Botched Repair Likely Cause of Combusting iPhone After Flight

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Botched Repair Likely Cause of Combusting iPhone After Flight

Posted by Soulskill on Friday May 4, 2012 @03:40AM from the you're-probably-just-puncturing-the-battery-wrong dept.

aesoteric writes "The combustion of an Apple iPhone 4 after a regional flight in Australia was likely caused by a botched repair of the handset by an unauthorized repairer, according to air safety investigators in the U.S. and Australia. A small metal screw had been misplaced in the battery bay of the handset. The screw punctured the battery casing and caused an internal short circuit, making the iPhone emit dense smoke (PDF)."

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Waiting for facts by Overly+Critical+Guy · 2012-05-04 03:41 · Score: 5, Insightful

After reading the snarky comments in the previous story about "holding it wrong", "it's an iPhone so it's a feature", and "ban all phones without removable batteries", it's interesting to see what happens if you wait for investigative facts to come out. But where would be the fun in that? Slashdot's comment section is more about cathartic bashing than insightful commentary. Of course, now we'll see accusations that Apple bribed the ATSB or fake-posts from pretend-battery-engineers telling us how the story is wrong or some other similar silliness...

--
"Sufferin' succotash."
1. Re:Waiting for facts by alphatel · 2012-05-04 03:44 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  That's not the worst of it. The real outcome is that TSA will now ban all electronic devices as deadly terrorist weapons.
  
  --
  When the foot seeks the place of the head, the line is crossed. Know your place. Keep your place. Be a shoe.
2. Re:Waiting for facts by ZeroSumHappiness · 2012-05-04 03:45 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Not to mention that someone fruity could lobby for laws that outlaw third party repairs as a result...
3. Re:Waiting for facts by poptix · 2012-05-04 03:46 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  The facts don't really matter, "You're holding it wrong" is still relevant and funny.
  
  --
  Just because you disagree doesn't mean it's not true.
4. Re:Waiting for facts by NixieBunny · 2012-05-04 03:50 · Score: 1, Redundant
  
  The TSA won't do that. The TSA won't do anything to prevent business travelers from bringing their phones or laptops on board, since they would soon go out of business if they had to.
  
  The fact that they allow lithium-ion batteries on board at all is rather startling from a safety perspective, considering how easy it is to make them emit smoke. In fact, you are only allowed to bring these batteries into the passenger compartment, NOT the cargo compartment, so that a flight attendant may extinguish the fire.
  
  I'll be happy to share my lithium-ion battery/TSA story with you upon request.
  
  --
  The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.
5. Re:Waiting for facts by Savage-Rabbit · 2012-05-04 03:50 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  That's not the worst of it. The real outcome is that TSA will now ban all electronic devices as deadly terrorist weapons.
  Obligatory: http://xkcd.com/651/
  
  --
  Only to idiots, are orders laws.
  -- Henning von Tresckow
6. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 03:50 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Seems to vindicate the "ban all phones without removable batteries" position, though. If the batteries were designed to be replaced by the end user, this wouldn't have happened.
7. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 03:51 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  I know you hear "You're holding it wrong" from your boyfriend all the time, but the joke, and any sort of brand bashing is tired.
8. Re:Waiting for facts by ZeroSumHappiness · 2012-05-04 03:52 · Score: 0
  
  I'll be happy to share my lithium-ion battery/TSA story with you upon request.
  Story requested!
9. Re:Waiting for facts by Overly+Critical+Guy · 2012-05-04 03:55 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Not to worry. They're far too busy feeling up 3-year olds and grannies to do anything about deadly weapons of any sort.
  
  --
  "Sufferin' succotash."
10. Re:Waiting for facts by TheMeuge · 2012-05-04 03:58 · Score: 2
  
  Why wait for facts? Ban!
11. Re:Waiting for facts by dietdew7 · 2012-05-04 03:58 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  You have to subscribe to his newsletter.
12. Re:Waiting for facts by Bobfrankly1 · 2012-05-04 04:00 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  I know you hear "You're holding it wrong" from your boyfriend all the time, but the joke, and any sort of brand bashing is tired.
  It's only tired if you belong to the order of the Jobsian monks. Patiently waiting, cash and credit, upon the drops of technological dew that drops from Apple. To the rest of us, including non-devotees who have an apple product, it's still pretty funny. =D
13. Re:Waiting for facts by geminidomino · 2012-05-04 04:01 · Score: 1
  
  Especially still relevant since Nintendo has adopted the same rationale toward the horrible hand-numbing controls of a recent game.
14. Re:Waiting for facts by phayes · 2012-05-04 04:13 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Meh, only the conspiracy minded think that they would want to.
  Having an iphone go up in smoke because an insufficiently trained tech botched the repair is great publicity for having your repairs done by certified repairmen.
  
  --
  Democracy is a sheep and two wolves deciding what to have for lunch. Freedom is a well armed sheep contesting the issue
15. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:14 · Score: 0
  
  It's not an iPhone it's a diePhone.
  Android phones kill less people.
16. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:16 · Score: 0, Insightful
  
  "To the rest of us, including non-devotees who have an apple product, it's still pretty funny."
  The only reason you think it's funny is because you are stupid and thus easily
  amused, even by old jokes.
  Old jokes are stale. Old jokes are no longer funny because they are old and they've been
  heard before. Standup comics know this, that's why they pay well for new material.
17. Re:Waiting for facts by msauve · 2012-05-04 04:17 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  The repair was for a broken screen, not a battery replacement. Your claim is a non-sequitur.
  
  --
  "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
18. Re:Waiting for facts by Skuld-Chan · 2012-05-04 04:19 · Score: 1
  
  Point of order - I can replace the battery on my Galaxy Nexus - which is thinner than an iPhone 4 without any tools - and thus no risk to puncturing the battery.
19. Re:Waiting for facts by NixieBunny · 2012-05-04 04:22 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  I sent the following letter to Bruce Schneier last year...
  
  Back in the July 2011, I built a device called the Video Coat.
  
  I then went on a family vacation, which culminated in displaying the coat at the Maker Faire in Detroit. The coat traveled to Detroit packed into a suitcase, and I spent an hour assembling it in the hotel room.
  
  I had to catch a plane just as the Faire was ending, so we quickly piled the family into the car and drove to the airport. I didn't have time to pack the coat back into its suitcase, so I carried it on my lap.
  
  I wore the coat into the airport. Everything was fine until I arrived at the luggage check-in counter and was getting my boarding passes. Then, a Detroit cop walked up and told me that he'd had about 50 phone calls about my coat.
  
  They asked me to please pack it into my checked luggage. I had my boarding passes at this time, so I took the time to sit down and disassemble the coat and pack it into its suitcase.
  
  Then, the TSA had decided that my family (wife and two teenage sons) was special, so they wrote SSSS on all of our boarding passes. They nicely let us cut ahead of all the other passengers so that we could get fully scanned, groped, fondled and molested in time to catch our flight. I was enjoying this whole situation very much, since it was so surreal.
  
  The most surreal part was when they inspected the eight big LiPo batteries that are used to provide power to the video coat. They decided that the batteries were small enough to be allowed on the flight, and they handed all eight of them to me for me to repack into my son's backpack.
  
