My MacBook doesn't know how charged it is!

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Level 1

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My MacBook doesn't know how charged it is!

Hi everyone,

I have a 2009 MacBook Pro and haven't had any issues with it so far. However, last week when I turned it on, the date had set back to December 31, 2000. That hasn't happened since, but last night when I shut it off before going to bed, it had near 100% of its battery life. When I turned it on this morning it said it only had 54%, dropped to 18% within the hour, then bounced back up to 27% with a red battery. I'm not quite sure what's going on, any ideas?

Thank you!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jan 18, 2012 12:05 PM

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Answer 1

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jan 18, 2012 12:07 PM in response to lorilovesyou

It sounds as though you need a new battery, check the battery condition

Apple>About This Mac>More Info>Power

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Answer 2

Jan 18, 2012 12:08 PM in response to lorilovesyou

Reset the following two things (you'll have to do them separately):

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mh26871.html

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964?viewlocale=en_US

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Answer 3

Jan 18, 2012 12:10 PM in response to lorilovesyou

removed... already answered.

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Answer 4

Jan 18, 2012 12:09 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:

It sounds as though you need a new battery, check the battery condition

Battery doesn't die suddenly. There's something else going on.

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Answer 5

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jan 18, 2012 12:12 PM in response to OrangeMarlin

Date resets when off or sleeping is a very good indicator of a bad battery cell, why are you suggesting that the OP not check for that?

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Answer 6

lorilovesyou Author

Level 1

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Jan 18, 2012 12:14 PM in response to Csound1

Mine has significantly more cycles, but still lists itself as normal. :/

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Answer 7

Jan 18, 2012 12:19 PM in response to lorilovesyou

It wasn't going to tell you anything useful anyways, I'm not sure why it was even suggested to you. Just do the resets, it should work. If not, you have some sort of hardware problem.

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jan 18, 2012 12:20 PM in response to lorilovesyou

Follow Orange Marlins instructions for a PRAM reset:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mh26871.html

SMC reset is at this link: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

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Answer 9

lorilovesyou Author

Level 1

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Jan 18, 2012 12:23 PM in response to Csound1

I took it to the Mac Store last week and they did that for me. They didn't want to run too many other diagnostics because I didn't have Time Machine set up (or any full backup--I know, I know!--fixed now), so I was planning on taking it back this week, but it's snowing like crazy.

Should I be worried? Should I just let it rest?

--Concerned MacBook Mom.

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Answer 10

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jan 18, 2012 12:28 PM in response to lorilovesyou

There is a scond battery (Pram Battery) in the MBP that retains information about basic settings like date and time, it is possible that is flat, have the Apple Store check that.

Here's a little detail on the Pram bettery. Pram Power

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