Did I just stumble upon a new Finder feature in Leopard?
Screenshot from my.yahoo.com’s RSS reader – RSS Feed from Apple.com Hotnews.
The day before the link lead to a HowTo on Apple’s site on how to UPLOAD files to an FTP server via the Finder! Now it leads to a “Not found” page.
Unfortunately I didn’t take a screen shot of the HowTo as I didn’t think it was significant at the time. Damnit!
FTP Uploading via Finder coming in Leopard?
(Previously you could only download)
[Updated! See below.]
[Originally published at DTGeeks.com]
I woke up one day to a super-heated PowerBook that was practically glued to the desk by it’s rubber feet. Also heard a buzzing noise coming from the speakers.
I unplugged it, removed the battery, reset PRAM – no dice.
Took it to CompUSA who shipped it directly to Apple – few days later I got the call that my PowerBook was back and ready! Yay!
I insisted on checking it out while there, I noticed it was asleep, but since the battery does not hold much of a charge I asked to borrow a power supply incase it was about to cut out. Plug it in, open it up and see the desktop! YES!!! They fixed it!!! But that was a very short-lived victory as the screen then went black and heard that same buzzing noise… noooo!!!!!
It goes straight back to Apple, who then notifies me that nothing was done to the computer as it was “obvious abuse� WHAT!!! Wait, how on earth do you explain that it was asleep and at the desktop when I got it back! YOU DID SOMETHING!!! IT WORKED WHILE YOU HAD IT!!! Now that the fix did not last beyond 3 seconds you now blame me???
But, abuse? How? I was told by Apple that because of the dent near the power port, the metal casing was pushed into the logicboard, causing a short-circuit damaging the logicboard… I felt bad, as much as I protected my PowerBook, it did have a small dent, and I sadly accepted that it must be my fault – Apple said so. And it’s not covered by AppleCare.
I had mixed emotions, it was obvious that they had it working! But I was losing the battle and they kept reinforcing that it was abuse and that the dent on the case by the power-port caused the short.
I kept the corpse of my valued partner who provided me with nothing but loyal service with hardly a complaint – it was everything to me, my desktop, my work computer, my play computer, my network troubleshooting aide… I couldn’t replace it. I wouldn’t buy another metal laptop, especially not from apple, I swore. I was made to feel it was it was my fault – but I couldn’t help to feel it was also a design flaw. I mean – metal, no protection against it touching the circuit board?
Time went by, and now I really, really need a laptop, BAD!!! But I can’t afford it, I’m neck-deep in debt! Get a cheap Dell and try to get some form of Linux running on it? I mean, yeah – it’s cheap and practically “disposableâ€?, but I was made to feel that that was also the case with Apple PowerBooks – just a lot more expensive.
Out of desperation I looked around for options, and finally decide that, since I have nothing else to lose – to look and see if the problem can be repaired.
I was shocked, appalled and felt betrayed by what was found! And here I submit to you the evidence… Is it really my fault?
Well, now, as you can see in these pictures – what I was told by Apple now seems to not be true! While it is not visible that the case was pushed in at all, if it is – it would be pushed into an open space where there is nothing bur air – the logic board is no where near the case’s edge, As you can see by the network port – there is plenty of space!
This seems like an obvious logic board failure that Apple is trying to deny and coverup by accusing me of abuse.
[Update 4/24/07]
I took it back to CompUSA, showed them what I had found, and they agreed it was Apple’s responsibility to repair it as what I was originally told was not true.
I finally got tired of waiting and bought a MacBook.
Some time passes and I get a call that Apple is denying repair because it was brought in for service a couple of days before the warranty expired. But CompUSA would keep arguing with them about it.
I finally get a call from CompUSA that my powerbook was ready! working like a champ. Wait… what??? Really??? This has got to be a prank call!
I go to look at it, and sure enough! Fired up like a champ and works beautifully.
The tech told me that Apple refused to fix it, that they went ahead and did the repair themselves.
And, here’s the punchline…
It was never the motherboard that failed! It was the optical drive! They replaced it and it worked! The tech told me it was a common issue with 12″ PowerBooks. Replace the optical drive and presto!
Alas, I already had a MacBook… so I sold the PowerBook and it’s new owner is a happy Apple switcher! 
Thanks CompUSA! And goodbye! 