  The way more ultimately surreal part was a month later, when I was at Burning Man, recharging the batteries one morning. I wasn't paying attention, and I accidentally plugged one battery into another battery instead of plugging it into the charger. There was a brilliant white light as the contacts started arcing against each other. I quickly unplugged the batteries and regained my composure.
  
  Since this battery is designed to provide 100 Amperes continuous current in normal use, one can only imagine what the short-circuit current capability is. The manufacturer doesn't provide any safety fuses or shutoff circuits in the packs. It's safe to assume that two of these batteries plugged into each other would catch fire in about 10 seconds.
  
  Imagine if I had plugged two batteries into each other on an airplane! I had enough incendiary material on hand to start four fine lithium fires on that aircraft, not that I would want to do anything remotely like that. I really don't know what the flight crew would have done about that situation. It definitely would make headlines.
  
  So can you please tell me why you think that the TSA allows incendiary devices to be carried on board, but not bottled water?
  
  Bruce's reply? "Because there was an uncovered liquid plot, but no documented battery plot."
  
  --
  The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.
20. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:29 · Score: 0
  
  Probably was an authorized apple repair center, figured it would be an improvement.
21. Re:Waiting for facts by Tyr07 · 2012-05-04 04:32 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  The new iphone 4S. 4x the magic smoke when let out.
22. Re:Waiting for facts by Dishevel · 2012-05-04 04:35 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I used to hold it wrong ... Till I took an arrow to the knee.
  Sorry.
  
  --
  Why is it so hard to only have politicians for a few years, then have them go away?
23. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:37 · Score: 1
  
  Wonderful republican response sir!
24. Re:Waiting for facts by erroneus · 2012-05-04 04:48 · Score: 1
  
  Indeed. The "hand" which is an instrument the vast majority of us are born with have a known range of sizes, functionalities and physical properties. It is known how the hand is used when interacting with other objects. So when the design of an object is not completely suitable for comfortable use by a hand, then you have to blame the design of the object not the hand since we all know the ubiquitous hand came long, long before and will persist long, long after.
  It's immeasurably arrogant to think your design is perfect while the use of your hand is incorrect in most cases and especially for hand-held electronics.
25. Re:Waiting for facts by erroneus · 2012-05-04 04:54 · Score: 1, Interesting
  
  I simply concur with this. For a wide variety of reasons, the move to make the battery not replaceable was an act of pure selfishness on the part of the designer. I'm not going to blame only Apple for this, but any electronic device maker who is guilty of this behavior. Apple was NOT the first to commit this sin. Among the many things I have owned with a Sony label on them, I owned a Sony Clie' when PalmOS was a fun and useful thing to have. It was a superior device with vivid color, expandable storage using the memory stick and all that. The problem was, however, that the battery would eventually lose its ability to maintain a charge. The expensive device became useless and irreparable. You could send it to Sony, but that's only a good idea if you NEED your data back and never expect to repeat this task in the future... the Clie' was discontinued when people got sick of the non-replaceable battery problem.
  Once I learned that lesson, long before the iPhone was considered, I just shook my head when I learned the battery wasn't replaceable by the user. I knew what was coming.
26. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:55 · Score: 0
  
  So can you please tell me why you think that the TSA allows incendiary devices to be carried on board, but not bottled water?
  
  Because they're bureaucrats and rent-a-cops, and neither group is know for high intelligence.
27. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:59 · Score: 1
  
  Point of order - Your Galaxy Nexus has terrible battery life. It wouldn't be a fire risk anyway!
28. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:05 · Score: 0
  
  Quick everyone, lets start scanning porn for documented battery plots!
29. Re:Waiting for facts by noh8rz3 · 2012-05-04 05:06 · Score: 2
  
  Not to mention that someone fruity could lobby for laws that outlaw third party repairs as a result...
  Why bring homosexuality into this? Troll!
30. Re:Waiting for facts by erroneus · 2012-05-04 05:07 · Score: 1
  
  A brilliant first post. I wish others would do that. Unfortunately, though it gave me cause to pause and think before reacting, I still arrived at the conclusion that "non-removable batteries are a bad idea" not just because Apple did it, but because others have tried it before Apple did. That practice killed the Sony Clie'. It hasn't killed iPhone yet because people replace their iPhones with other newer iPhones before the battery goes bad most of the time and others don't yet mind being enslaved to Apple's way of doing things.
31. Re:Waiting for facts by m.ducharme · 2012-05-04 05:14 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Just to add a counter-factual point to your anecdote, I recall some time ago being in the market for a music player. the iPods at the time were white, second or third gen I guess, and of course the non-replaceable battery issue was as live then as it seems to be now. So I shopped around, and bought an iRiver. nice player, good capacity, user-serviceable battery.
  3 years or so later, when the time came around to replace the battery, I went online to order a replacement only to find that the battery I needed, with a specific shape and plug, had been discontinued, and there was no way I could get a new one, branded or after-market.
  Since then, I haven't been fussed about the non-replaceable battery issue, really.
  
  --
  Rule of Slashdot #0: You and people like you are not representative of the larger population. - A.C.
32. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:35 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Why wait for a law?
  There are several federal agencies that can make something effectively illegal simply by editing a list, and publishing it. We had to amend the constitution of make alcohol illegal, but drugs float from schedule to schedule at the whim of the FDA. The ATF, does the same thing. Neither offer, nor will when asked, a shred of evidence behind their reasoning.
33. Re:Waiting for facts by gl4ss · 2012-05-04 05:36 · Score: 1
  
  why not go full conspiracy on it and say that it was a 3rd party repair by apple to ban 3rd party repairs ;).
  if the stupid thing had a removable battery in the first place it wouldn't have been damaged in the repair.
  
  --
  world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
34. Re:Waiting for facts by Hognoxious · 2012-05-04 05:37 · Score: 1
  
  My Archos Jukebox might have been bulky and an unfashionable colour, but it ran on AA cells. You don't get much more replaceable than that.
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
35. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:44 · Score: 0
  
  That's not the worst of it. The real outcome is that TSA will now ban all electronic devices as deadly terrorist weapons.
  If you have ever been through security at Ben Gurion airport (Tel Aviv) they already do assume any electronic device is a potential bomb.
36. Re:Waiting for facts by Caerdwyn · 2012-05-04 05:45 · Score: 1
  
  Haters have a very serious problem with truth. It's as simple as that. (It's part of why they're haters)
  
  --
  Everybody gets what the majority deserves.
37. Re:Waiting for facts by kylemonger · 2012-05-04 05:56 · Score: 0
  
  Ha, as if some exhausted / suicidal Foxconn employee is any less likely leave a loose screw in the battery compartment.
38. Re:Waiting for facts by m.ducharme · 2012-05-04 05:58 · Score: 1
  
  True that. The store I worked at didn't sell Archos, or I might have bought one of those instead.
  
  --
  Rule of Slashdot #0: You and people like you are not representative of the larger population. - A.C.
39. Re:Waiting for facts by timster · 2012-05-04 05:58 · Score: 1
  
  In Soviet Russia, Oog the open-source caveman holds you wrong, in all caps. I think that about covers it
  Not sorry.
  
