nCity Hardware


Electro Static Discharge (ESD):

Two things to know about ESD: It is a byproduct of friction between dissimilar materials (aided by atmospheric conditions), and it travels on the surface. Synthetics+skin and rubber+fur combinations can generate a surprising charge, more than enough to damage delicate microchip circuits. Work on computer components should take place on a grounded mat with ground contact to machine's chassis. Maintain body contact with machine's metal chassis or frame to neutralize any static charge, and make sure machine's chassis is always the first thing you touch.

Cabinet/chassis cleaning:: Fans in your computer circulate (unfiltered) air to help cool processors, boards and hard drives; significant amounts of dust can collect inside cabinets and around fans. It's important to clean fans, cabinet and components periodically (outdoors!) by using dry compressed air or by carefully vacuum-cleaning machine's interior using a nonmetallic tip. Aerosol cans for this purpose are also available, and disassembly of desktop machines may not be necessary.
: (The fan you see in background would still spin. It was blown out with 50psi - too little, too late. Cabinet and fans were so clogged with layer on layer of dust and grime that this machine finally overheated, causing total failure - due to negligence and a filthy environment.)
Replacement fasteners/feet/covers:

We like to make sure everything is ship-shape when a machine leaves here, so any missing cabinet or chassis screws are noted and replaced as appropriate and when possible. If a port cover, door, or some other part is broken or missing, we note such defects and will track down a replacement and/or make repairs, as client wishes.

Physical and mechanical damage:

Damaged cables, connectors, adapters and ports can all create havoc. Displays go blank, machines refuse to boot, input devices appear to freeze. Damage to delicate USB ports is common, especially since so many devices use them (such as iPods), and notebook power ports also take a beating. Make sure cables, adapters and connectors have sufficient clearance and are not twisted, kinked or loose. Always handle cables and connectors with care.

USB port with broken insert.

(See port repairs link, left.)
Cosmetic damage:: Apple's unique acrylic cabinets (unprotected by sticky notes) can suffer scratches, discoloration and damage from daily wear-and-tear. Well acquainted with acrylics, we have materials on hand for making repairs, cleaning and polishing out blemishes, and we can restore your machine to like-new appearance.

Product warranty and recall (in general):: All Apple computers include a one-year warranty from date of product registration, including complimentary tech support (terms and conditions apply). In addition, an extended warranty is available for purchase at any time within the first year.
: While not unique, Apple's tech support is among the best in the industry. If a problem surfaces regarding some component part, Apple typically initiates a Repair Extension Program to replace or repair the problem component for an extended time beyond the standard warranty. Recent examples include an extensive, industrywide laptop battery recall, and a logic board replacement program which involved defective electrolytic capacitors used in a wide variety of electronic devices, including computers from Apple and other manufacturers.
: While product recalls are often a safety concern and widely publicized, circumstances surrounding relatively minor problems, defects and customer complaints are often complicated and seldom publicized. We frequently refer clients to Apple support when we diagnose a known issue covered under warranty or by a Repair Extension Program. We can often speed the support process by being familiar with the issue at hand and being able to discuss it - and its remedies - with Apple tech support personnel using proper technical terminology.
: If your machine is under factory warranty, a quick call to Apple is our best bet. If you're not sure whether your Mac is still under warranty, or if you need further assistance, we can help.
Apple online support:

Apple's online support pages contain late-breaking info regarding all new products, including any updates, recalls, warranty information, repair extensions, do-it-yourself parts and service, and much more.

External Links:

iMacs - Apple iMac support

Apple Support - All products

Apple Support Index - Site map
Damage _not_ covered under warranty.: Example: A notebook hits the ground, lands on a USB plug which hammers notebook's port into machine about 1/8-inch and creates a short. Machine now reports improper current draw over USB and disables USB ports. Obviously not covered under warranty, Apple will certainly replace entire logic board in a case like this - very expensive. We might be able to replace the USB port and save logic board, but there are no guarantees and labor will still be costly. Your warranty will certainly be voided - permanently. Tough choice.
: No warranty will protect against physical damage, accidents, modifications, and most other things beyond normal use and operation.

Defects under warranty.

This problem shortened buyer's warranty by a month. Owner decided to reformat hard drive and reinstall OS and applications on a new Mac right out of the box. Install DVD #1 completed without incident, then requested DVD #2. Disk #2 ran for a time, reported a failed installation and machine was stuck in a loop: Request disk 2, fail, request disk 2, fail, request disk 2..... Tech support did all they could over the phone, but who would've guessed such a simple flaw?

First set of replacement disks were sent to a ghost town two counties away - Cherokee, CA - thanks to a glitch in the USPS Zip Code.

OS install disk 2: Defect in DVD reflective layer.
Be prepared to lose data on your hard drive.: If you have a backup, no problem. If you don't, and you can still make one, do it. Sending a machine back under warranty means you will almost certainly never see your data again. The machine must go back exactly as you received it - with its hard drive. If we can extract your data for you and store it until machine is returned, we will be glad to do so.

