Archive for the ‘iMacs’ Category
MacMedics Case File: The Ikea Glass Desk Collapse
We just repaired a newer Apple iMac for a client that had it’s front glass broken. It looked like a pretty simple repair on the surface, as the iMac was still working. We asked the client what happened, and they informed us that their Ikea desk had collapsed and the iMac had fallen to the floor. We replaced the glass panel with no problem, but because the unit had fallen, we wanted check the hard drive too.
No big surprise there. When we checked it, the installed hard drive already had a quite a number of uncorrectable errors and was failing quickly.
We recommended that the hard drive also get replaced while it was here.
A scenario like the one above is never one that you would expect, but they do happen. Even in your own home, something could happen that puts your data in great jeopardy. If you look a few posts under this one, we recently blogged about a MacBook that was destroyed in a house fire in Pasadena, Maryland.
We highly recommend an off-site backup. Make a clone of your data and but it in your desk at work, or subscribe to an on-line back up and backup to the Cloud.
We work with Mozy and CrashPlan Pro, and those links can be found below.
Have You Ever Seen A Roach Infested iMac? Viewer Discretion Advised
Have you ever seen a roach infested iMac? We took care of this difficult repair a few months ago. The Apple Store refused to work on it, so they referred it to MacMedics.
As you can see the iMac was totally full of dead roaches.
We had to take the iMac completely apart to clean all of them out. When we were done, the unit was as good as new.
To start, we taped up all of the openings (the vent along the back, the SuperDrive slot, and the vents along hte bottom) and tied a black plastic bag over and let it sit for about 4 or 5 days.
Here are the pictures from when we opened the unit up. Viewer Discretion Advised
Ok, here it is, wait for it: This iMac had alot of “Computer Bugs”. (that was a joke)
iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program
Apple has determined that certain Seagate 1TB hard drives used in 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac systems may fail. These systems were sold between October 2009 and July 2011.
MacMedics, an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) will replace affected hard drives free of charge. Please check your iMac’s serial number to see if you qualify.
http://www.apple.com/support/imac-harddrive/
If you need your data transferred from your old hard drive to the new one, we will perform that for only $99.
Also, if your iMac does NOT have a Time Machine back up, you can buy a new Time Machine drive from us, and we’ll go ahead and run a backup for you for $40. That way, your data will be entirely backed up BEFORE we do anything with your iMac’s old hard drive that will need to be sent back to Apple.
If your iMac’s Seagate hard drive has “failed” and you also are eligible for this Apple Service program, MacMedics can put your failing hard drive into our Data Recovery program for $199. You can opt to have that recovered and repaired data dropped into a folder on your new hard drive at not extra charge. You can also have us “migrate” the recovered and repaired data back onto your new hard drive for an additional $99.
Contact your local MacMedics office if you have questions or concerns.
Our Take On The List: 9 Things We Wish We Did Before Our House Burned Down
In the shop, when I am advising MacMedics clients, I find myself going back to this blog post from www.younghouselove.com over and over when advising folks on backups: 9 Things We Wished We Did Before Our House Burned Down.
I’ve posted a recap with some of my own thoughts with an emphasis on backups and insurance.
We deal with clients almost everyday who have lost their data by way of hard drive failure, but lots of other clients, some who were even backed up, have lost their data in some other way.
Even if you don’t make it over to www.younghouselove.com, please take a minute to read these highlights with some MacMedics tips:
1. Subscribe to an online data backup service (The writer of the original story says: My external back up drive sat right next to my laptop in my office).
2. Keep passports in a safe deposit box. [MacMedics Pro Tip: Make copies as well, and store a digital copy in your new online backup service too! Dropbox might be a good place. Also when traveling copy medical docuemnts, drivers license, passport, and other fiels you might need onto an encrypted and password protected thumb drive.]
3. Take pictures of each room initially and update them as improvements are made (storing them somewhere offsite – like Flickr).
4. Take pictures and keep hyperlinks of all expensive purchases, including jewelry.
5. Hire an architect (my dad in our case) or use floorplanner.com to document each floor layout along with precise wall/ceiling measurements, each outlet, light switch, crown molding, other trim, type of flooring, any unique items to structure of property. [MacMedics Pro Tip: When you rebuild, the insurance company will try to pay the lowest amount by building things as basic as possible. By having a detailed floor plan with engineering plans along with pictures of each wall, you can force them to build it the way it was!]
6. Put phones in a consistent place each night. [MacMedics Pro Tip: iPhone is right there 24/7!]
7. Get fire ladders for any second floor bedrooms.
8. Scan each photo and receipt, again keeping them offsite, or on an online data backup service.
9. Do not be frugal with homeowner’s insurance. Spend the extra $50 per year for the most coverage. [MacMedics Pro Tip: Highly recommended! Buy a replacement policy rider for anything you have that is valuable. If your $3000 camera or computer system burns up, it’s going to be hard to get the full amount. Insurance might pay for $500 to $1000. Also, see SafeWare.com for computer insurance. If you don’t own your home, get renter’s insurance. It’s super cheap! Clothes are also not fully covered in most polices. If you had to replace every single piece of clothing your family owns, that could cost you $10,000 right there. Insurance will not cover all of that that.]
Links to MacMedics’ special pricing for Mozy.com and Crashplan.com
Great Macintosh Service Is What We’re All About. We Can’t Argue With A 5 Stars, 5 Mice, & 5 Apples Review!
We love helping our clients, and when it’s time to say good bye to your trusty Macintosh we’ll always consider all of the options and if a repair is not appropriate, we can transfer your data from the old Mac to a new one. We’ll recycle the old one for you as well. In some cases, your old, broken, or damaged Mac might even have trade in value which you can apply to a new Mac purchase or a repair.