  --
  I have seen the future, and it is inconvenient.
40. Re:Waiting for facts by Anomalyst · 2012-05-04 06:07 · Score: 1
  
  I would would recommend looking carefully, based on the smell, and the orifice it exudes from, I don't think that is dew that's dripping.
  
  --
  There is no right to feel safe thru security vaudeville at the expense of everyone's freedom, privacy and tax money.
41. Re:Waiting for facts by boristdog · 2012-05-04 06:07 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Why bring homosexuality into this? Troll!
  Yeah, it's already an Apple thread!
  DOUBLE TROLL!
42. Re:Waiting for facts by jamiesan · 2012-05-04 06:18 · Score: 2
  
  Or a loose nut in front of the touch screen?
43. Re:Waiting for facts by phayes · 2012-05-04 06:20 · Score: 1
  
  First off, the assembly process & quality control makes this unlikely except through sabotage. Secondly, there have been no instances of Foxconn sabotaged iPhones spontaneously combusting so its just a daydream of the apple haters.
  
  --
  Democracy is a sheep and two wolves deciding what to have for lunch. Freedom is a well armed sheep contesting the issue
44. Re:Waiting for facts by 140Mandak262Jamuna · 2012-05-04 06:23 · Score: 1
  
  Why did you post it here? Man! TSA has elevated CYA to an art form. All it takes is one agent to read slashdot, and boom! they will ban all batteries.
  
  --
  sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
45. Re:Waiting for facts by houghi · 2012-05-04 06:27 · Score: 1
  
  It's safe to assume that two of these batteries plugged into each other would catch fire in about 10 seconds.
  This is /. Please do this and film it. If possible in bullet time as well as with a heat sensor camera.
  
  --
  Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
46. Re:Waiting for facts by DerekLyons · 2012-05-04 06:35 · Score: 1
  
  This. I have a couple of camera's that are now useless for the same reason - I can't find replacements for their custom batteries anymore.
  The problem is less one of "user replaceable batteries" than it is of "unique batteries". OTOH, with battery technology evolving as fast as it is... I'm not sure there's a clear fix for the problem.
47. Re:Waiting for facts by morgauxo · 2012-05-04 06:38 · Score: 1
  
  It takes a certified tech to change a battery without starting a fire??? Yeah, no snarky comments deserved there...
48. Re:Waiting for facts by ZeroSumHappiness · 2012-05-04 06:41 · Score: 1
  
  Hanlon's razor is sufficient for the original failure. I just see an opening for the corporations to capitalize on the situation.
49. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 06:56 · Score: 1
  
  "To the rest of us, including non-devotees who have an apple product, it's still pretty funny."
  The only reason you think it's funny is because you are stupid and thus easily
  amused, even by old jokes.
  Old jokes are stale. Old jokes are no longer funny because they are old and they've been
  heard before. Standup comics know this, that's why they pay well for new material.
  Unlike you I will not resort to name calling as it is a common fallacy in logical arguments. The facts are simple some things will always be funny and those become classics. Apple blaming its "loyal" followers for problems with the operation of a device due to design error is a classic. Many classics lend themselves to variation that can be equally funny.
  So my point is "Your posting it wrong."
50. Re:Waiting for facts by garyoa1 · 2012-05-04 07:23 · Score: 2
  
  TSA
  T ouching
  S omeone's
  A ss
  24/7
  
  --
  Wuddooeyeno? IITYWYBMAD? Like nuts? eclecticallyincorrect.com
51. Re:Waiting for facts by Medievalist · 2012-05-04 07:27 · Score: 1
  
  The problem is less one of "user replaceable batteries" than it is of "unique batteries". OTOH, with battery technology evolving as fast as it is... I'm not sure there's a clear fix for the problem.
  Sure there is. Don't buy anything that uses unique batteries or proprietary storage media.
  Use the free market, instead of being abused by it.
52. Re:Waiting for facts by pkinetics · 2012-05-04 07:28 · Score: 1
  
  What would a smart phone look like that ran on AA batteries?
53. Re:Waiting for facts by mattack2 · 2012-05-04 07:40 · Score: 1
  
  In general, I'd agree with you, but I saw "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", and it was funny/entertaining, even though a bunch of the jokes were very old (e.g. "I don't even buy green bananas", "if she dies, she dies"). It was a free screening though, so I was probably easier on the old jokes than I would have been otherwise.
54. Re:Waiting for facts by gnasher719 · 2012-05-04 07:45 · Score: 1
  
  My iPod Mini had a non-removable battery. The replacement battery cost Â£3.95, and it took about 15 minutes to dissassemble, swap the battery, and reassemble.
55. Re:Waiting for facts by CrankyFool · 2012-05-04 08:11 · Score: 2
  
  I've been through Ben Gurion a few times (I'm Israli-born and still have an Israeli passport). They may certainly assume that, but -- given that I was traveling at the time with a portable DVD player, additional battery, two power adapters, a cellphone, and an iPod, I can assure you it is in no way banned.
56. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 08:20 · Score: 0
  
  jeez, some newbs must be itchin to blow those mod points! OOOH GOODY - I'm gonna assign "Informative" to the fist 5 posts I read!
57. Re:Waiting for facts by flightmaker · 2012-05-04 08:25 · Score: 1
  
  Which is exactly why, when I splashed out about 4x more cash than I've ever paid for a camera before, on a Pentax K7, I bought the battery grip at the same time. Now, if I can't find a replacement internal battery, I can power it with AA size NiMH cells. Yes, the battery grip makes the camera rather bulky, but at least I can continue to use it so long as I can buy AA cells.
58. Re:Waiting for facts by Ihmhi · 2012-05-04 08:51 · Score: 1
  
  I don't think the Founding Fathers really anticipated the level of collusion that exists between the different branches of government. The ultimate check on government power is the people not taking any of their shit, and we fucked that up pretty righteously.
  If you tried to pull any of the things that government departments do on a weekly basis here 200 or so years ago there would have been a goddamned rebellion.
  
  --
  Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)
59. Re:Waiting for facts by Tharsman · 2012-05-04 09:00 · Score: 1
  
  Slashdot's comment section is more about cathartic bashing than insightful commentary.p>
  
  You are reading it wrong. :P
60. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 09:01 · Score: 0
  
  A while back one of my friends flew to Israel and they asked him why he didn't have a charger for his phone.
  He said he didn't need one, he was only going for two days and it was a [insert name of Nokia candybar model that didn't do anything fancy but you can buy them third hand and it's still on the original charge].
  They let him through. He reckoned from the look on the guy's face that it wasn't because they believed him but they knew.
61. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 09:19 · Score: 0
  
  And with most other devices where you're actually supposed to be able to change the battery, it requires the same cost of a battery, and about 15 seconds, and is almost impossible to cause damage to other parts of the device in the process.
62. Re:Waiting for facts by Hognoxious · 2012-05-04 09:26 · Score: 1
  
  Something like the Nokia 9210 Communicator?
  But then there is such a thing as a tripleA battery ...
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
63. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 09:44 · Score: 0
  
  No, it takes a certified tech to replace the screen. Even an idiot can at least read the summary. Well, almost every idiot....
64. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 10:23 · Score: 0
  