Matching repair parts to machine specs:: There are a vast assortment of components and parts available for computer upgrades, component replacement and machine repairs. Each component part has an array of specs that go along with it; physical specs, electrical specs, bus specs, compatibility specs..... And just because a given component matches one set of specs, that doesn't mean it will match any others.
: Finding a proper replacement part usually means matching OEM part numbers to a specific machine; there are often multiple part numbers for a given component in a given machine. These numbers may represent revisions, or perhaps they represent a different bandwidth, type or application. There is seldom a "generic" replacement part which will operate as required or fit properly in its place.

Client-supplied replacement components and parts:: We have resources for finding that perfect component match or upgrade, new or used. A used or salvaged assembly can be the perfect solution sometimes; other times, a used component is the _last_ thing we want (installing a hard drive, for example), and only brand-new will do. If we make a mistake and somehow end up with the wrong part - well, it was our mistake, and we'll make it right. We try to find the best price we can, but not at the expense of wasting time and additional trouble. But, if someone brings in their own replacement part for us to install, and it turns out to be incorrect or malfunctioning..... well, _that_ can be a whole different story. The labor involved - disassembly, installation (or not), reassembly and testing - is about the same, whether the part works or not. Personally, I won't waste time on unknown components, I hate to bill for an unsuccessful repair, and I can't afford to work for free. So, please consult with us _before_ spending your hard-earned money on replacement parts or repair components.

Expansion cards and internal devices:: Towers are built for internal expansion with prewired bays, PCI card slots and bus ports. The most common expansion types include multiport USB cards (and external hubs), video cards for driving additional displays, and assorted add-on cards for storage and input devices (SCSI, Serial ATA, FireWire). Like almost all hardware devices, these have built-in firmware that may prove critical to their use - allowing startup from an external drive, for example. Buying expansion cards requires careful consideration, and cheapest is seldom the best choice. If a card designed to Apple specs is available, _that_ is the card to choose. While cheaper cards may get the job done, they may require special drivers and might not allow all the capabilities you expect. Furthermore, a mismatched PCI card can wreak havoc on a system, causing freezes, hangs and even preventing startup. Selecting and installing RAM, PCI and video cards, drives, and other internal devices requires some research, a little finesse, and an open bay, slot or port. (Some devices have additional, specific, configuration and installation requirements.) We'll be happy to help select, install and configure the right device to fit your needs.

External peripherals:: iMacs, Minis and notebooks are pretty much limited to (more user friendly) external devices, appropriate to ports available. And, they may have limited RAM slots when compared to towers; most have only two slots, some in an upper/lower configuration where the lower slot is easily accessible but the upper slot is not. We can install RAM for you, or help with selection of any necessary peripherals. If you are considering a new iMac, we suggest adding a RAM upgrade at time of purchase; you can never have too much memory.

Surge suppressors and battery backups (UPS):

Spikes and lightning strikes cause damage to about 5 times as many modems as everything else combined (in my experience), indicative of what is being protected and what is not. A simple surge suppressor or power strip from the local Quickie Mart just isn't good enough. Surge suppressors alone cannot protect from low current (brownout) conditions or data loss from power outage, and they seldom include phone line or cable modem protection.

Battery backups (aka, Uninterruptible Power Supply or UPS) protect both power and modem connections from power spikes and surges, and they protect against brownout conditions which can damage or destroy sensitive devices. They also allow you time to save your work and power down gracefully when the lights go out (automatically with some models), preventing data loss.

The top unit shown here measures about 10" x 5" x 8" deep, is suitable for home and small office, and sells for about $100. Smaller models start around $50. The length of time allowed for saving data and shutdown varies depending on load, but any APC UPS will provide sufficient time. These devices are highly recommended (especially here in Nevada County).

(Photos ripped from APC web site,

models BP500CLR and ES8.)

APC Battery Backups full range of models.

APC - all APC products.

AC adapters (external power supplies):

Notebook, Cube and MacMini AC power adapters (and ports) are also a common replacement item. Cables fray and break from rough handling and constant use, plugs get damaged when accidentally yanked out, pets chew through wires, units get dropped, lost and left behind. Ports and connectors sometimes suffer damage and lose contact. (I had one client who managed to trip over her PowerBook's cord no less than three times, damaging its power port each and every time.)

Apple's new MagSafe power plug should put an end to much of the carnage, but there are plenty of older 'books still at risk. Aftermarket (third party) AC adapters may be cheap but are often unreliable and seldom perform as long or as well as the real thing; OEM power supplies are always the best choice.

We try to keep a new spare or two around the shop for the convenience of our clients, but there's no guarantee we'll have one here at any given time..... we might at least be able to charge your notebook battery for you, tho, since we have adapters used for service purposes going all the way back to Apple's very first "luggable" laptop.

A variety of AC power adapters.

Apple batteries and power adapters

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors, iMacs and eMacs:

With the advent of superior flat-panel monitors, the CRT has become obsolete and has gone extinct. No love lost here..... Repairing CRTs is no longer economically feasible, nor are older G3 iMacs with CRTs worthy of repair or upgrade (sorry). eMacs - formerly relegated to the education market only, and recently discontinued altogether - are the lone exception to the no CRT rule, here at the shop.

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