Trouble Ticket
Type Computing Platform MAC OS N/A
Date 15-May-10 Application N/A Hardware MBP, Nvidia Video Card
Category Hardware Failure Level Medium Time Taken N/A
Description
17" Macbook Pro 2.4ghz boot up but screen was black. Rebooting did not solve the prolem. External Video devices were also black.
Cause
Certain Models of Apple Macbook Pro's using NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT Graphics Processors have a high rate of failure. This issue is related to this link. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377 .
Solution
Take the laptop in to Apple's Genius Bar even if out of warranty. Replace the main logic board.
Here's what I did.
I went to the nearest Apple retail store and brought the laptop with me. The "Genius" in the back looked at the printout of the link posted above and performed the tests related to the issue. The tests he performed actually made the matter worse, the CD ROM drive wouldn't eject anymore and it wouldn't even act like it was booting. He eventually went in to the back, meanwhile I messed with the laptop until I could get it to boot again and eject my cd. The "Genius" came back and told me it would be about 350 dollars as a flat rate to repair anything wrong with it. I told him that we would not pay 350 dollars for a faulty part and requested that they replace the logic board at no cost and if that did not fix it then I would wait until I had the money to send it in since they would replace the logic board anyways to rule out the video issue. They eventually agreed to fix it at no charge. The next day I had it back in perfect condition with a new logic board.
Total Cost 0.00
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Airport Extreme and External Hard Drives
Trouble Ticket
Type Network Platform WIN/MAC OS XP, 7, Leopard
Date 23-Nov-08 Application Airport Utility Hardware Airport Extreme BS, Seagate FreeAgent Desk
Category Software Level Easy Time Taken 20 Min.
Description
Using an Airport Extreme Base Station on a multi platform network with 2 external Hard Drives attached via a USB hub. On the windows network hard drives would lose connectivity after a certain time and would not reconnect without rebooting the router.
Cause
Hard Drives had built-in software that determined sleep modes after a specific time frame. Apple Airport Extreme Base Station (as with most apple products) do not like drives being removed without ejecting the disk which the AEBS does not support.
Solution
Disable Sleep / Power Save modes on the external Hard Drives.
How To
Step 1 - Install the SeaGate FreeAgent Desk software on any computer.
Step 2 - Plug in the hard drives to the computer with FreeAgent software installed.
Step 3 - Open the software and locate the setting for sleep / power save modes.
Step 4 - Change the settings for turning off the hard drive to Never or Disable.
Step 5 - Save the changes.
Step 6 - Connect the hard drive(s) back into the AEBS.
Step 7 - The hard drives should no longer turn off eliminating network disconnection.
Total Cost 0.00
Type Network Platform WIN/MAC OS XP, 7, Leopard
Date 23-Nov-08 Application Airport Utility Hardware Airport Extreme BS, Seagate FreeAgent Desk
Category Software Level Easy Time Taken 20 Min.
Description
Using an Airport Extreme Base Station on a multi platform network with 2 external Hard Drives attached via a USB hub. On the windows network hard drives would lose connectivity after a certain time and would not reconnect without rebooting the router.
Cause
Hard Drives had built-in software that determined sleep modes after a specific time frame. Apple Airport Extreme Base Station (as with most apple products) do not like drives being removed without ejecting the disk which the AEBS does not support.
Solution
Disable Sleep / Power Save modes on the external Hard Drives.
How To
Step 1 - Install the SeaGate FreeAgent Desk software on any computer.
Step 2 - Plug in the hard drives to the computer with FreeAgent software installed.
Step 3 - Open the software and locate the setting for sleep / power save modes.
Step 4 - Change the settings for turning off the hard drive to Never or Disable.
Step 5 - Save the changes.
Step 6 - Connect the hard drive(s) back into the AEBS.
Step 7 - The hard drives should no longer turn off eliminating network disconnection.
Total Cost 0.00
'97 Chevy Blazer Wipers
Trouble Ticket
Type Auto Platform N/A OS N/A
Date 7-Jul-09 Application N/A Hardware Wiper Motor Board
Category Failed Parts Level Easy Time Taken 30 Min.
Description
97 Chevy Blazer Windshield Wipers would start and stop intermittently and randomly without control.
Cause
Wiper Motor Circuit Board failed causing a malfuntion with the wipers causing them to start and stop randomly and intermittently.
