On 16/7/02 2:14 pm, "Jeremy Derr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On Tuesday, July 16, 2002, at 01:45 AM, Steve Bell wrote: > >> Marilyns problem was with a slot loading iMac, completely different from >> the >> majority of failures, tray loaders. These are all out of warranty, Apple >> still supports them with spares. The analogue board fails on these, >> usually >> because of failure of the flyback transformer. This part is subject >> stresses >> in all monitors, and is always likely to be a high failure item. It was on >> other Apple products, the Multiple Scan 20, Apple 16" display, Multiple >> Scan >> 720 and ASD 17. What makes out of warranty repair of the iMac's expensive >> is >> Apples policy of repair by modular exchange. If they made individual >> components available as spare parts repairs would be far more economical. > > ya, but if Apple made individual components available, it could easily > actually get MORE expensive. > > As a tech, if I have to break out a soldering iron, I charge a > significantly higher labor rate. Also, if I have to solder, there's more > work I have to do. Normally, I just have to isolate an issue to a module, > which is sometimes time consuming. Now, I have to isolate to a component > on the module. This is ALWAYS time consuming. Metering, testing, blah blah > blah... A solder job rarely takes less than 3 hours considering isolation, > soldering, and testing into account. > > If I'm replacing just a module, it very rarely takes me more than 2 hours > and most of the time less than 1 hour. I'm also charging a lower labor > rate. So, it winds up being more cost-efficient to replace whole modules, > both for Apple during the warranty repair process (hey, they have to pay > the AASP's for their labor, and it costs Apple money to make the modules, > and to ship the modules to the AASP), and for the customer during an > Out-of-Warranty repair. > A lot depends upon the fault, and assuming out of warranty. If it's a common stock fault such as the flyback transformer is, it is cheaper to replace the FBT. It takes me less than 5 minutes to undo 9 screws and pull away 4 plastic pieces. I then discharge the EHT cap, unclip and measure resistance to common, a resistance reading confirms its defective. Remove 10 more small screws and pull away EMI shield. Pull back the video board, pull off the black ground lead, red G2 lead and unclip the red focus lead. Unsolder the old FBT, bin it, drop in another, solder and dress wires around under the CRT neck plugging back into the video board. Power on, adjust focus and screen on FBT, check geometry and image size/centering, adjust with DAU if necessary, reassemble. Refit EMI shield and case parts. Replacing the analogue board takes a similar time, but involves a longer setup, as the colour balance will also need reseting with the DAU. The FBT costs less than the analogue board, especially for repair companies who are not Apple authorised service providers. With other unknown faults I agree it is cheaper to replace the board, and I often do. I have previously worked in component level repair since 1966, so have the expertise to replace defective parts. I'm not suggesting all Apple techs should do this, as they are not trained to. But when the skills are available we should be able to utilise them. Apple is very cautious over what it allows it's authorised techs to undertake. For instance in the UK an AASP cannot change a backup battery in a G3 powerbook. An AASP has to send them to a centralised European repair depot, the cost to the owner of around 250 GBP, ridiculous. I can, as you no doubt can, change one in around 20 minutes. The same goes for loose power connectors on G3 powerbook audio boards, a simple resoldering job fixes rather than shipping away for an expensive repair. Steve Bell -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