  You sounded like such an Apple fanboy that for the first time *ever*, I trolled through a poster's history (and i've been on Slashdot as an AC since 95).
  You sir are an Apple fanboy. You hate Microsoft, you hate Google and praise everything Apple does. Your one-eyed blindness makes all of your postings lack credibility. You talked about having karma of -1 ... I understand why.
  Its a shame, because your postings are better than the average Slashdotter.
  I give credit where it's due. Why don't you try that just a little more with Google and Microsoft... Maybe a balanced view would help your Karma.
  AC
  PS your post sucked
65. Re:Waiting for facts by quacking+duck · 2012-05-04 10:47 · Score: 1
  
  Thinner by 0.36mm, true.
  But the iPhone 4S lasts far longer than the Nexus in web browsing and video playback, though it loses in talk time.
  This despite the Nexus having a 22% higher battery capacity:
  Nexus: 1750 mAh
  iPhone 4S: 1432 mAh
  Obviously the larger screen and pixel count account for the poor web and video test results, so the user has to decide if the tradeoff is worth it for them.
66. Re:Waiting for facts by jo_ham · 2012-05-04 12:51 · Score: 1
  
  Well, the counterpoint to that is that the battery can be much bigger and the device much smaller, giving you increased battery life for the same size of device. The only downside being that after 2 years or so (my 3G was still going strong when I gave it to a family member, and it's still fine) it takes you 15 mins to change the battery pack instead of 30 seconds.
  I'll take that extended battery life and lack of a removable door/panel for the "pure selfishness" of the designer forcing me to take 10 minutes or so to swap out the battery every 2+ years.
  "Pure selfishness" on the part of the designer? I mean really? That's what you're going with? I get it, you hate Apple with the passion of a thousand burning suns for... some reason that escapes me. That they make... stuff? Stuff that there are alternatives for? But because people buy the Apple version and not the version you clearly think is superior this makes you hate Apple? Something like that. It's not entirely clear.
  Either way, perhaps the idea that an inbuilt battery might actually be a beneficial feature for the large majority of users (with obvious cases where a separate battery is necessary for some) has escaped you?
  Oh, and "battery not replaceable by user" is a bit of a stretch. I'm a user and I've replaced a couple of them - one faulty in a 3GS, one worn out in a 4. "Not replaceable" implies that you have to throw away the device when the battery is spent and it's simply untrue.
67. Re:Waiting for facts by jo_ham · 2012-05-04 12:57 · Score: 1
  
  Screen replacement, but good attempt at reading comprehension anyway.
  Either way, the screen is not much more difficult than the battery to replace. It's not really a case of "needing" an authorised repair tech, but at least authorised shops do QA before handing back the phone. Muppetry of the highest order to leave a screw in there and hand it back to the customer.
68. Re:Waiting for facts by Belial6 · 2012-05-04 13:34 · Score: 1
  
  It doesn't help that "It's the user's fault" is still a regularly practiced mantra among the Apple devout.
69. Re:Waiting for facts by Belial6 · 2012-05-04 13:41 · Score: 1
  
  Claiming that Apple products have end user replaceable batteries are a pretty clear indication that you are a fanboy.
70. Re:Waiting for facts by safetyinnumbers · 2012-05-04 13:53 · Score: 1
  
  The Clie was discontinued when people got sick of the non-replaceable battery problem
  I don't know if that's the reason, because at least some of the Clie range had a removable battery cover. I replaced the battery on mine, I think it was a TJ35. The SJ22 I had earlier had a cover, too. Those were nice machines, with the color screens and jog dial.
71. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 14:28 · Score: 0
  
  I've been through Ben Gurion a few times (I'm Israli-born and still have an Israeli passport). They may certainly assume that, but -- given that I was traveling at the time with a portable DVD player, additional battery, two power adapters, a cellphone, and an iPod, I can assure you it is in no way banned.
  I never said they are "banned"...and you only had it easy because you are traveling on an Israeli passport. Non-Jewish foreigners have a much harder time.
72. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 16:18 · Score: 0
  
  Given that you can still buy a battery for every iriver device ever created, I'm going to just go ahead and call you out as an apple fanboy. 30 seconds of searching on ebay would've provided the battery you just couldn't find.
73. Re:Waiting for facts by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 20:24 · Score: 0
  
  You must be a hoot at parties.
74. Re:Waiting for facts by catmistake · 2012-05-04 20:56 · Score: 1
  
  After reading the snarky comments in the previous story ...
  Agreed. There are always biased and completely unfair assessments in any market. I have no doubt that Android, Windows and other smart phones combust just as good as iPhones, if not better, depending on the application or environment. Regarding exploding punctured batteries, I believe it all comes down to individual personal preference.
  
  --
  The Admin and the Engineer
75. Re:Waiting for facts by Hognoxious · 2012-05-04 20:58 · Score: 1
  
  Sensible move, I got the equivalent for my Canon EOS. You can also put two of the normal proprietary batteries in it by changing the insert.
  The other plus is that if you're roving about and the nimmies run out you can buy AAs almost anywhere.
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
76. Re:Waiting for facts by Hognoxious · 2012-05-04 21:20 · Score: 1
  
  the battery can be much bigger and the device much smaller, giving you increased battery life for the same size of device.
  
  If the battery is replaceable the life basically depends on how many spares you can fit in you're purse, or whatever you hipsters call it.
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
77. Re:Waiting for facts by jo_ham · 2012-05-05 01:33 · Score: 1
  
  the battery can be much bigger and the device much smaller, giving you increased battery life for the same size of device.
  If the battery is replaceable the life basically depends on how many spares you can fit in you're purse, or whatever you hipsters call it.
  Oh, I should have also added that it gives you increased battery life without having the compromise of carrying around spare batteries with you (although that doesn't stop you from carrying around an external battery pack that is the same size as a spare battery in a replaceable model that plugs into the phone to assist the internal battery in times when you really need it).
  The insults are also superfluous - I'm not trying to be hostile here. Why do you Apple haters always have to make it into some sort of flame war? I don;t have anything against Android or those who use it, or even those who choose phones with removable batteries. I'm certainly not insulting them for their choices.
78. Re:Waiting for facts by cffrost · 2012-05-05 05:05 · Score: 1
  
  Something like the Nokia 9210 Communicator?
  But then there is such a thing as a tripleA battery ...
  There are also AAAA batteries. Standard 9-volt (nominal) batteries contain six AAAA batteries in series.
  
  --
  Thank you, Edward Snowden.
  
  "Arguments from authority are worthless." —Carl Sagan
79. Re:Waiting for facts by goombah99 · 2012-05-05 05:37 · Score: 1
  
  That's not the worst of it. The real outcome is that TSA will now ban all electronic devices as deadly terrorist weapons.
  Nah. Just the ones with removable batteries that could be manipulated in flight.
  
  --
  Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
80. Re:Waiting for facts by Bobfrankly1 · 2012-05-07 03:25 · Score: 1
  
  I would would recommend looking carefully, based on the smell, and the orifice it exudes from, I don't think that is dew that's dripping.
  I was of course speaking from the perspective of the aforementioned monks. =D
81. Re:Waiting for facts by Bobfrankly1 · 2012-05-07 03:31 · Score: 1
  
  The only reason you think it's funny is because you are stupid and thus easily amused, even by old jokes.
  Hostility is not the way of Jobsian monks, quickly now, return to the path. Buy an app and repent.
  