Solution
Replace the Wiper Motor Circuit Board. I found a used one at a junk yard for 25 dollars for the whole motor assembly.
How To
Step 1 - Open the hood and locate the wiper motor.
Step 2 - Remove the 3 bolts that hold the cover on the motor circuit board.
Step 3 - Unplug the cable connecting the wiper motor board.
Step 4 - Carefully slide the board out of the plastic housing.
Step 5 - Replace the new board.
Step 6 - Plug the cable back into the wiper motor board.
Step 7 - Clean and lubricate the seal of the plastic cover with oil to prevent leakage.
Step 8 - Replace the 3 bolts and the cover back onto the board housing.
Step 9 - Test the wipers.
Total Cost 25.00
Type Auto Platform N/A OS N/A
Date 7-Jul-09 Application N/A Hardware Wiper Motor Board
Category Failed Parts Level Easy Time Taken 30 Min.
Description
97 Chevy Blazer Windshield Wipers would start and stop intermittently and randomly without control.
Cause
Wiper Motor Circuit Board failed causing a malfuntion with the wipers causing them to start and stop randomly and intermittently.
Solution
Replace the Wiper Motor Circuit Board. I found a used one at a junk yard for 25 dollars for the whole motor assembly.
How To
Step 1 - Open the hood and locate the wiper motor.
Step 2 - Remove the 3 bolts that hold the cover on the motor circuit board.
Step 3 - Unplug the cable connecting the wiper motor board.
Step 4 - Carefully slide the board out of the plastic housing.
Step 5 - Replace the new board.
Step 6 - Plug the cable back into the wiper motor board.
Step 7 - Clean and lubricate the seal of the plastic cover with oil to prevent leakage.
Step 8 - Replace the 3 bolts and the cover back onto the board housing.
Step 9 - Test the wipers.
Total Cost 25.00
'97 Chevy Blazer Headlight Rocker Switch
Trouble Ticket
Type Auto Platform N/A OS N/A
Date 7-Jul-09 Application N/A Hardware Switch
Category Failed Parts Level Easy Time Taken 15 Min.
Description
97 Chevy Blazer had intermittent headlight malfunction causing all lights to flash rapidly and randomly. Seemed to be affected by cold making it worse than in normal weather.
Cause
Headlight rocker switch contacts became corroded causing a short.
Solution
Replace the headlight rocker switch. Found one used at a junkyard for $15.00.
How To
Step 1 - Pull the plastic cover around the switch the panel away from the dashboard.
Step 2 - Unplug the cable on the back of the rocker switch.
Step 3 - Pinch the sides of the switch housing and remove the switch from the plastic cover.
Step 4 - Replace the new rocker switch into the plastic cover.
Step 5 - Plug the cable back into the new rocker switch.
Step 6 - Snap the plastic cover back onto the dash.
Total Cost 15.00
Type Auto Platform N/A OS N/A
Date 7-Jul-09 Application N/A Hardware Switch
Category Failed Parts Level Easy Time Taken 15 Min.
Description
97 Chevy Blazer had intermittent headlight malfunction causing all lights to flash rapidly and randomly. Seemed to be affected by cold making it worse than in normal weather.
Cause
Headlight rocker switch contacts became corroded causing a short.
Solution
Replace the headlight rocker switch. Found one used at a junkyard for $15.00.
How To
Step 1 - Pull the plastic cover around the switch the panel away from the dashboard.
Step 2 - Unplug the cable on the back of the rocker switch.
Step 3 - Pinch the sides of the switch housing and remove the switch from the plastic cover.
Step 4 - Replace the new rocker switch into the plastic cover.
Step 5 - Plug the cable back into the new rocker switch.
Step 6 - Snap the plastic cover back onto the dash.
Total Cost 15.00
Saturday, August 28, 2010
'06 Nissan Altima Camshaft and Crankshaft Sensor
Trouble Ticket
Type Auto Platform N/A OS N/A
Date 27-Aug-10 Application N/A Hardware Sensor
Category Failed Parts Level Medium Time Taken 1.5 hours
Description
06 Nissan Altima 2.5L 4 Cylinder would turn over normally but take an excessive amount of time to fire up. Altima would also feel AS IF it were shifting rough. Took to CarQuest and borrowed an OBD Scanner. OBD Scanner returned Error Code P0725 "Engine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction". CarQuest stated Camshaft and Crankshaft Position Sensors. This coincides with a prerequisite ECM Reprogram per Recall http://www.autobuyguide.com/2006/12-aut/nissan/altima/recalls/index.html .
