly noted, sir. (I like sarcasm. )

Seriously, I agree with you. It's just something that has to be done, and it doesn't really matter ow pissed off I am about it.

N.B. "Blanket recall"? You mean like that fine job they did on the iPhone battery issue?