  Seriously though, your willingness to call someone stupid because their taste in humor differs from yours shows how intolerant and close-minded you are. Your opinion is invalid.
82. Re:Waiting for facts by Obfuscant · 2012-05-07 04:36 · Score: 1
  
  Standard 9-volt (nominal) batteries contain six AAAA batteries in series.
  Some of them do, some of them don't. Depends on the brand. If they do, they aren't standard AAAA, they don't have the identical packaging.
83. Re:Waiting for facts by morgauxo · 2012-05-09 05:53 · Score: 1
  
  Ah, that's not as bad then. I caught that the screw was in the battery compartment and I guess just fixated on that detail
Five sided screws by CmdrPorno · 2012-05-04 03:47 · Score: 5, Funny

The report says the shop that performed the repair was not an authorized Apple repair shop, and shows the device as having the old, dangerous standard Philips screws. Now we know why Apple has been so adamant about switching from regular Philips screws to five-sided screws--with the five sided, tamper-resistant screws, there is no chance that an unauthorized repair facility would be able to create an explosive condition by leaving a screw inside the iPhone.

--
Sent from my iPhone
1. Re:Five sided screws by spire3661 · 2012-05-04 03:53 · Score: 0
  
  This argument precludes the possibility of easily sourcing a pentabular screwdriver. In short, your logic falls flat on its face.
  
  --
  Good-bye
2. Re:Five sided screws by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 03:54 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Shit, better hide this from unauthorized repair facilities!
3. Re:Five sided screws by UnknowingFool · 2012-05-04 04:01 · Score: 1
  
  Er? Your logic is as baffling as the OP. An authorized facility could have as easily botched the repair by leaving a screw inside the iPhone. But an authorized repair facility would have bought and used five-sided screws and would have purchased the necessary screwdriver. With Philips screws it shows clearly that the repair was not done by an authorized repair facility.
  
  --
  Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
4. Re:Five sided screws by sexconker · 2012-05-04 04:01 · Score: 1, Informative
  
  WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH
5. Re:Five sided screws by Sarten-X · 2012-05-04 04:10 · Score: 1
  
  An authorized facility has gone through the process to get authorized (though I don't know what that entails), so it carries the expectation that they'll follow the procedure to not run a screw through a battery.
  
  --
  You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
6. Re:Five sided screws by tlhIngan · 2012-05-04 04:11 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  This argument precludes the possibility of easily sourcing a pentabular screwdriver. In short, your logic falls flat on its face.
  There aren't any easy sources. iFixit had to specially comission a build - they CNC cut their own pentalobe screws. Their cheaper kits use a star screwdriver that improperly fits, but since it's a single use item, it's not a big deal (and it'll leave marks on the screw that a proper screwdriver won't). They reluctantly sell these things to the public.
  Basically, if someone is willing to go through the trouble of sourcing a screwdriver and paying $30 for it (plus shipping), it's already a one up from someone who'll just take a knife to unscrew it (yes, I've seen that happen).
  It's basically one of those "if you're doing this, you probalby know what you're doing" intelligence tests. A 5 lobe screwdriver is pretty hard to find to begin with, and those that'll go through the effort of procuring one, well, probably have the skills and know-how to do it.
  If you're going to places like iFixit to get tools to repair stuff, that's already a huge step up in the skills game. Sure a skilled repairman could make the same mistake, but they're also far more attentive and if they're missing a screw or have parts left over, will probably investigate. There I Fixed It has some stunning examples of what people can do. (Unfortunately, it also contains some smart fixes as well, but the older entries are more interesting).
7. Re:Five sided screws by Desler · 2012-05-04 04:16 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  What trouble in sourcing a screwdriver? You can buy one here for $5. And there are others that are easily found with 5 seconds of Amazon searching.
8. Re:Five sided screws by idontgno · 2012-05-04 04:20 · Score: 0
  
  Um... if you don't have that expectation of any repair facility, you're doing it wrong.
  If I drive my car away from the local garage, I do not feel or express surprise it didn't explode when I started the engine. It's a repair shop. I expect it it repair things.
  If a repair facility breaks something, it doesn't matter if the facility was at the dealership or Joe's Garage... and frankly, the worst service I've ever had on most anything was with "authorized" repair providers, so the implicit "An Apple-authorized repair facility wouldn't have done this" is wrong on its face. (Unless you're still subject to the RDF and hold the faith-based position that an Apple anything is infallible and sacrosanct.)
  
  --
  Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
9. Re:Five sided screws by HarrySquatter · 2012-05-04 04:22 · Score: 2
  
  If going to Amazon and typing "iPhone screwdriver" is what you consider a "pretty hard" thing to do, that says more about your intelligence not those of others.
10. Re:Five sided screws by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:23 · Score: 0
  
  I read those scanned Nokia service manuals from Chinese sites. The first thing they tell you right after undoing the screws is to discard them. It would seem that they (at least Nokia) realize that the screws heads are so thin that they are also one time use.
11. Re:Five sided screws by Sarten-X · 2012-05-04 04:42 · Score: 1
  
  Interesting you should use that analogy, given the reputation of car mechanics when I was growing up for being shady places whose work you'd often want double-checked... Nowadays, almost all mechanics shops are certified by various industry groups, and the ones that aren't go out of business real quick.
  Computers (and especially mobile devices) are still magic boxes to most people (as cars used to be), so outside of the Slashdot crowd, fly-by-night repair shops are a common resource for repairs. Anyone bold enough to claim they can fix this complicated device obviously has a deep understanding of what's involved, so they are clearly well-educated and trustworthy, right?
  
  --
  You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
12. Re:Five sided screws by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:09 · Score: 0
  
  I don't get it.
  Oooh, I see what you did there. I see it.
13. Re:Five sided screws by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:46 · Score: 0
  
  No fucking shit, you bastard cunting arse. Thanks a pissing ton for pointing it out.
14. Re:Five sided screws by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 09:53 · Score: 0
  
  Or, they could be like me and pick up one of those electronics screwdriver sets from a computer store, to give me the ability to remove any screw from say... a hard drive, a wiimote, a PS3 controller, an apple anything, and basically any screw any electronics manufacterer uses.
  About the only thing I'd have problems unscrewing is one of those extra-security drive types that have a pin in the middle... at which point, it'd be laughably easy to buy one of those at a security store, or online.
15. Re:Five sided screws by Hognoxious · 2012-05-04 23:24 · Score: 1
  
  Bof. Just get a torx head and file one of the points off with an angle grinder.
  Do I have to do all the fucking thinking round here?
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
iPhone emits dense smoke by NoNonAlphaCharsHere · 2012-05-04 03:48 · Score: 1, Funny

Well, it's not the first smoke screen we've seen from Apple...
trueism. by MrShaggy · 2012-05-04 03:49 · Score: 2

I guess the old saying 'don't let the smoke out' is true.

