Apple Recalls 1.8 Million Batteries

[ssteve]

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.....

sweet

Wow, I have already replied to this one above, but below is his brother apparently.

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.

So even though I have a MBP and not a PB I can probably get a new battery as well by changing the serial numbers despite what is really on my battery.

COOL!!!!!!!!!!

 

[balamw]

So even though I have a MBP and not a PB I can probably get a new battery as well by changing the serial numbers despite what is really on my battery.

1) The MBP doesn't use the same batteries.
2) If you don't return your defective battery they will charge you.

You sure you want to do that?

B

 

[bearda]

Wow, I have already replied to this one above, but below is his brother apparently.



So even though I have a MBP and not a PB I can probably get a new battery as well by changing the serial numbers despite what is really on my battery.

COOL!!!!!!!!!!

That's seriously not cool. For one, you're basically stealing someone else's replacement battery, since when they put in their number that happens to have a C instead of your B it's going to say they already sent the battery out. And second, when it comes time to return your defective battery don't you think they're going to notice it's entirely the wrong type?

Bad plan.

Andrew Beard

 

[floriflee]

Does it mean that apple takes your battery back whether you like it or not? Because it might explode?

You're kidding me, right? mg2005, for being enlightened, you never cease to amaze me about how little you know of a lot of the basic workings of the outside world. I am really beginning to worry about the day your parents cut the umbilical cord.

 

[iTwitch]

Just order my new battery. Hope it fits better.

 

[dbhays]

On the phone with apple support now. Got right through. No CC required.

 

[kahos]

Will this recall ever expire?
The reason im asking is that my 3k550 A1079 12" PB battery only has been through 18 battery loadcycles and still has 100% capacity according to cocounut battery...

Im wondering If I should get it replaced right now or wait untill my current battery starts running out of juice? What would you guys do?

edit: My pb warps every once in a while, could a new battery fix the problem?

 

[mandis]

Bugger!! Just checked the serial on my Powerbook G4...

A1078 - 3K4415RQRV8A

Should i grab the fire hose?

 

[eva01]

Will this recall ever expire?
The reason im asking is that my 3k550 A1079 12" PB battery only has been through 18 battery loadcycles and still has 100% capacity according to cocounut battery...

Im wondering If I should get it replaced right now or wait untill my current battery starts running out of juice? What would you guys do?

edit: My pb warps every once in a while, could a new battery fix the problem?

and risk having the battery catch on fire or actually do something worse? that would be stupid

 

[martin1000]

I've been picked for the team too. Yay team!

Was able to get right on the site and it went through no problems at 7:30 EST.

 

[erikistired]

my battery is one of the one's that needs replaced, but the website won't take the serial number (verified by someone at apple) and tech support is clogged for the day, so hopefully sometime later this week i can get a battery sent to me. anyway, if anyone else goes there and has the 5 digit number in the range but it won't take your serial number be sure to call apple because it could be a website error.

 

[ssteve]

1) The MBP doesn't use the same batteries.
2) If you don't return your defective battery they will charge you.

You sure you want to do that?

B

You need to see my first post regarding this bashing on the first guy who changed his letters on his serial number to get his exchange through. I essentially said he is either smart or a thief.


I would not do this. PLEASE PLEASE see my prior post.

Here it is:

Quote:
Originally Posted by cogsinister
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.....

sweet


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?

 

[dbhays]

my battery is one of the one's that needs replaced, but the website won't take the serial number (verified by someone at apple) and tech support is clogged for the day, so hopefully sometime later this week i can get a battery sent to me. anyway, if anyone else goes there and has the 5 digit number in the range but it won't take your serial number be sure to call apple because it could be a website error.

That's what happend to me. Called Apple support. They were great. The lady I spoke with said that there were errors happening on the website, but she was able to get it through by changing my serial number. She said she was using the recall website.

 

[ssteve]

That's seriously not cool. For one, you're basically stealing someone else's replacement battery, since when they put in their number that happens to have a C instead of your B it's going to say they already sent the battery out. And second, when it comes time to return your defective battery don't you think they're going to notice it's entirely the wrong type?

Bad plan.

Andrew Beard

Below is my original post to the first person who decided to change his serial number to get a free battery:

Start:

Quote:
Originally Posted by cogsinister
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.....

sweet . End quote.


