Apple extends warranty coverage on flawed 2008 Time Capsules

This past year has witnessed some quite serious backward steps for Apple hardware products. The most recent iPhone 4 is a serious case in point. Interestingly, there have been no slip-ups in terms of Apple software products. TMV questions whether this could be associated with the FACT that reliability of Apple hardware products is increasingly becoming an issue for consumers.

More on this here: http://www.themusicvoid.com/2010/08/is-music-industry-reliance-on-unreliable-apple-products-sustainable/

I just received my replacement TC from FedEx a few minutes ago and the new TC's serial is still within the recall range. So this one is guaranteed to go bad too.

Does anybody know if you have to have an active applecare protection on one of your Mac's to be able to take advantage of this extended warranty replacement that they are offering?

The reason I ask is that we had our 1/2 TB device fail on us suffering from the same sudden death issue that this document talks about, and sure enough after checking the serial number falls within that range. I called Apple Support here in Australia - they had no idea what I was talking about, even after directing them to the apple support website, still no luck. Of course he mentioned that if one of our computers was covered by apple care it wouldn't be a problem, it would just get replaced but our computers are no longer covered by Applecare. His suggestion was to take it to an authorised repairer because they "get filled in on these updates quicker than they do". Hmmm, that one doesn't make sense to me?!?

It seems to me that we don't seem to recieve the same level of service her in Australia as over there in the USA as far as this sort of thing is concerned. Anyway, time to make an appointment with a Genius I think to see if we can get our unit exchanged.

I had an out of warranty 1/2 TB model go bad a few months back, I called Apple and they replaced it at no charge. Problem, all the data was gone and I think Apple should have warned its customers about the problem as soon as they knew about it. According to the Apple tech, there's a range of serial numbers that indicate something bad is going to happen. A matter of time before disaster, and then Apple will act if and only if you call to complain.

I just got off the phone with Apple and was told that they will not replace a time capsule if it has not failed. "The computer won't let me do it" was what the senior specialist told me (I love how they hide behind that crap). So it appears that it isn't so much of a recall as it is a replacement program for actual failed devices. The scary thing is that this is billed as a primary and all inclusive backup solution... the fact that mine could die any day at any time makes me not want to use it.

The only saving grace is that technically *any* backup solution *could* fail and it is somewhat unlikely to fail when your computer is also toast so if the TimeCapsule does fail Apple will promptly replace it and let you keep the old one (this is what was told to me on the phone again by the senior dude) and so you can take both TimeCapsules into the Apple Store and have them swap the hard drives so you can get at your data.

He assured me that the failures that are happening do NOT ruin the data on the drive or the drive itself... so for now, I guess I just have to believe them and hope for the best. I have had my TimeCapsule for over 2 years now and it's never given me any problems. Hopefully that will continue to be the case (knock on wood).

wow ! thank you taaw ! just arranged my appointment in an apple store to get this fixed. would not have known if it wasn,t for you !!!!

Note to self: Don't try fixing your TIme Capsule with a DIY Hack just before Apple presents a global recall.

They could have done this about 6 months ago. I'm not gonna say "Thanks Apple", b/c I hate when people say that.

Apple says they'll have a replacement here by tomorrow or Wednesday. I would expect no less. Another good reason why I switched ab't 4 years back.

Like Gravy, I expect a refurb - that's probably what you got BTW.

I'll leave mine in the box untouched and either sell it on the local Craig's List or use it as a trade-in at PowerMax for my next iMac. When the next iMac upgrade comes out.

This happened to me last month and Apple replaced the Time Capsule for free. The replacement is still within the above-mentioned range. What should I do?

Great. Timing is everything.

Mine falls within the appropriate s/n - and failed a month ago. Except I've already replaced it on my own since it was well outside the normal warranty period.

Oh well, I'll call in and see what happens.