--
I have mod points and I am not afraid to use them.
See, this is why they should be welded shut by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 03:51 · Score: 0

So that unauthorized, non-dealer repairs can't be done on cars.
Oh, wait, we're talking about phones.
so much for iPad piloting... by quickgold192 · 2012-05-04 03:54 · Score: 0

Even though it was an unauthorized repair, I wonder if the FAA will be reconsidering its iPad approval.
1. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by UnknowingFool · 2012-05-04 04:02 · Score: 2
  
  Why would they? A airplane mechanic can botch a repair job on the airplane. Should they ban pilots using airplanes?
  
  --
  Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
2. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:14 · Score: 0
  
  The reason they would, is that an iPad has an enormous battery, which can be used to do very bad things on an airplane. Your mention of an airplane mechanic and a pilot doesn't seem related in any way to this situation, so I have to question your thinking skills.
3. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by slimjim8094 · 2012-05-04 04:36 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, but if an airplane mechanic botches a repair job on a plane, he loses his license or gets a huge fine, and can be sued for a lot of money if there are injuries or damages. An iPhone mechanic has no license, can't be fined, and if you wanted to take it to court, you wouldn't get much more than the value of the phone (much more and this shady company would just go bankrupt and not pay)
  
  --
  I have developed a truly marvelous proof of this comment, which this signature is too narrow to contain.
4. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by UnknowingFool · 2012-05-04 05:01 · Score: 1
  
  The new iPad as 43kWh battery. Some laptops have much larger batteries than this. Anyone can screw up a laptop repair and put the crew in danger. You don't ban all laptops because someone screwed up their job. I have to question your understanding of real world situations.
  
  --
  Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
5. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by UnknowingFool · 2012-05-04 05:03 · Score: 1
  
  A laptop technician can screw up a laptop repair. In fact some laptop batteries have exploded (see Sony battery issues) without any repair at all. You don't ban laptops from planes do they?
  
  --
  Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
6. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by NixieBunny · 2012-05-04 05:17 · Score: 1
  
  43kWh? I think you've got a few extra orders of magnitude in there. That is enough energy to run a car for a hundred miles.
  
  --
  The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.
7. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by slimjim8094 · 2012-05-04 05:50 · Score: 1
  
  What are you talking about? I'm agreeing with you. Your original post was about the plane itself, which is a different beast since there's liabilities for mechanics. I don't know why you brought them into it.
  As stupid as the GGP's comment was, I don't think it was about the device itself. The article he linked was talking about using them to replace paper charts.
  
  --
  I have developed a truly marvelous proof of this comment, which this signature is too narrow to contain.
8. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:54 · Score: 0
  
  The 'real world situation' is that they've banned all liquids because somebody might be able to smuggle in something that might be dangerous in a water bottle so... I'd say his understanding his about right.
9. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by Obfuscant · 2012-05-04 09:33 · Score: 1
  
  Should they ban pilots using airplanes?
  It is a statistical fact that 99.9% of all airplane accidents, fatal or non-fatal, involve a pilot. So, yes. We'd save lots of lives is we banned pilots from airplaines.
10. Re:so much for iPad piloting... by quenda · 2012-05-04 12:53 · Score: 1
  
  He means the iPad5 prototype with RTG. Non-rechargeable, but runs for 10 years.
  The principal advantage is elimination of the charging socket, which spoils the smooth lines of earlier models.
How do they know it's 'unauthorized'? by gelfling · 2012-05-04 03:54 · Score: 3, Insightful

I wonder, and so what?
1. Re:How do they know it's 'unauthorized'? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:07 · Score: 1
  
  "Authorized" repair from Apple will replace the screws with 5-wing security screws, normal people will use normal phillips-head or hex or whatever.
  Also, I hate that term "authorized repair". I mean, who owns the device, here? I'm not fucking leasing the thing, I bought it.
2. Re:How do they know it's 'unauthorized'? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:10 · Score: 0
  
  Don't you know? Certified Apple repair techs only use proprietary Apple certified screws.
3. Re:How do they know it's 'unauthorized'? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:12 · Score: 1
  
  [How do they know it's 'unauthorized'?] I wonder, and so what?
  They know it was unauthorized because it functioned incorrectly. If it were authorized, that would mean an Apple product and service were imperfect. However, Apple is infallible (tautology); therefore, an imperfect Apple product or service would be a contradiction. Hence, it was unauthorized. QED.
4. Re:How do they know it's 'unauthorized'? by Laebshade · 2012-05-04 06:25 · Score: 1
  
  I worked for a small PC repair shop that became authorized by Apple to perform repairs. The person repairing the Macs had to take a lengthy test to ensure they were competent in Apple product repair. We then became an Apple authorized repair center and would receive pre-paid shipping boxes with the replacement parts to send the old parts free of charge. We also got a significant reimbursement for time spent performing the repairs.
  That is what they mean by 'authorized', either an official Apple store or a 3rd-party authorized repair company. Anyone can repair them if they right tools, but it may void the warranty since it's made by an unauthorized third-party.
5. Re:How do they know it's 'unauthorized'? by burne · 2012-05-04 23:05 · Score: 1
  
  They asked the owner where he had it repaired.
  "Authorized repairs" are done to a plan, designed to minimize costs and risks, and to maximize succes-rate.
Batteries becoming as dangerous as tanks by cpu6502 · 2012-05-04 03:55 · Score: 2

With the amount of energy they are squeezing into modern batteries, they are becoming almost as dangerous as a small diesel tank inside your phone or laptop. A random short can lead to a sudden release of all that trapped energy.

--
My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
1. Re:Batteries becoming as dangerous as tanks by gstrickler · 2012-05-04 04:02 · Score: 1
  
  Except that they don't explode, they burn. Lots of energy, but it can't be released fast enough to actually "explode". While the same is true of liquid fuels, if you can vaporize or aerosolize those fuels, they can become explosive. See "internal combustion engine" or "fuel-air bomb" for examples. They can be dangerous, but they're not as dangerous as a fuel tank can be.
  
  --
  make imaginary.friends COUNT=100 VISIBLE=false
2. Re:Batteries becoming as dangerous as tanks by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:26 · Score: 0
  
  That's why these batteries packs have protection circuits inside the packs to prevent over charging/discharging and over current.
  Google for "li-ion protection ic"... Only 5 million+ hits.
3. Re:Batteries becoming as dangerous as tanks by RichMan · 2012-05-04 04:51 · Score: 1
  
  Simply place some nice accelerant, or substance that releases lethal gas when burned, in the battery, make it look like a factory battery and you have nice attack vector the idiots at the TSA should have eliminated 10 years ago.
4. Re:Batteries becoming as dangerous as tanks by cpu6502 · 2012-05-04 05:56 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah that's why I said diesel tank. They don't explode, but instead burn like a battery.
  
