A few months ago my beloved MacBook Air, circa 2012, started acting up. It finally got to the point where I couldn’t use it for more than about 30 minutes before it would conk out. When I tried to reboot it, the screen was a very ominous-looking gray background with an icon of a folder with a question mark. A quick search revealed that this may not be a good thing.
So for the first time in several years, I used my school-issued Windows laptop to teach my classes this past Spring and early Summer. It was fine; it got the job done, but I really missed my MacBook.
But once I was finished teaching my Summer classes, I made an appointment to go to the Genius Bar at the local Apple store. I wasn’t optimistic going in, so I prepared myself for any bad news they might tell me.
The first person I spoke with let me know that since the laptop was so old (nine years is old??), that if it needed work, they would not be able to service it at their store because they do not keep the parts in stock.
They first ran some diagnostics on it, and no particular problem was discovered; the hard drive seemed fine as did the battery.
Then another technician came by and said there was the possibility that there was a loose screw inside the laptop that could be causing the problem, so he said he would check it out in the back.
A few minutes later he came back and said that he wasn’t sure if this was the problem, but the inside of the laptop was completely filled with dust and dirt. He said he gave it a thorough cleaning and told me to see if it made a difference.
The cost for all that help? $0.00.
It’s been a week now, and I’ve been using my MacBook every day, and it’s worked like a charm.
I am quite grateful to the geniuses at the Apple store.
Now I just have to make sure that I keep it cleaner, and stop eating chips and other snacks while using it.
Who knew that a little bit of dirt could have had such an impact on the operation of a laptop, and that getting it cleaned would lead to a healthier diet…
Nice of them not to charge you, but you could have at least given them a bag of chips. And if food hurts computers, why are they made by Apple? But I’m just glad you didn’t try my method for repairing defective laptops. I hurl them to the floor and then stomp on them, while screaming and yelling. So far, this has never worked.
LikeLiked by 7 people
I’m known for throwing mine at walls, with results similar to yours and bonus wall damage.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Darn. The floor is always better. Floors don’t break easily. Windows are the worst.
LikeLiked by 3 people
how about a sledgehammer?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are always good for the “need a bigger hammer” type of fixes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
π
LikeLiked by 1 person
as long as it’s not your wall, that seems like a reasonable approach… π
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was usually my bedroom or living room wall.
Waaaay back in 1981, in my first computer lab at college, I was working on homework in the middle of the night when another student yelled, spit on his pc, and walked out. I fully understood!
LikeLiked by 1 person
you were a trailblazer; I think that was the year PCs first came out! andin many ways they are just as frustrating now as they were 30 years ago…
LikeLike
We used 11″ floppies!!
My dad was a mainframe eng for IBM. I keypunched as a kid. That university class was Basic. Not Visual Basic but plain Basic. I distinctly remember the night my dad said, “someone made an app to make a pc work like a gawd damn mac!” That was windows.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep one of those 11″ floppies in my office, as well as the progressively smaller ones, to show my students.
I grew up around big computers as well, since my dad was a computer operator for a large publishing company.
And I remember keypunch machines, although I never had to use one, but I do remember taking a course in basic in the late 1970s, and I loved it…
I remember my dad complaining about having to take a “user” focus…
LikeLike
Lol. I didn’t think to save a history of floppies. I’m glad you did! Hardly anyone knows about the 11″ ones!
I was prob 6yrs old when my dad started taking me to weekend calls and letting me keypunch for fun. I remember having a template of a heart shape and knowing how to input that to create hundreds of copies. I also had a bunch of “printer art”, where people programmed mainframes to print pictures via alpha characters. I wish I still had them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, my dad would bring home those pintouts of famous people using alpha characters…
the good old days…
LikeLike
He must have said “program”… no one used “app” back then!
Our first IBM PC AT, with employee discount, cost over $3,000…in the late 70s! And it couldn’t do a damn thing. I was furious because what we really needed was an electric memory typewriter.
Speaking of which, last night I saw keyboards that look like old typewriters. Freakin $200+!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
true about the app!
our first PC was an AT&T, with a color monitor. it came with two floppy drives and a whopping 20 meg hard drive, which I thought would be more than I would ever need…
LikeLike
LOL!!
Our monitor was the generic black with green text. I’m guessing it was 8k.
