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Just bought an "open box" Macbook, help!

M

moonislune

macrumors regular
Original poster
Hi, I just bought an open box Macbook from Best Buy and got a great deal on it for $840. I took it home and reinstalled Mac OS X Leopard, but I think there is a problem. There is no serial number! What does that mean and what should I do? The Macbook is working great btw. The system specs read:

Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook5,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: MB51.0073.B06
SMC Version: 1.32f8
Serial Number: System Serial#
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled
 
I would call best buy and see what they say. Because you can't have a warranty if you don't have a serial. That is really strange.
 
I'd say call Apple and see what's up. Tell them the story and see if you need to contact BestBuy. Seems weird, as this is the first time I've ever seen a Mac with no serial number in the System Profiler.
 
That's what my MacBook Pro says in System prefs too. I got a logic board replacement due to the defective NVIDIA graphics issue. The computer itself still has the serial number on it though.
 
Thank you all for your suggestions. I took the battery off and found the serial number on the side. I will go by Best Buy tomorrow and then call Apple if BB is not helpful. Again, many thanks!
 
Update

Just an update. I called Apple and they said that the logic board had been replaced. It was still under full warranty, but I had to fax my receipt so they could adjust the warranty to the day I bought it. It is also eligible for Apple Care. Thanks again!
 
Steps to fix missing serial on a Mac's logic board:

1. Download Blank Board Serializer: Apple - Login

2. Burn to CD or 'restore' to USB stick using Disk Utility

3. Reboot, holding down Option

4. Select the disc with BBS on it

5. Plug in serial

6. Click through a lot of 'Are you really, really, REALLY sure?' messages

7. Reboot
Click to expand...

You have to be an Apple service provider to access the utility
 
How is it moot?
Take the laptop to an Apple store or authorised service centre, explain the situation and get them to reflash it as per the above procedure
Or dont, doesnt make a difference to me
Noone else in the thread successfully identified the problem, so whatever
 
alphaod said:
So what you posted is moot.
Click to expand...

WOW!!!! I thought this forum was a place for people to collectively share their knowledge for the greater good of helping a less knowledgeable member.

what good does it do to shoot someone down like that for sharing what he knows.

what i got from his post was APPLE has the ability to correct the serial number so no need for the OP to worry.
 
Smacky said:
How is it moot?
Take the laptop to an Apple store or authorised service centre, explain the situation and get them to reflash it as per the above procedure
Or dont, doesnt make a difference to me
Noone else in the thread successfully identified the problem, so whatever
Click to expand...

Smacky, don't be discouraged by useless people like alphaod. Your post was very helpful.
 
Smacky said:
5. Plug in serial
Click to expand...
Does this tool also let you change the MAC address? I (supposedly) just got the logic board replaced on my MacBook Air, and it has the same wireless MAC address as before (MBA has no built-in ethernet).

I didn't think the MAC address stayed the same through any logic board replacement.
 
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