4/12    Is is common but implicit in computer repair to use used but
        *working* component to replace bad components on the unit you gave
        them?  I took a Powerbook Pismo to we-fix-macs and was told to shell
        out $351 for reburbishing the processor boards (actually the genius
        said they would repair and refurbish the CPU!).  If so, it doesn't
        seem worthwhile to reapir at all!
        \_ Mac people... hehehe.  If it was a PC, you'd spend less than that
           to get a new motherboard and cpu and end up with a better computer
           than you had before for less money instead of the same computer with
           equally old parts.  Did they also change your fan belt oil and the
           power supply equalizer?  What about your cam shaft bearings and the
           differential rotar terahertz storage display?  *snicker*
           \_ I remember trying to fix parts on my old PC.  You'd replace
              one thing and Windows wouldn't boot normally, so you'd go to
              'safe mode' and see that not only does windows insist on trying
              to find stuff on your old motherboard, it has your mouse device
              loaded like 8 times, still is looking for a sound card you
              replaced last year, and the only sure way to clean this up is
              to reinstall from scratch.  And reinstall DirectX.  And the
              endless rebooting..
              \_ It's generally better now.  You can tell it "that part
                 doesn't live here anymore"
              \_ I'm still using my old PC except since I first built it I've
                 changed every part except the floppy, a few cables, and what
                 little remains of the case and PS.  Nothing you're talking
                 about has ever happened and I didn't spend $351 to get my
                 cam shaft rotorhertz drive pixelation problem refurbished at
                 some rip off joint that survives by screwing endless
                 generations of mac wielding english major freshmen.
                 \_ My main expectation with a repair is that I should get
                    new parts replacing the broken ones, instead of some
                    parts just as old or even older salvaged from other
                    dead units bought over ebay.  -- op
        \_ well, every warranty I've seen says that the manufacturer could
           use refurbished parts
           \_ but can the "refurbished" part be from another computer that
              has been equally old but just hasn't failed yet?
              \_ yes
                 \_ Are you talking about out-of-warranty repair?
                    \_ in-warranty ... out-of-warranty, they can still
                       be refurbished, but the implication is that the
                       refurbished parts need to be "recertified".  Guess who
                       determines the part is recertified (hint: not the
                       manufacturing company).
                       \_ I always thought that repair means replacing bad
                          parts with new parts, and refurbish means checking
                          and repairing new or almost new (returned by
                          unhappy customers with 30 days) units.  Guess I was
                          wrong.
                          \_ I've found that typically, a warranty means if
                             it breaks, you get one that works.  Not
                             necessarily a new one.  As far as I can tell,
                             the only difference between in-warranty and out-
                             of warranty is in the latter, you pay for more
                             than just shipping it to them.