  --
  My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
5. Re:Batteries becoming as dangerous as tanks by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 06:28 · Score: 0
  
  Knock on your door in 3...2...1...
6. Re:Batteries becoming as dangerous as tanks by jo_ham · 2012-05-04 13:03 · Score: 1
  
  Diesel doesn't burn either (at least not easily). You can put out fires with diesel.
First rule of any tech repair by macraig · 2012-05-04 03:57 · Score: 5, Insightful

First rule of any tech repair, 'authorized' or not:
1. Always have a method to account for every screw and part removed!
I'm not authorized to service my own laptops, one of them has been disassembled literally dozens of times, and yet this scenario is very unlikely to happen to me. I have sets of interlocking parts compartments that I have labelled specifically for teardowns of each laptop; the screws are grouped by progressive steps or layers of the teardown, and further by size in some instances. This is critical even for someone performing the same teardown every day, as no one is perfect, but it's especially critical for those first or one-time teardowns.
This screw got misplaced not because the guy was 'unauthorized' but rather because he was careless and foolish. Just because a person is indeed authorized (or degreed) is no exemption from carelessness and foolishness.
1. Re:First rule of any tech repair by sexconker · 2012-05-04 04:05 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  First rule of any tech repair, 'authorized' or not:
  1. Always have a method to account for every screw and part removed!
  I'm not authorized to service my own laptops, one of them has been disassembled literally dozens of times, and yet this scenario is very unlikely to happen to me. I have sets of interlocking parts compartments that I have labelled specifically for teardowns of each laptop; the screws are grouped by progressive steps or layers of the teardown, and further by size in some instances. This is critical even for someone performing the same teardown every day, as no one is perfect, but it's especially critical for those first or one-time teardowns.
  This screw got misplaced not because the guy was 'unauthorized' but rather because he was careless and foolish. Just because a person is indeed authorized (or degreed) is no exemption from carelessness and foolishness.
  Little plastic compartments?
  In my day we used an egg carton.
2. Re:First rule of any tech repair by fluffythedestroyer · 2012-05-04 04:13 · Score: 1
  
  Ok this aint a bait but the way I see it is it's easier to blame when your not authorized to repair devices. For example I repair lenovo, compact, samsung and other laptops and I'm not authorised to do it but I do everything to make sure it's safe and working correctly (yup, I use a map, paper and pen to make sure I don't misplace a single screw...man there's lots of screws in those laptops now)
  Also, I'm surprised to hear that you can actually fit a screw inside the the iphone... I thought those things were so compact you couldn't fit anything else. Perhaps the CASA should go ahead with their recommendation which is :
  
  recommendations regarding the carriage of lithium batteries in checked baggage
3. Re:First rule of any tech repair by Obfuscant · 2012-05-04 04:15 · Score: 1
  
  In my day we used an egg carton.
  A piece of masking tape on the benchtop, sticky side up.
4. Re:First rule of any tech repair by macraig · 2012-05-04 04:23 · Score: 1
  
  That'll work! I once used them in a pinch to organize my mineral collection. Ain't nuthin' wrong with repurposing whatcha already got; I just happened to acquire something a bit more specialized.
5. Re:First rule of any tech repair by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:25 · Score: 0
  
  Worked on a lot of Compacts, have you? Never looked at the labels on them?
  BTW, there is no more Compaq, they're a wholly owned HP subsidiary, and have been for many years.
6. Re:First rule of any tech repair by macraig · 2012-05-04 04:28 · Score: 1
  
  ... AND then other pieces sticky side down, to label the contents of the pieces sticky side up? And if your elbow gets a mind of its own...? No thanks! I'll stick with my labelled locking compartments!
7. Re:First rule of any tech repair by krakelohm · 2012-05-04 04:30 · Score: 1
  
  On the occasion I am ripping apart a laptop I use a sheet of sticky paper from a lint roller & a sharpie. Each pile of screws is from a different step and the sharpie labels each pile. Easy pleasy.
  
  --
  You are all a bunch of idots.
8. Re:First rule of any tech repair by macraig · 2012-05-04 04:36 · Score: 1
  
  Buy a bunch of something like these, group bunches together specific to the process for each model you need to tear down regularly, and keep a bunch for ad hoc projects. Use a thermal labeler to make little labels for each compartment describing the contents, including the number that should be present. I use my own shorthand to fit the necessary info on each little label. Connect the compartments linearly or laterally in the order they will be used, and you can't go wrong.
9. Re:First rule of any tech repair by macraig · 2012-05-04 04:40 · Score: 1
  
  Your elbow could lay waste to your plan. My elbow has no effect on mine!
10. Re:First rule of any tech repair by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:53 · Score: 0
  
  First rule of any tech repair:
  1. Always have at least one screw or other small part left over after the repair is complete.
11. Re:First rule of any tech repair by phorm · 2012-05-04 05:05 · Score: 2
  
  I usually take a picture of the device (several if there are "layers" to the disassembly) and print it off.
  Then I poke the screws into the picture in the same place as they were removed from the laptop/phone.
  That way, I not only keep track of how many screws I have, but at which stage and location they go back into the device. Result=no forgotten/lost screws, and a good template for the next time I have to disassemble.
12. Re:First rule of any tech repair by Obfuscant · 2012-05-04 05:35 · Score: 1
  
  You need to see a doctor since it seems your elbow keeps leaving the rest of your body and wreaking havoc on your electronics bench. Mine stays right where it belongs, and I don't let it run free to cause problems for innocent bystanders. Unlike that fellow "World Peace" of the NBA who coldcocked an opposing player "by accident" with his.
13. Re:First rule of any tech repair by macraig · 2012-05-04 05:37 · Score: 1
  
  Not bad, but I'd worry about the screws dislodging from the sheets, etc. I like my labelled locking compartments because they can fall off the desk and no harm done (*if* I keep them closed, which I do). I like the way your method combines a visual workflow with parts storage, though.
14. Re:First rule of any tech repair by phorm · 2012-05-04 06:10 · Score: 2
  
  Not bad, but I'd worry about the screws dislodging from the sheets, etc
  If they're really tiny, I often tape them in place. If the head is big enough, they usually stick fine just poking into the page.
  IIRC, I taped them for the last iPhone I opened up, but laptop screws were a bit bigger and didn't need tape.
15. Re:First rule of any tech repair by BillX · 2012-05-04 14:49 · Score: 1
  
  Ice cube trays are also killer for this. I like that they are ubiquitous and stack well, which comes in handy for complex teardowns or when multiple items / assemblies have to be taken apart concurrently.
  
  --
  Caveat Emptor is not a business model.
16. Re:First rule of any tech repair by Barbara,+not+Barbie · 2012-05-11 04:51 · Score: 1
  
  I'm not authorized to service my own laptops
  
  Sure you are. As the owner, you have the right to service your own laptop, same as you have the right to service your own car, etc. You can even use 3rd-party parts without losing warranty coverage.
  Whether it's an oil change on your car, or adding a second hard drive on a computer, you have the right do to so (you are "authorized") by statute - you don't need to beg the manufacturer for "authorization."
  Of course, if you forget to put the drain plug back in, or shove ram into a socket it doesn't physically fit in, the damage is on you.
  
  --
  Let's call it what it is, Anti-Social Media.
battery compartment design by pinkfalcon · 2012-05-04 04:02 · Score: 5, Funny

This also re-opens the argument that if Apple made the battery replaceable in the first place, then you wouldn't have to damage the phone to replace the battery.

