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Need Help Identifying Fake Battery

N

nogoodnature

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 17, 2006
6
0
Last week I bought a "genuine first party replacement battery" from ebay for my late 2008 macbook pro. I can't get it to charge and the computer won't start up, the maglight will not light up either. The item shipped from California but I'm noticing now that the company is based in China. Is this a fake battery? It came in bubble wrap but no retail box. There was protective plastic on it and it feels legitimate, but I'm skeptical. Is there a way to get my computer to recognize it? I can't get the SMC reset to work either, my computer just powers off. Attached is a link to the product. I need to get info fast so that I can return it or file dispute. Where should I have bought this battery from instead?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171278081741?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT#rpdCntId
 
I would return it. There are numerous knock off batteries that are sold on eBay, some good, some not so good. You were unlucky. If you paid with PayPal, return it and get a refund. Unfortunately, your MacBook Pro is vintage so finding a good battery is going to be hit or miss.
 
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I can't believe I fell for this nonsense. I thought I did enough homework on this. The replacement item looks almost exactly the same, the lettering is almost identical. Does anyone have any ideas where to buy a good one? I couldn't find a way to buy one from apple.
[doublepost=1480992598][/doublepost]Is there typically anything I need to know before installing a new battery? Can I just plug it in and go or do I need to let the computer know that it has been changed somehow?
 
thats all folks said:
I've never been thrilled with replacement batteries. if Apple no longer sells it (did you try calling them?) then these folks might be the best option,
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Apple/Laptop/Batteries
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I haven't called them yet, I'm worried about getting put on hold or forced to jump through all the hoops. I guess I should have though. Is the eshop.macsales site reputable? I am going to call them tomorrow and ask if they have a battery that they recommend and where they ship from. Going to do as much reading and make as many phone calls as I can. Don't want another dud, I'm really bummed
 
nogoodnature said:
I haven't called them yet, I'm worried about getting put on hold or forced to jump through all the hoops. I guess I should have though. Is the eshop.macsales site reputable? I am going to call them tomorrow and ask if they have a battery that they recommend and where they ship from. Going to do as much reading and make as many phone calls as I can. Don't want another dud, I'm really bummed
Click to expand...

I think calling Apple will be fine. just have all the details of your computer ready (serial # mostly). Mac Sales (OWC) has been around forever, selling Mac compatible stuff since back when when the Mac was a fringe item (before the iPod). their headquarters is about 7 miles from where I live. I think people have a generally positive view of them. I have several of their products. they are not perfect and prices used to be ridiculous but have been much more reasonable for some time now. the real upside is they support what they sell.
 
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thats all folks said:
I think calling Apple will be fine. just have all the details of your computer ready (serial # mostly). Mac Sales (OWC) has been around forever, selling Mac compatible stuff since back when when the Mac was a fringe item (before the iPod). their headquarters is about 7 miles from where I live. I think people have a generally positive view of them. I have several of their products. they are not perfect and prices used to be ridiculous but have been much more reasonable for some time now. the real upside is they support what they sell.
Click to expand...


That's super useful because if they back what they sell, I'll probably be able to work with them in the event of a problem. I don't want to deal with people who can't stand behind what they're doing haha. Also that bit about the "fringe item/before the ipod" bit is hilarious. I've been using macs since 1994 when I was a little kid, the struggle was real. I would love to support a company that's been behind apple since those dark and scary times. I'll call them and apple tomorrow, thanks so much for the help---
 
I think OEM batteries for your laptop have long been out of production, and even if you found an OEM one, it would be several years old and at risk of all the issues involved with aging batteries. Buy from a reputable third party, like Anker.
 
nogoodnature said:
I haven't called them yet, I'm worried about getting put on hold or forced to jump through all the hoops. I guess I should have though. Is the eshop.macsales site reputable? I am going to call them tomorrow and ask if they have a battery that they recommend and where they ship from. Going to do as much reading and make as many phone calls as I can. Don't want another dud, I'm really bummed
Click to expand...
Apple stopped selling batteries for these older computers just about two years ago. I have an 08 black MB that has needed a new battery for at least four years and I was always checking Apples site to make sure they were still there, then suddenly they were gone. Calling Apple, they said they no longer carried them.

You'll have to try the suggestions above. As for my black MacBook, it's just sitting on the shelf now collecting dust. I replaced it last year with a 2012 non retina MBP and a 2015 15" MBP.
 
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UPDATE: I don't know if I should start a new thread for this but I don't think my problem is fake batteries. I got another replacement battery (this one came with a 70% charge) and I quickly noticed that my macbook will not charge it at all either. The computer completely ignores the charger, aside from occasionally, when the magsafe dimly illuminates and the display says "(not charging)". This is the only time when the battery isn't draining. I am under the impression that my computer is having trouble reading my chargers (I have three) and that something inside or with the software is preventing the charger from communicating with the battery or internals. The SMC reset did nothing. This is a fairly urgent issue because all my software and files are on that computer. Please help if you can think of anything.
 
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