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?

 

[cardjoseph]

reply to ssteve about the changing of serial numbers

Ssteve,

I wish you had read my post a little more closely. I did not go through with the exchange process because the form did not accept my serial number as is. I had changed the last letter to see if it would accept something else.

Regardless of that, I will wait til an appropriate time to call or try online again with my serial number. No doubt it will work later either online or on the phone.

 

[eva01]

Ssteve,

I wish you had read my post a little more closely. I did not go through with the exchange process because the form did not accept my serial number as is. I had changed the last letter to see if it would accept something else.

Regardless of that, I will wait til an appropriate time to call or try online again with my serial number. No doubt it will work later either online or on the phone.

odd works for me too changing the last letter to a B instead of an A

 

[stewacide]

My iBook G4s battery falls within the range on their page, but when I go to 'check out' it says the computer serial number is valid but not the battery? I think I'll call them tomorow...

 

[drgnmstrnik]

You morons, it's probably because of people like you that the PROPER serial numbers stopped working. Just typing crap in cause you want a free battery (or even changing your number so other people's stop working). I hope Apple catches on to you and charges you when you get your battery and they don't get the one that you entered the serial number in for.

BTW, to everyone who is just finding out and going to attempt calling, don't bother tonight. I have tried calling 5 times and each time the automated system hangs up on me because they can't take my call. One time the system was even slowed down, presumably from the large number of calls (it took about 30 seconds to say "Hello" and then there was a minute long pause before it said anything else).

 

[nsbio]

odd works for me too changing the last letter to a B instead of an A

The same is true for me. Is that supposed to be a glitch on their website, or they are that precise in picking out bad batteries from the bunch?

 

[eva01]

You morons, it's probably because of people like you that the PROPER serial numbers stopped working. Just typing crap in cause you want a free battery (or even changing your number so other people's stop working). I hope Apple catches on to you and charges you when you get your battery and they don't get the recalled one.

who said we hit submit and are waiting for the box on our battery?

I just tested it to see if it were true.

Sorry that i am a moron. get a hold of yourself buddy.

 

[Multimedia]

CBS News Features Apple Sony Battery Recall Tonight • BBC Too

CBS News made a point of announcing this recall on their Evening News show tonight. Blammed Sony for making bad batteries Dell also had to recall earlier this month.

BBC also participated in announcing the recall as well. More Images from BBC Coming. Show mobile Macs on Fire. "This comes hot on the heels of Dell's announcement last week," she says deadpan seriously. Sony says this recall may cost them up to $250 Million.

Showing Dell melted battery and laptop images as well and saying laptop makers may suffer negative image as well. Dell's stock price has dropped another 10% since thier recall began. She tags with regarding Apple's situation: "an announcement like this is taking a bite out of its reputation."

Enjoy the Desktops.

 

[kcmac]

I will have to call Apple. My serial number is within the range and it says it is invalid.

Dang this is, I just bought a new battery to replace the one Apple will now replace for free. I guess I can try and return it for something else after it gets here. I don't really like having two batteries.

EDIT:
Mine finally went through. Yay!

 

[powerbook911]

Yep. Mine is within range, and it tell ms the battery is invalid!

Furthermore, tried calling support all day, and it said they couldn't serve me right now.

I want this new battery. My battery isn't very good anymore, and I wasn't wanting to spend $120. Now (hopefully) I won't have to!

 

[cogsinister]

I will have to call Apple. My serial number is within the range and it says it is invalid.

Dang this is, I just bought a new battery to replace the one Apple will now replace for free. I guess I can try and return it for something else after it gets here. I don't really like having two batteries.

Change the last digit of the batterys serial number to a "C" works every time.....

 

[drewyboy]

Read!

As already been posted, if you fall in the right # but says it won't be accepted... WAIT!!!! Apple has already sayed that its website is bogged down...so WAIT a day or two. Secondly, for those of you that are changing your "A" to "B" or "C", did you ever think that you might be taking someone elses valid serial # and are taking their battery away from them??? Just wait, not everyone has to put in their replacement request w/in 5 hours of it coming out... just chil out a day or two... seriously it's not gona go blow up on in you if u wait an extra 48 hours.