I can recall searching terms in the 90s and amazing everyone with the term Terabyte… that much memory was unfathomable!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
getting a color monitor was my top priority; I was tired of the green text…
and now we can fit a few terabytes onto a keychain…
LikeLike
I remember going to buy my friend a replacement keyboard and thinking the $17.99 stickers were wrong because I was used to them costing over $100!
“They” point out that our phones now have substantially more memory than the first lunar craft.
LikeLiked by 1 person
you gotta love technology!
LikeLike
Maybe a healthy snack may have been better, but blogging and healthy snacks don’t go together.
and maybe next time you have a defective computer, just try the screaming and yelling. It works well with people…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve been known to hurl curses at Bill Gates. It hasn’t helped my computer, but it does help me feel better.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’d gladly take $100 billion in exchange for people cursing me all day…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. But in lieu of that, I’ll just curse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
cursing is the next best option…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe the problem is that their is a screw loose, like they first told Jim. But in your situation the loose screw wouldn’t have to do with your computer. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Strange, that’s the same thing they’ve been telling me at our local computer repair shop.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I knew it! See, how smart I be! π
LikeLiked by 2 people
π
LikeLike
You should be a computer repair technician.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess I missed my calling!
LikeLiked by 2 people
No, nobody’s calling you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
“haha!”
LikeLiked by 2 people
there might be a danger of wine being spilled on the computers…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Or caramel lattes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes, something is going to be spilled…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Heyy…who says I would spill it? π
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The Effects of Alcohol on Hand-Eye Coordination” by Dr. Obvious… π
LikeLike
Pfffttt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your unicorn made my reply go to the bottom again!
I wouldn’t spill it thats what lids are for. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
My unicorn had nothing to do with your incompetence. Your unwillingness to take responsibility for your errors, combined with your incompetence, leaves me to conclude that you would leave the lid loose on your caramel latte, then spill it all over Jim’s laptop, and then blame a unicorn.
LikeLiked by 2 people
πΆπ€!
Oh help!
LikeLiked by 2 people
two smacks in one day!!!!
LikeLike
I wonder what’s worse for a laptop, wine or a caramel latte?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve gotta go with the caramel. It really gums things up. And it causes cavities.
LikeLiked by 2 people
but the alcohol could cause the CPU to make some bad decisions…
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s okay. Most CPUs are connected to designated drivers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clever! π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Rolling my eyes!
LikeLiked by 2 people
it was a pretty good line though…
LikeLike
LOL! Yeah, yeah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
π€
LikeLiked by 1 person
…mmm…! And let me point out again that I have no cavities. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
I didn’t say you did. My, aren’t you self-conscious.
LikeLiked by 2 people
me thinks the lady doth protest too much…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just clarifying thats all! π
LikeLiked by 2 people
ever?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope not ever! Nada, zilch! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
that is quite impressive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, my siblings were never.as impressed about it as I was. LOL!π
But actually if I ever do get a cavity I will probably be the biggest baby for I have no idea what a shot of novacaine feels like!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think your siblings were just jealous.
maybe along with the Novacaine you can get laughing gas…
LikeLike
Haha!! Brad would have fun with seeing me on laughing gas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
can you imagine the posts you could write while on laughing gas?
LikeLike
That could be scary!βΊ
LikeLiked by 1 person
π€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh! You all are still discussing this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m always behind on my replies, just like with paying my bills…
LikeLiked by 1 person
those unicorns must have some sort of comment ranking algorithm…
LikeLiked by 1 person
See, it is the unicorns, you agree with me! Of course its obvious that their comment ranking is messed up though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s built into the DNA of a unicorn to separate the good from the bad; it’s not even a conscious decision…
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHA!
LikeLiked by 1 person
π
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Funnny!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess there’s an epidemic of loose screws going around…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Perhaps that’s because there’s a shortage of screwdrivers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that is certainly still a possibility; I wonder where I can get something like that checked? π
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think there is a special type of Dr that specializes in “loose screws”, call one of them. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just found a doctor named Philip Head; I wonder if I should give him a call…
LikeLiked by 2 people
πΆπ!
LikeLiked by 2 people
YES!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ooooh the things that make you happy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
π€
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure nine years is way more than the average user. Now you got the MacBook Air off of death row, what will you do for an encore? Maybe it’s time to break out the old clown act.
LikeLiked by 3 people
that would require more than just a deep cleaning… π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the post. I wonder if that’s the cause of my 9yr old notebook pc having issues. Unlike you, I can’t find anyone to look at it for less than $75. I’m gonna take it to the office and open it myself (doing so at home guarantees a ton of cat fur being added to the interior).
