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Apple Recalls 1.8 Million Batteries

If your serial numbers don't work but they should...

I was just on the phone with Apple for about 45min to an hour (waiting). My battery serial number wouldn't take. The guy said it was because the page is bogged down. So you may want to save yourself a phone call and just wait until tomorrow, the next day, or late at night or something...
 
macgeek2005 said:
Does it mean that apple takes your battery back whether you like it or not? Because it might explode?
Click to expand...

They "recycle" the casing. As in use it again. They dispose the battery.

Apparently only nine cases of exploding/flammable batteries have been documented.

And if you don't send it back they will bill you. The cost for not returning the defected battery will be stated in the packaging of the replacement.
 
Well, I have a 15"PB, A1148, and serial of battery is 3K537xxxx..., but it says no-go on website....
cal6n said:
Good question. The FAQ you've linked to quotes:

FAQ.png


While the actual recall site, https://support.apple.com/ibook_powerbook/batteryexchange/ (which is linked from the FAQ site) quotes:

Recall.png


I expect the dust will settle, eventually.
Click to expand...
 
My battery serial number was in the 3K437 range, but the website accepted my computers serial number, but not the battery...

So i changed the last letter of my battery serial number from an A to a C (B diden't work)

And it went thru.....

:D sweet
 
Dustintendo said:
is anyone else having a problem validating thier battery? mine falls within the 6c rance and its saying its not eligible
Click to expand...

Yeah, my A1078 battery from my 15" PB with serial 3K509 clearly lies in the problematic range (3K425 - 3K601) but is not being accepted by the web application... I'm gonna call Apple support tomorrow instead cause it looks like a buggy web app to me.
 
macgeek2005 said:
Does it mean that apple takes your battery back whether you like it or not?
Click to expand...
Yes. Failure to report to our masters in Cupertino will result in a squad of nerds in brown and black cloaks to appear at your door armed with swords, demanding you exchange your old battery for the one they bring you.

In other news, my A1078 cleared the gatekeepers...
 
it says my computer is effect(its model number) but it says my Battery is not...my number on my battery starts with 6C5393... any tell me if it is effected?

Edit- So other people are having this problem too.. damn i was just at the Apple store!
 
zap2 said:
it says my computer is effect(its model number) but it says my Battery is not...my number on my battery starts with 6C5393... any tell me if it is effected?
Click to expand...

The battery is paired with the computer - e.g. one battery goes with the computer serial (don't need to enter that battery serial, it matches up with the computer) and a spare uses its own.
 
nydoofus said:
Code: 
Computer model name     Battery model number    Battery serial numbers

12-inch iBook G4                A1061           3K429 through 3K611
                                                6C510 through 6C626

12-inch PowerBook G4            A1079           ZZ411 through ZZ427
                                                3K428 through 3K611
                                                3K425 through 3K601

15-inch PowerBook G4       A1078 and A1148      6N530 through 6N551
                                                       6N601
Click to expand...

Actually that's not right. You've put the A1078 range (3K425 - 3K601) next to the A1079 battery...
 
4np said:
Yeah, my A1078 battery from my 15" PB with serial 3K509 clearly lies in the problematic range (3K425 - 3K601) but is not being accepted by the web application... I'm gonna call Apple support tomorrow instead cause it looks like a buggy web app to me.
Click to expand...

I was already on the phone with Apple and they said the page is bogged down and to give it some time to cool off. My battery was in the range, Apple told me it was, and the app still doesn't work. Save some time and try again tomorrow or later tonight when people should be asleep.
 
Update 2: Apple appears to have updated the battery model numbers listed on its site. The new models affected are as follows:



12-inch iBook G4 A1061
ZZ338 - ZZ427
3K429 - 3K611
6C519 - 6C552

12-inch PowerBook G4 A1079
ZZ411 - ZZ427
3K428 - 3K611

15-inch PowerBook G4 A1078 and A1148
3K425 - 3K601
6N530 - 6N551
6N601
 
iGary said:
The battery is paired with the computer - e.g. one battery goes with the computer serial (don't need to enter that battery serial, it matches up with the computer) and a spare uses its own.
Click to expand...

It says i need to enter a battery's code, along with the COmputers..it won't let me go any farther without it...maybe SilentPanda is right? wait until tomorrow
 
Of course, the support web site serial numbers on the batteries "no not validate" even though they are within the ranges, and the phone line is busy (probably forever).