--
Real SUV's don't have cupholders
It's 5:42 A.M., do you know where your stack pointer is?
1. Re:battery compartment design by Goaway · 2012-05-04 05:36 · Score: 0
  
  And then they couldn't fit as large a battery any longer, and battery life would be terrible, and people would hate it.
2. Re:battery compartment design by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:39 · Score: 1
  
  But all of the Android phones that have non-removable batteries get a pass simply because they are not Apple, right?
3. Re:battery compartment design by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 06:02 · Score: 0
  
  Which is why they are going to just glue them together in the future. See! no Screws!
4. Re:battery compartment design by das_io · 2012-05-04 11:13 · Score: 1
  
  It was the display that was replaced, not the battery.
5. Re:battery compartment design by Hognoxious · 2012-05-05 18:55 · Score: 1
  
  If they made them with screens that worked, then that wouldn't have needed replacing.
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
A sensible follow up by Henriok · 2012-05-04 04:04 · Score: 2

I think it's extremely pleasant to read a relevant follow up of a previous article. In this day and age where hysterical or sensational trolling is the main reason for publishing any news items, a calm and sensible follow up where the facts are laid bare is rare. Kudos to Slashdot.

--

- Henrik

- when the Shadows descend -
exploding iphone by CosaNostra+Pizza+Inc · 2012-05-04 04:09 · Score: 3, Funny

Here is your mission should you choose to accept it. .... This iphone will self-destruct in 10 seconds. Have a nice day.
1. Re:exploding iphone by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2012-05-04 05:18 · Score: 1
  
  I'm just waiting for Sony to file a patent lawsuit over this.
  
  --
  
  "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
2. Re:exploding iphone by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 07:12 · Score: 0
  
  I would like to download your App but I can't find it in the App Store!
Got To Save the Smoke by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:14 · Score: 0

When we people admit we are slaves to the Black Smoke?
All our devices run on it as long as the Black Smoke stays inside our devices.
One we let the Black Smoke out our devices no longer work.
I seen it with my own eyes!!
The wrong lesson by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 04:27 · Score: 1

From the article: "The ATSB said the incident highlighted the dangers of using unauthorised repairers."
I would argue that the incident highlights the dangers of not making such devices easily serviceable, with detailed service information freely available.
Second rule of tech repair by Nkwe · 2012-05-04 04:33 · Score: 2

Given that every time you take something apart and put it back together you always have parts left over (and it usually still works), if you take something apart and put it back together enough times you will eventually have two of them.
1. Re:Second rule of tech repair by macraig · 2012-05-04 04:38 · Score: 0
  
  My work violates that second rule of yours. Sorry!
2. Re:Second rule of tech repair by Nkwe · 2012-05-04 06:20 · Score: 1
  
  My work violates that second rule of yours. Sorry!
  Fair enough. I probably should have titled it "alternate rule" instead of "second rule". While I commend you for your rigor in disassembly and reassembly, I suspect that most folks don't and end up falling into the "parts left over" camp. In this case, my rule gets to apply.
stripped threads by tobiah · 2012-05-04 04:51 · Score: 2

When I tear down small devices/laptops I occasionally find a loose screw in there because the threads stripped. This is especially true of portable devices which get a good bit of jostling, and usually around the battery, which swells and shrinks.

--
"The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool" - Jane Wagner -
1. Re:stripped threads by Anomalyst · 2012-05-04 06:15 · Score: 1
  
  Is that a battery in your compartment or are you just happy to have Apple Crap?
  
  --
  There is no right to feel safe thru security vaudeville at the expense of everyone's freedom, privacy and tax money.
Old football injury? by macraig · 2012-05-04 04:57 · Score: 1

Hey, I just had an epiphany: maybe this unauthorised service tech was the victim of too much football in his youth?
ROFLMAO by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:20 · Score: 0

"this iphone will self destruct 10 seconds after an unauthorised repair"
Authorized/unauthorized repairer by WarSpiteX · 2012-05-04 05:20 · Score: 1

Why the emphasis on "unauthorized repairer"? If I become an Apple "genius", does that mean all screws automatically go in their right spots? Am I immune to mistakes?

--

I'm a little segfault, short and stout.
1. Re:Authorized/unauthorized repairer by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 10:28 · Score: 0
  
  You have it backwards... immunity to mistakes is a requirement for becoming a Genius.
2. Re:Authorized/unauthorized repairer by jo_ham · 2012-05-04 13:06 · Score: 1
  
  No, they just suspect a non-Apple/non-Apple-approved shop because the screw was not a 5-lobe custom screw that Apple uses in its repairs.
  It doesn't mean that an authorised repair shop couldn't make the same mistake.
Authorized/unauthorized repairers by Skapare · 2012-05-04 05:30 · Score: 1

The ATSB said the incident highlighted the dangers of using unauthorised repairers.
And this also should highlight manufacturers trying to restrict the scope of authorized repairers.

--
now we need to go OSS in diesel cars
Hologram says: by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 05:31 · Score: 0

You're screwing it wrong.
the sakawa boys by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-04 06:22 · Score: 0

it;s apple magic just like the juju
http://www.vice.com/motherboard/mbd-vbs-the-sakawa-boys
Amazing, the crap people accept for non-repairable electronics.
Words mean things by EmagGeek · 2012-05-04 06:25 · Score: 2

"Authorized" and "Competent" are two completely different words, with completely different meanings. I want my electronics repaired by a "competent" repairer. I don't give a flip if they are "authorized."
yep...laptops more like 50-100 Wh by Chirs · 2012-05-04 06:51 · Score: 1

A Chevy Volt battery pack is 16KWh.
1. Re:yep...laptops more like 50-100 Wh by Hognoxious · 2012-05-05 01:03 · Score: 1
  
  That's like what, 90 donkeypowers for 40 minutes?
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Battery and screen by DrYak · 2012-05-04 07:42 · Score: 1, Informative

No, it DOES make sense.
A user replaceable battery is in a separate compartment as the rest of the electronics (you only need to remove a back cover, which reveals a battery compartment. You don't need to disassemble the whole electronics to change the battery). The point is to avoid the end-user messing with other non replaceable parts when playing with the battery. But in that way, the battery is also isolated from the rest of the phone, thus a botched screen repair isn't very likely to let a loose screw get in contact with the battery. (You need to disassemble the whole electronics to replace the screen. But the battery is some other place any way).
Also, there's a higher chance that, if the battery replacement is made fool proof enough to be done by end-users, a little bit more protection against shorts is going to be included in the batteries. (Although that is not certain).

--
"Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
1. Re:Battery and screen by msauve · 2012-05-04 08:00 · Score: 1
  
  Nope. The claim was that this incident would have been prevented if the phone had a replaceable battery. That's nonsense - the cause was a shoddy repair.
  
  If you want to play "what if," then in some other case, if someone has a phone with a replaceable battery, there's also a much greater chance that they would carry a spare, and have that get shorted out or punctured. Or have a screw left loose inside after a repair, ready to cause a short, with similar results.
  
  --
  "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
2. Re:Battery and screen by arose · 2012-05-04 11:31 · Score: 1
  
  He explained how this precise problem would be avoided in a good user-removable battery design (and there is no reason to postulate that Apple would botch it), you just repeated yourself. I'll call this in GPs favor.
  
  --
  Analogies don't equal equalities, they are merely somewhat analogous.
So by sjames · 2012-05-04 08:33 · Score: 1

In-flight incident caused by an Apple user with a screw loose.