Will I void my warranty if

smellybook · Apr 7th, 2008, 10:15 AM

I upgrade my combo drive to a superdrive in my macbook myself?

I just ordered a refurb macbook from "apple.ca" and at the time they didn't have a macbook listed with a superdrive, so I just got the one with a combo drive because the price was just incredible.

I didn't even occur to me that I may void the applecare if I change it.
Do I really have to pay apple to do it when I can easily do it myself?

Cheers,

Macified · Apr 7th, 2008, 10:21 AM

Yes, your warranty will be toast. Take it to an authorized service provider and get it done. Should cost you about an hours labour and the cost of the drive. Only the RAM and the hard drive are user installable.

chas_m · Apr 7th, 2008, 10:24 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by smellybook
	I upgrade my combo drive to a superdrive in my macbook myself?

Yes, you will void the warranty. Worse, Apple will flat refuse to fix that machine ever again if they open it up and discover you've done that (and they will certainly be able to tell).

	Quote:
	I didn't even occur to me that I may void the applecare if I change it. Do I really have to pay apple to do it when I can easily do it myself?

I would not say that changing out the optical drive in a MacBook could be described as "easily do it myself" sort of job, but perhaps you're way more technically proficient than I.

You can pay a certified Apple tech to do it for you, you don't have to send it in to Apple. That's about the best I can suggest apart from using an external for those rare times you might want to burn a DVD till the warranty expires.

smellybook · Apr 7th, 2008, 12:33 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by chas_m
	Yes, you will void the warranty. Worse, Apple will flat refuse to fix that machine ever again if they open it up and discover you've done that (and they will certainly be able to tell). I would not say that changing out the optical drive in a MacBook could be described as "easily do it myself" sort of job, but perhaps you're way more technically proficient than I. You can pay a certified Apple tech to do it for you, you don't have to send it in to Apple. That's about the best I can suggest apart from using an external for those rare times you might want to burn a DVD till the warranty expires.

If I use an Apple branded superdrive how would they be able to tell?
There is no warranty sticker that I would have to break in order to open the case?

Cheers,

EvanPitts · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:35 PM

You could save yourself a lot of grief and money by just using an external DVD burner. You would still be able to use DVDs with the Combo drive, and really, how often would you really need to burn a DVD while travelling on a bus or plane?

External burners are relatively inexpensive, even the recommended firewire interface ones, and it will not void your warranty. You may have to use Patchburn, but then again, since the Pioneer burners are reasonably priced, you may not need to anyways.

rgray · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:39 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by smellybook
	If I use an Apple branded superdrive how would they be able to tell? There is no warranty sticker that I would have to break in order to open the case? Cheers,

Apple knows from the serial number what was originally in the machine. It is not just a matter of Apple branded - you would have to hunt down the exact model of superdrive that was original to that machine and even at that they know they didn't put it there.

monokitty · Apr 7th, 2008, 03:03 PM

Time to clear up multiple misconceptions:

smellybook, your warranty will not be voided if you install a replacement optical drive yourself, so long as you do not damage any part of the unit during your install. If you do, your warranty is then cut short right there and then. However, keep in mind that if your replacement optical drive - Apple branded or not - is not covered. If your new optical drive fails 3 months later, it is not covered, despite the rest of the computer being covered, as it is not factory original equipment. (This holds true even if a AASP performed the install for you.)

As a precaution, Service Providers can, at their discretion, refuse warranty service if even the simple case screws themselves are not in their correct sockets - as such, be very careful you tighten the screws back into the same holes they came out of, and make absolute sure not a single screw is missing entirely.

Hope that helps.

smellybook · Apr 7th, 2008, 03:54 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Lars
	Time to clear up multiple misconceptions: smellybook, your warranty will not be voided if you install a replacement optical drive yourself, so long as you do not damage any part of the unit during your install. If you do, your warranty is then cut short right there and then. However, keep in mind that if your replacement optical drive - Apple branded or not - is not covered. If your new optical drive fails 3 months later, it is not covered, despite the rest of the computer being covered, as it is not factory original equipment. (This holds true even if a AASP performed the install for you.) As a precaution, Service Providers can, at their discretion, refuse warranty service if even the simple case screws themselves are not in their correct sockets - as such, be very careful you tighten the screws back into the same holes they came out of, and make absolute sure not a single screw is missing entirely. Hope that helps.

Thanks Lars,

for clearing that up, I am a Certified PC Technician and feel up to the task however, I didn't want to even attempt it if it voids my warranty.

guytoronto · Apr 7th, 2008, 03:55 PM

Lars is correct. As long as you are careful, everything back together correctly, nothing broken, your warranty is safe.

Honestly though, don't do it. Get yourself an external DVD burner. Cheaper, faster, stronger, higher...etc. How often do you need to burn DVDs on the go?

smellybook · Apr 7th, 2008, 04:30 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by guytoronto
	Lars is correct. As long as you are careful, everything back together correctly, nothing broken, your warranty is safe. Honestly though, don't do it. Get yourself an external DVD burner. Cheaper, faster, stronger, higher...etc. How often do you need to burn DVDs on the go?

The only reason it would matter is because I'm thinking about completely ditching the imac when the macbook arrives.