Repair Articles on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Purported pics of next-gen iPhone front face surface

by Chris Rawson (Feb 8th, 2010)

iResQ, the iPhone/iPod repair site, has posted pics of what they claim is the front faceplate of the next-gen iPhone. Two things about this piece of hardware are particularly interesting. First, the part is approximately 1/4 of an inch taller than the iPhone 3GS, indicative of a slightly taller form ...

Why is there a progress bar when my Mac is starting up?

by Josh Carr (Dec 16th, 2009)

Update: As several of our commenters pointed out, the OS is probably running the fsck utility in the background to repair directory problems, while showing the progress bar to the end user so they know there's something going on (fsck can take quite a while). Here's an older Apple support article ...

Mac 101: Building a bootable diagnostic and repair flash drive

by David Winograd (Dec 2nd, 2009)

More Mac 101, our tips and tricks for novice Mac users. Update: You cannot install Snow Leopard on an 8 GB flash drive. I was incorrect in writing that an install of Essential System Software would take 3.81 GB. As a few of our commenters pointed out, and as is the case, in testing I erroneously ...

Think those warranty parts are new? Think again

by Josh Carr (Nov 1st, 2009)

We received a question from one of our readers earlier this week that made me cringe, cower in fear, and heavily debate posting the answer. He had just been to the Genius Bar and they had replaced his under-warranty iPhone for a hardware issue. He then asked us what the quality of said iPhone would ...

Connecticut man consults Apple Genius and gets arrested

by Mel Martin (Aug 25th, 2009)

Editor's Note: Some comments to this post suggest that TUAW is "giving advice to pedophiles" by reminding readers that sensitive information could be read or copied by service technicians when you bring your Mac in for repair. While one assumes (present example to the contrary) that people who keep ...

Ice-T repairs a Mac, his way

by Mike Schramm (Aug 7th, 2009)

I don't think this is anything I would have ever asked to see, personally, but now that it's here, I can't look away. Above, you can click through to see a NSFW (language) video of the star of stage and screen, Ice-T, doing some "repairs" on a broken PowerBook -- the kinds of "repairs" you can ...

Apple Stores will replace broken iPhone displays

by Dave Caolo (Jul 6th, 2009)

Apple's service options for iPhones have improved since 2007. Back then, long-term repairs meant traveling to an Apple Store and paying the $29US fee for a loaner. Later that month, Apple released the Apple Care Protection Plan for iPhone. Among other things, this plan extends technical support to ...

Don't panic: Liquid damage, and what to do about it

by Robert Palmer (May 12th, 2009)

We've all had an "oh poopie" moment involving liquids: Time slows down, you watch as the glass tips over, its contents cascading (beautifully, in another context perhaps) over the rim and onto the table. The rivulets of beverage roll in a miniscule tidal wave across the surface, over the edge, and ...

The case for AppleCare

by Robert Palmer (Dec 22nd, 2008)

With the holidays approaching, I know more than one family will be getting a new Mac. Many first time buyers whom I've guided through the purchase of their first Mac ask me, "is AppleCare worth it?" For your new Mac, absolutely; I speak from first-hand experience. Now, I'm a pretty capable guy. I ...

Tracking the mysterious 'black stick'

by Robert Palmer (Jun 20th, 2008)

In its hardware repair instructions and videos, Apple frequently mentions the "black stick," a plastic tool that can be used to pry things apart without damaging our precious glossy exterior finishes (or the sensitive electronics inside). The problem I've found is that nobody seems to have these, ...

To buy AppleCare or not?

by Cory Bohon (Mar 6th, 2008)

Most people are split on the decision to buy an extended warranty on their electronic devices. Some think it's the best "accessory" that you can buy for your gear, while others think it's a total waste of money. Speaking from my personal experience with AppleCare support -- it has been a worthwhile ...

Found Footage: MacBook Pro HDD Replacement

by Brett Terpstra (Feb 4th, 2008)

I had to replace the hard drive in my MacBook Pro a few months ago. If you've never done it, I can tell you that after over 20 screws, a little prying and pulling and then reassembling with your fingers crossed, there's probably a moment of stomach-turning worry when you hit the power button. But ...

Apple limits iPhone service to AT&T account holders

by Erica Sadun (Oct 15th, 2007)

If you buy an iPhone and don't have AT&T service, it looks like Apple will be treating your iPhone as an iPod--with no 2 year service guarantee or even, for that matter, a 90-day service plan. Jake Dugard cancelled his iPhone account receiving poor AT&T reception. When his phone stopped ...

Replacement iPhone battery kit

by Mat Lu (Jul 31st, 2007)

Our pals at Engadget have turned up what appears to be the first third-party iPhone battery replacement kit. It comes from Brando, a Hong Kong company that is reasonably well known in the mobile accessories aftermarket. The kit includes the instructions, a screwdriver, a case opener, and the ...

iResQ will remove your iPhone's camera

by Dave Caolo (Jul 4th, 2007)

If you've got an iPhone, but for whatever reason - you're in the military or you've got some sort of weird phobia - you need to have the camera removed, you're in luck. For just a hundred bucks, iResQ will do the job for you. The fee covers 3-way shipping (a box to you, then iPhone to iResQ and back ...