Missing serial number

Nope. I'm not even sure what is done, but only Apple can do it.

There's a specific procedure to get the S/N in the About... window after motherboard replacement, and the Genius Bar may not have access to that procedure.

Hi Mike,
Welcome to the Discussions!

Are you sure it's worth the hassle/risk?
So, here:

Firstly you have to install your Developer Tools. Use Tiger install DVD.

Then:
1) Enable Root User, using NetInfo Manager (in the Utilities folder), menu Security.
2) Navigate to /System/Library/CoreServices/loginwindow.app/Contents/Resources/English.lproj, and open "AboutThisMac.strings" with Property List Editor (in /Developer/Applications/Utilities).
3) Find the parameter ABOUT BOX_SERIAL_NUMBER_FORMATSTRING; the value will be " Serial Number %@"; Replace %@ with your serial number and save/close/quit Property List Editor.
4) Use NetInfo Manager again to disable root user.

Act carefully with this one, don't touch anything else, and don't forget to disable root user when you are done.
Also:
Personally after I was tinkering with this one, I ran a Permissions Repair (with Disk Utility, in the Utilities folder), and Permissions had indeed to be repaired.

Good luck!
Axl

You can do the AXL suggestion, but as was mentioned, it is not for the faint of heart.

If Apple replaced your board, Apple can fix the problem. Just make sure you take it to where the person doing the fix knows what they are doing.

Good Luck!

Same issue here.

I wonder why Apple Tech Service does not do it when they do change the logic board.

Mike:

You registered the computer which means Apple has the serial number. Plus, I would think you would have written it down somewhere. Thirdly, it makes no difference, the original serial number, whether it is on the machine or not, is still the same when and if you should call up Apple for maintenance.

The original serial number should be on a sticker under the stand - whenever the motherboard is replaced, the original serial number goes away, but as Edward said, that's not important, and Apple will have you in their data base with the original number. You can also look at your bill of sale, that will have the number as well. I would not make any effort to recover or replace the old one,
Happy Thanksgiving,
Miriam

If this procedure is done, will the serial number go to the logic board or stored in the software only.

William

Hi Thanks a lot for the procedure you explained : how to put back the serial in "about this mac"
is there a possibility to do the same to see it appear in "infos system"
Saphir

Hello AxL,

I tried all the steps you mentioned, and while the setting holds in the "AboutThisMac.strings" file, it still does not show the serial number in my "About this Mac" box under the Apple menu.

I have re-booted. And still no change. I tried it with OS 10.4.3.

It was an interesting idea though.

Update:

I have re-booted. And still no change. I tried it
with OS 10.4.3.

I found my mistake. It's been so long, that I forgot you need to click on the OS revision to have the serial number appear.

Silly error 😉

O.K., so now as the other poster asked, does anyone know how to make it appear in "System Profiler"?

If there is a way to get it back in the System Profiler, I'd be interested in hearing it.

A repair technician should do this for you before he sends it back to you, but sometimes they forget.

From what I understand (according to my local tech), only Apple has the required tools to flash the serial number back into the hardware.

But, I would settle for a software solution. The convenience is important to me. Right now I have to keep a file on my desktop that has the serial number in it (darn frequent repairs). But, if it was in the System profiler, it would be of great convenience.

Sure, I have it back in the Apple "About this mac" box. But, I'll likely forget that it's there and that I have to click on the OS version to make it appear.

With it in System Profiler, I would remember it just because that's where I was used to finding it.

Anyone with a helpful idea on how to accomplish this?

Well, I don't have a way to get it back in the System Profiler, but what I would do if I had this problem would be to make a Sticky Note with "Serial Number" at the top as a title, and put the serial number there. This makes it convenient without cluttering up your desktop.

Well, I don't have a way to get it back in the System
Profiler, but what I would do if I had this problem
would be to make a Sticky Note with "Serial Number"
at the top as a title, and put the serial number
there. This makes it convenient without cluttering up
your desktop.

That is an interesting suggestion. I'll keep that one in mind. Thank you 🙂