Cause
Poorly designed sensors allowed oil to leak onto the connector pins. Poorly programmed ECM did not know how to react to the shorting sensors and in some cases would cause the car to shut off. Recall 07V527000 from the above link offers a reprogram of ECM but not replacement of faulty sensors.
Solution
Take the vehicle in for Recall 07V527000. Then replace the Camshaft and Crankshaft Position Sensors. Autozone sells the sensors (Part Number SU6364) for 28.99 ea.
How To
Step 1 - Unplug the Negative Battery Terminal.
Step 2 - Remove the Plastic Engine Cover. (4 Bolts - Allen Wrench)
Step 3 - Remove the Air Hose that connects the Throttle Body and the Filter Box. (2 Hose Clamps - Flathead Screwdriver, 2 Pinch Clamps - Pliers, Pull the Breather hose out of its support clamp)
Step 4 - The Camshaft Position Sensor is located in a wire bundle on the drivers side of the block. It is at the top of the bell housing and the furthest down and towards the firewall in the bundle near the throttle body.
Step 5 - Unplug the Connector by pressing in on the flap and pulling.
Step 6 - Unbolt the Sensor using a 10mm 6 point Socket and Ratchet.
Step 7 - Lubricate the new sensor with some fresh oil on the O-Ring.
Step 8 - Install the new sensor and seat the o-ring snugly before bolting it in place.
Step 9 - Plug the cable connector in to the new sensor.
Step 10 - Locate the Crankshaft Position Sensor on the firewall side of the block on the edge closest to the bell housing. If you can't See it have someone spot it for you through the intake manifold with a flashlight, or follow each wire bundle on the firewall side until you find it. If you are on the bell housing you are not quite far enough.
Step 11 - Unplug the Sensor by pressing in (towards the block) on the green connector and pulling it off the sensor. (This was difficult, I used a screwdriver to push it down.)
Step 12 - Unbolt and remove the sensor.
Step 13 - Lube the new sensors O-Ring with Oil and connect the green cable connector to the sensor before Reinstalling the new sensor. (Way easier than trying to do it after.)
Step 14 - Install the new sensor and Seat the O-Ring snugly before bolting in place.
Step 15 - Bolt the new sensor in place.
Step 16 - Reconnect Negative Battery Terminal.
Total Cost 63.49
Type Auto Platform N/A OS N/A
Date 27-Aug-10 Application N/A Hardware Sensor
Category Failed Parts Level Medium Time Taken 1.5 hours
Description
06 Nissan Altima 2.5L 4 Cylinder would turn over normally but take an excessive amount of time to fire up. Altima would also feel AS IF it were shifting rough. Took to CarQuest and borrowed an OBD Scanner. OBD Scanner returned Error Code P0725 "Engine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction". CarQuest stated Camshaft and Crankshaft Position Sensors. This coincides with a prerequisite ECM Reprogram per Recall http://www.autobuyguide.com/2006/12-aut/nissan/altima/recalls/index.html .
Cause
Poorly designed sensors allowed oil to leak onto the connector pins. Poorly programmed ECM did not know how to react to the shorting sensors and in some cases would cause the car to shut off. Recall 07V527000 from the above link offers a reprogram of ECM but not replacement of faulty sensors.
Solution
Take the vehicle in for Recall 07V527000. Then replace the Camshaft and Crankshaft Position Sensors. Autozone sells the sensors (Part Number SU6364) for 28.99 ea.
How To
Step 1 - Unplug the Negative Battery Terminal.
Step 2 - Remove the Plastic Engine Cover. (4 Bolts - Allen Wrench)
Step 3 - Remove the Air Hose that connects the Throttle Body and the Filter Box. (2 Hose Clamps - Flathead Screwdriver, 2 Pinch Clamps - Pliers, Pull the Breather hose out of its support clamp)
Step 4 - The Camshaft Position Sensor is located in a wire bundle on the drivers side of the block. It is at the top of the bell housing and the furthest down and towards the firewall in the bundle near the throttle body.
