Remaining Capacity (mAh): 0

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Remaining Capacity (mAh): 0

Does this mean that my battery if officially dead?

Battery Information:

Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 3894
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 0
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 11143
Cycle Count: 162

Three days ago, I still had 2 1/2 hours of battery-powered use, and today this is my Power info. I (not thinking) left it sitting on my bed yesterday to charge, so did it overheat and self-destruct? I am afraid I don't really know how to read/interpret the above info (except that 0=not good), and I just found that info after searching some of the boards for clues, so I don't know prior info.

Thanks for any help!

MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Nov 2, 2008 7:40 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 2, 2008 11:27 AM in response to mszimmer78

Your battery is not dead, but it is fully discharged. The Full Charge Capacity of 3894 is down significantly from that of a new battery, but you have already had 162 cycles and I do not believe that this alone warrants a change in battery. While you may have had the computer plugged in, it did not charge. Thus, either there was some failure in the charging process or the magsafe was not properly connected. Was the light on? Was it orange? Does the computer function when plugged in?

If the computer works while plugged in, but the battery does not charge, then there is a problem either with the battery or the computer. If this is the case, then you need to take it to an apple store or an apple authorized service center.

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Answer 2

mszimmer78 Author

Level 1

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Nov 2, 2008 3:42 PM in response to Kenneth Gorelick

Thank you for the clarification on dead/discharged.

Light On--Yes, Orange.

Function when plugged In--Yes.

I tried charging it overnight on a solid surface, and there was no charge.

I live in China, and I won't be back into the states for another four weeks, so I'll get to an apple store then. There is only one "authorized" store here in Beijing, but it's seven times the trouble to do this sort of thing here and it's a US purchased computer. So, it'll be a bit before I get their feedback. : )

Thanks!

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Answer 3

Nov 3, 2008 5:50 PM in response to mszimmer78

Resetting the SMC sometimes helps with charging issues:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411

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Answer 4

Nov 3, 2008 4:39 AM in response to mszimmer78

It seems that your system is detecting the discharged battery, but it is not charging it. Wish I had some good ideas for you, but this one is out of my league!

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