Here’s a review that was posted by one of our Washington DC clients recently:
“My colleagues and I have been using MacMedics for years and love their service. Maybe because I haven’t had a broken screen but they have been great with all other repairs and assistance. They did thoughtfully advise me when it was time to pull the plug on my old and dropped iMac (it was time) and they graciously handled the funeral arrangements for it. Being able to recycle it for me was a plus. I can’t imagine going anywhere else for my Mac needs. I also give them 5 stars, 5 mice, and 5 Apples.”
Susie – Apr 20, 2012
Did You Know That We Love Fixing Macs For Our Clients? This Is How You Get Rave Reviews!
Here at MacMedics, we really, REALLY LOVE what we do, and we really enjoy helping clients with Macintosh problems. In many cases, these folks have already called someplace else, only to get the run around.
In some cases, the issue can be very simple and what looks like a complex problem, and be quickly solved on the spot.
See the Angie’s List review from just such a MacMedics client from 2/2/12:
I added a Seagate external hard drive to my iMac and by accident loaded some Windows based software onto my Apple computer. The end result was that I was unable to start my computer. I called several Computer Tech companies to help me and it was going to cost several hundred dollars to fix the problem and would take several days. Bad news, I needed the computer running immediately and paying several hundred dollars was not a good thing.
I decided to look for a local company that specialized in Apple computers and found MAC MEDICS. I called them and explained the issue and the tech person thought he knew how to fix the problem. He walked me through several steps over the telephone but could not get the computer to work. Unfortunately that meant I would have to bring the computer in. I got to the store later that day and the technician who helped me on the phone came out to take a look at the computer. Fortunately it was an easy fix and he got the computer running correctly. He explained that this was a common problem that he has seen from customers. How much did he charge me, $0.00!
Wow what a company! I will definitely use MAC MEDICS in the future. In fact I purchased from them an inexpensive service plan for this computer.
Here’s another Angie’s list review from 11/22/10:
In addition to doing an excellent job replacing my iMac’s hard drive, the owner, Dana Stibolt, spent a lot of time with me on the phone explaining my options. He worked me in that very day, and completed the work in less than two hours. I was very impressed. Although it was quite a drive from where I live, I would go there again should my iMac need service again.
There Is Really No Substitute For Accurate & Authorized Apple Service
There is really no substitute for accurate and authorized Apple repair service. Our talented and Apple Certified Macintosh techs solved another problem for two different Apple customers who both took the time to leave a 5-Star Review for both our Millersville and Lanham offices this week.
When you’re having issues with your Mac, please come visit our fully staffed and stocked offices in either Millersville or Lanham, Maryland. We’ll fix your Mac under Apple’s Limited Warranty or Apple’s extended warranty, AppleCare. Or, we can efficiently service your out of warranty, vintage, or obsolete Macintosh. When your Mac repair is complete, we’ll ensure you know everything you need to know in order to preserve and protect your valuable data and operate your computer successfully for as long as possible.
We love to help! So instead of making an appointment, trying to find parking, dealing with crowds, or having to worry about your data being erased, or having to deal with your computer being shipped away for repair, come see the Apple Certified Technicians at MacMedics.
Thanks to our customer, Mark, who had his Mac serviced in our Lanham office this week. Here’s his review from Yelp:
My Macintosh desktop computer had a complicated problem; part of the electronics had failed, while most individual components were fine. Since MacMedics is a certified Apple Service Provider and Reseller MacMedics correctly diagnosed the problem, which endless Apple phone support had been unable to do. The replacement part and labor were free, since my computer was still covered by the AppleCare Protection Plan. My computer now works better than when it was new. I also got some excellent technical advice on maintaining the computer, including information on back-up plans. I highly recommend MacMedics.
Mark
1/6/12
Also, thanks to our customer, Richard, who had his Mac serviced in our Millersville office this week. Here’s his review from Yelp.
Small repair. Done in a 15 minute walk up. Best service I have had in a long time. Highly recommend!
Richard
1/7/12
Sell Or Trade In Your Broken Mac, iPhone, iPod, Or iPad To MacMedics
MacMedics will accept your working, non-working, or damaged Apple hardware as a trade in credit towards a new Apple Macintosh computer, Apple iPad, and Apple iPod. You can also apply a trade in credit towards service on your existing Mac that might be in need of repairs or data recovery.
If you have broken or outdated gear just lying around, MacMedics will even purchase some broken, liquid damaged, or outdated Apple Computers, iPads, or iPods for cash. Older equipment, or units with extreme damage can be dropped off at either Millersville or Lanham for free e-waste recycling.
Both our Millersville and Lanham offices can accept stuff for trade. Call us at 1-866-MAC-MEDICS to discuss what you have and how it can be valued.
MacMedics Case File: iMac 27″ Shipping Mystery
This brand new iMac 27″ showed up from Apple here at MacMedics a few days ago. We heard a weird noise coming from inside the box. It took us a second to figure out what was going on.
See our video from YouTube for the details and the answer:
iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program
Apple has determined that a very small number of Seagate 1TB hard drives used in 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac systems, may fail under certain conditions. These systems were sold between May 2011 and July 2011.
Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) will replace affected hard drives free of charge.
Apple may contact you via email if you provided them with a valid email address when you registered your new iMac. Otherwise you can check your iMac’s serial number at this page to see if your hard drive should be replaced.
If you do have an affected 21″ or 27″ iMac, then, come see us at MacMedics to have it replaced free of charge.
If you are having issues in a 21″ or 27″ Late 2009 iMac with the fans running all the time, and you have a 500 GB or a 1TB hard drive, please give us a call. We might be able to help you with that problem.
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