Roni67
Level 1 (8 points)
Notebooks

Q: Useless and Serial Number-less

No serial number, system wiped - complete disabled.

 

I am useless. Never understood anything about how my computer works and I do not have a week and unlimited patience it takes to understand it.

 

I am a writer and teacher. Everything I do depends on my MacBook Air, a Virtual Connection to my University, a connection to my printer and MS Office Suite. But I have none of this and am in floods of tears.

 

Made an appointment at the Genius Bar yesterday. They needed to make space on my hard drive so they wiped it after doing a "Time Machine backup" on an external hard drive. They also installed El Capitan. But they did not put anything back. They expect me to. I went home and spent 16 hours trying. The MS Office is gone. I can't get the free copy I am due as a teacher as I cannot connect via my University's VPN because that software is not working.

 

I have tried to ask for advice via the Apple Support but they require a Serial number. There is none in the "About this Mac" place; it says "unavailable" and in the system report place it says "not available". I put in the serial number on the box, but that came up as "invalid". So, there is not help.

 

Why? Why is this happening to me? Why does my computer have no serial number?

 

I am terrified to buy all new software as it is such a waste of money that I don't have, but what choice do I have?

 

Any help?

MacBook Air

Posted on May 15, 2016 3:15 AM

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Roni67

Q: Useless and Serial Number-less

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  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 15, 2016 4:36 AM in response to Roni67
    Level 9 (52,118 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 15, 2016 4:36 AM in response to Roni67

    Use these instructions to find the serial number of your Macboook Air:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204308

     

    Ciao.

  • by Roni67,

    Roni67 Roni67 May 15, 2016 11:28 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    May 15, 2016 11:28 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thank you for replying, but it is no good.

     

    "Depending on the product, you can find your serial number:

    • On the surface of your product - NOPE, ISN'T THERE.
    • In iTunes, if your product syncs with iTunes - TRIED THIS, BUT I CAN'T SEE WHERE IT MIGHT BE
    • On a Mac, by choosing About This Mac from the Apple menu - COMES UP AS "Unavailable"

    also,

    • You can find your serial number on the surface of your product. I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT FIND, EVEN WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS
    • If you have your product's original packaging, you can check the barcode to find the serial number. COMES UP AS "Not Available" WHEN ENTERED
    • You can also find your product's serial number on the original product receipt or invoice. COMES UP AS "Not Available" WHEN ENTERED.

     

    Any other ideas?

     

    Best,

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 15, 2016 11:42 AM in response to Roni67
    Level 9 (52,118 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 15, 2016 11:42 AM in response to Roni67

    If you cannot find the serial number on the bottom of the MBA, then for reasons that I am not aware of, the bottom plate has been replaced.  The only other option I can see is to make an appointment at an Apple store genius bar and see what they can do for you.  They can install a serial number, but I have no idea if they will be willing to do that.

     

    Ciao.

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman May 15, 2016 9:56 PM in response to Roni67
    Level 8 (39,090 points)
    May 15, 2016 9:56 PM in response to Roni67

    I have several thoughts based on your checklist above:

     

    Roni67 wrote:

     

    • You can find your serial number on the surface of your product. I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT FIND, EVEN WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS

    Did you look here - on the bottom of your machine?  The serial number should appear above the regulatory markings.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-05-15 at 9.53.59 PM.png

     

    Roni67 wrote:

     

    • If you have your product's original packaging, you can check the barcode to find the serial number. COMES UP AS "Not Available" WHEN ENTERED

     

    "When entered"?  Entered where?  Simply read the serial number directly from the box.  As I recall, it is spelled out there (along with the barcode).