Step 5 - Unplug the Connector by pressing in on the flap and pulling.
Step 6 - Unbolt the Sensor using a 10mm 6 point Socket and Ratchet.
Step 7 - Lubricate the new sensor with some fresh oil on the O-Ring.
Step 8 - Install the new sensor and seat the o-ring snugly before bolting it in place.
Step 9 - Plug the cable connector in to the new sensor.
Step 10 - Locate the Crankshaft Position Sensor on the firewall side of the block on the edge closest to the bell housing. If you can't See it have someone spot it for you through the intake manifold with a flashlight, or follow each wire bundle on the firewall side until you find it. If you are on the bell housing you are not quite far enough.
Step 11 - Unplug the Sensor by pressing in (towards the block) on the green connector and pulling it off the sensor. (This was difficult, I used a screwdriver to push it down.)
Step 12 - Unbolt and remove the sensor.
Step 13 - Lube the new sensors O-Ring with Oil and connect the green cable connector to the sensor before Reinstalling the new sensor. (Way easier than trying to do it after.)
Step 14 - Install the new sensor and Seat the O-Ring snugly before bolting in place.
Step 15 - Bolt the new sensor in place.
Step 16 - Reconnect Negative Battery Terminal.
Total Cost 63.49
Windows Live Messenger Crashes on Startup
Trouble Ticket
Type Software Platform Windows OS 7 x64
Date 15-Aug-10 Application WLM Hardware N/A
Category Crash Level Easy Time Taken 5 minutes
Description
Windows Live Messenger crashes on start of program. Error States Windows Live Messenger Failed To Start. Windows Attempts to Fix the Problem but does nothing. Windows Attempts to Report the Error with no solution. Crash is limited to a specific user on a system (Other users on a system may not experience the problem). Attempted Reinstall of WLM did not fix the problem.
Cause
Windows Live Messenger in certain obscure situations crashes due to an error linked to or caused by the Avatar of one or multiple Windows Live Passport accounts used on a specific system user account.
Solution
Delete a registry entry for each Windows Live Passport account on the affected System Users account that is linked to the Avatar for WLM Passport account. Change the Avatar on the next available login.
How To
Step 1 - Start > Run > RegEdit
Step 2 - Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger\PerPassportSettings
Step 3 - Click on the folder such as "1234567890"
Step 4 - Click on the key "UTL"
Step 5 - Delete the Key "UTL"
Step 6 - Repeat Step 3-5 for all folders within PerPassportSettings. Skip folder if UTL is not present.
Step 7 - Start Windows Live Messenger (It should start without crashing now).
Step 8 - Log in to WLM
Step 9 - Change your avatar. (Tools > Change your display picture)
Step 10 - Enjoy a working Windows Live Messenger.
Type Software Platform Windows OS 7 x64
Date 15-Aug-10 Application WLM Hardware N/A
Category Crash Level Easy Time Taken 5 minutes
Description
Windows Live Messenger crashes on start of program. Error States Windows Live Messenger Failed To Start. Windows Attempts to Fix the Problem but does nothing. Windows Attempts to Report the Error with no solution. Crash is limited to a specific user on a system (Other users on a system may not experience the problem). Attempted Reinstall of WLM did not fix the problem.
Cause
Windows Live Messenger in certain obscure situations crashes due to an error linked to or caused by the Avatar of one or multiple Windows Live Passport accounts used on a specific system user account.
Solution
Delete a registry entry for each Windows Live Passport account on the affected System Users account that is linked to the Avatar for WLM Passport account. Change the Avatar on the next available login.
How To
Step 1 - Start > Run > RegEdit
Step 2 - Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger\PerPassportSettings
Step 3 - Click on the folder such as "1234567890"
Step 4 - Click on the key "UTL"
Step 5 - Delete the Key "UTL"
Step 6 - Repeat Step 3-5 for all folders within PerPassportSettings. Skip folder if UTL is not present.
Step 7 - Start Windows Live Messenger (It should start without crashing now).
Step 8 - Log in to WLM
Step 9 - Change your avatar. (Tools > Change your display picture)
Step 10 - Enjoy a working Windows Live Messenger.
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