My opinion: for anyone who bought an Apple batter from the Apple Store (online), Apple should be required to have kept the serial numbers and contact information and then NOTIFY US rather than having me waste my time trying to get through and endlessly waiting on the phone or endure a faulty web site. Such practice on Apple's part will cause many to just give up and live with a potential fire hazard. :D

Ed
 
bryanc said:
But Apple's server is getting hammered right now... I got through to print out the affected serial numbers, then powered down my AlBook, just to be safe, popped out the battery to see if I had a lucky number, and now that I know I do, I can't get back onto the site.

Oh well. I'll try again later.

One thing I wonder about is what the consequences of keeping the 'dangerous' battery as a back-up would be... I'm not really worried about it exploding, but will the Apple police come after me for not returning the old battery once they ship me a new one? Obviously, it would be my own fault if my laptop exploded when using the old battery, but I'm willing to take that risk.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Interesting question... You need to prove in some way you indeed had that defective battery
 
iGary said:
Well Apple certainly got more sensational coverage over their recall. Hence the Apple haters in my life barraging me with BS. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I have gotten a little bit of this as well today.

I just remind those individuals that Apple does not make batteries. Then I tell them where Apple gets their batteries from (i.e. Sony) then people usually are quiet after that. :)
 
Apple phone support seems to have entirely melted down. Hitting the battery recall options only tells you they've discontinued phone support and that you should use the "chat" option on the apple support webpage (which seems to be invisible). Trying to go through iBook support just manages to get me disconnected after a variety of error messages from the phone system

Andrew Beard
 
cogsinister said:
My battery serial number was in the 3K437 range, but the website accepted my computers serial number, but not the battery...

So i changed the last letter of my battery serial number from an A to a C (B diden't work)

And it went thru.....

:D sweet
Click to expand...

So does this mean that your battery is not part of the exchange program? Or is it part of the exchange program because you changed your serial number?

Friends, I am not too sure right now, but I think I have just discovered a smart person or a dishonest person?
 
Yup, my iBook's battery is affected. Shame, it hadn't really run out of juice, even though I've been running my laptop 24/7 (lots of sleep though) in the year I've had it (running off of the mains a lot though):

graham@Phaedra ~/.bin$ ./BatteryInfo
IOBatteryInfo
Capacity: 4258
Amperage: 0
Cycle Count: 95
Current: 4236
Voltage: 12498
Flags: 838860805
AbsoluteMaxCapacity: 4400

Still, I'll ge about 200mAh back by having a replacement. Shame I have to send this one back though, but I haven't needed an extra battery yet. It'll delay requiring a replacement battery by a year, I should be good until late 2008, by which time I'll desire a new laptop anyway :)
 
cogsinister said:
My battery serial number was in the 3K437 range, but the website accepted my computers serial number, but not the battery...

So i changed the last letter of my battery serial number from an A to a C (B diden't work)

And it went thru.....

:D sweet
Click to expand...

Mine also ends with an A and doesn't work...:mad:
 
Battery serial # issues similar to others

I have a battery that seems to be on the recall list, I have a PB G4 - Model No. A1148 - Serial No. 3K542...A. But it says that the serial number is invalid. I did try to see if I could switch the last part of the number which is an "A" to "B" or "C" and while it did not take "B", it did take "C" as a valid serial number. I have had my battery for 10 months and it has worked fine and charges up to 100% with no problem and I have had no heating issues to date.

Anyway, I don't know what's up with their site. Just thought I'd contribute my two cents.
 
iGary said:
The battery is paired with the computer - e.g. one battery goes with the computer serial (don't need to enter that battery serial, it matches up with the computer) and a spare uses its own.
Click to expand...

unfortunately that's not true; the web app requires you to enter the battery serial as well... even though it is probably paired with the laptop's serial.
 
SilentPanda said:
I was already on the phone with Apple and they said the page is bogged down and to give it some time to cool off. My battery was in the range, Apple told me it was, and the app still doesn't work. Save some time and try again tomorrow or later tonight when people should be asleep.
Click to expand...

I guess that you're awake when I'm asleep (and the other way round)... in fact... it's 01:10 right now and I need to get up at 7:45... better go to bed and give the rest an opportunity to visit the battery exchange pages ;)
 
ssteve said:
So does this mean that your battery is not part of the exchange program? Or is it part of the exchange program because you changed your serial number?

Friends, I am not too sure right now, but I think I have just discovered a smart person or a dishonest person?
Click to expand...


After doing this i am now wondering myself if i am smart or dishonest, i personaly have no doubt that my batterys serial number is valid for recall....it's apples site that is in need of attention....

IMHO.
 
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