LikeLiked by 1 person
you’re braver than me. I’ve opened desktops before, but never a laptop…
I hope it helps…
LikeLike
Thanks. I have a replacement battery ready to go. I’ll backup first. I already bought a replacement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I made sure to do a backup as well before I brought it in for repair…
LikeLike
Iβm sure your Mac will be much more healthy and have a longer life on a balanced diet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s my hope!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great customer service sells your product better than any feature or function ever can. I would be too sacred of breaking something to open it and clean it myself. Did you tell them your Mac is a vegan?
LikeLiked by 2 people
the genius bar, to me, is one of Apple’s key selling points. And there was no way I would try to open my MacBook. They could probably figure out my snacking habits once they had a look inside π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good stuff Jim! Suburban Square or KofP? I need to make a trip to the store soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suburban Square!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Apple guy said it was full of dust and dirt, but didnβt mention food waste. I think you can stick to your old dietary habitsβ¦
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m just thinking a lot of the dirt is old food crumbs. But I’m sure at some point I’ll go back to my unhealthy ways; old habits die hard…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe, but Iβd just keep doing what you do – you can always take it in for another clean out in nine yearsβ timeβ¦
LikeLiked by 2 people
that’s true; I like the way you think…
LikeLiked by 1 person
My MacBook is 12 years old and it works great except when I try to use WordPress. It is my fourth Mac and I have loved them all. And I always got great service when needed, which was rare. These days I still write my blog on my MacBook, which I connect to a nice large monitor and full keyboard then email it to my IPad to paste into WordPress. This process is working for now although it is sometimes challenging when I want to include several photos. Glad to hear that yourβs just needed a free cleaning and some TLC. Hopefully it will still have some good years left, especially if you avoid those snacks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s good to knwo that your Macbook is still going strong after 12 years. That sounds like a quite a process to post something to WP, I wonder why you can’t do it directly from your MacBook.
I plan to be more mindful about my snacking habits… π
LikeLike
The OS and browser on my MacBook are too old for WordPress and can no longer be updated. Built in obsolescence. It worked fine when I first started blogging but WP is constantly changing. Because of theses changes, it no longer likes my system and my local Apple guy will happily sell me a new one. I am just putting it off because I have irreplaceable graphic programs on my current one. Although I purchased them outright in the past when I was self employed, these programs are now only available through very expensive monthly subscriptions for new operating systems. A great business model if you are the seller, not so great if you are an individual user. I will bite the bullet eventually.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s unfortunate that your computer does not support these newer versions of software; I’m not a fan of such planned obsolesence. Glad you were able to find a workaround…
LikeLiked by 1 person
A new computer is a pain to set up (for me anyway) so you are much better off using your old one as long as possible. The store is a good one to stick with too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree it’s much easier to stick with an existing computer if possible. and the genius bar is a big selling point for me with Apple products…
LikeLike
amazing and at a an affordable price! oh no, my flamin’ hot Cheetos – I’ll bet mine is filled with them! I usually take mine to a local place ‘apples and oranges’ run by two young guys who say their job is to repair apple products, apple’s job is to sell you a new one. I get it and appreciate them, use them whenever it is possible. plus they are non-judgmental as far as no stupid question, etc. but who knows as soon as one walks out the door?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish we had a place like Apples and Oranges, great name and a great idea.
There’s a chancet hey talk about how many flamin’ hot Cheetos you must eat, but I’m guessing their diet isn’t the best either π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting that I just read that the ceo of apple and Biden both were talking about the need for a shift to βthe right to repairβ
LikeLiked by 1 person
that seems like a step in the right direction, but I think for many repairs I’d still rely on the eperts…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand –
LikeLike
Haha! You think you are smart, don’t you. I would have a lid on it. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
a lid on the laptop or on your wine?
LikeLike
On the wine smartie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe I need to clean my laptop? My iPad was acting up so I wiped it and reloaded everything. So far, so good and I hope it stays that way. Same for your Mac.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe I should bring my Mac in to see if it’s the same problem…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, did you get lucky. Nothing worse than starting with a new computer. Now, no chips for you! Lol π
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s still working great two weeks later. and I have not eaten naything while using it π
LikeLike
You are such a good boy π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I try π
LikeLiked by 1 person