Refurb iPad Troubles

Question

Level 1

19 points

Refurb iPad Troubles

My family recently bought a refurbished 3rd-generation iPad at a deep discount from nomorerack.com, a mail order outfit.

The iPad arrived on an extremely cold day via US Mail. It was so cold that when I touched it, I had to set it down immediately. I decided to let it warm up to room temperature before doing anything with it.

A couple days later, I tried plugging it in. The iPad only had a tiny 1-amp USB charger adaptor, plus the 30-pin USB cable. No Apple 10-watt adaptor, no manuals. I plugged it in, and it seemed to have been charging very slowly. (The battery must've been deader than a doornail when I took it out of the box.) I switched over to my late-model iMac (late-2012 slimline unit) and it seems to be charging but I'm not sure. The battery seems to read about 95% empty.

I tried turning the iPad on, but it will not activate, even while plugged in.

Is this a serious problem?

I am leaving my iMac run, while plugged into the iPad via USB cable.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), late-2012 Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1 TB HD

Posted on Jan 28, 2015 3:11 PM

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Answer 1

Ralph9430

Level 7

21,998 points

Jan 28, 2015 3:17 PM in response to Walt_Atwood

An iPad with a completely drained battery may not respond for 30 minutes after being plugged in to the 10 watt charger. Longer if using a smaller charger. Plug the iPad in to a 10 watt charger and let it charge for 30 minutes. Then reset the iPad. Press and hold both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button continuously until the Apple logo appears. Then release the button and let the device restart. You will not lose data doing this. It's like a computer reboot.

If the iPad starts let it continue to charge until the battery is at 100%. If the iPad still does not start make an appointment at an Apple Store to have your device examined by a technician. Or contact Apple Support.

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Answer 2

Walt_Atwood Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 28, 2015 5:20 PM in response to Ralph9430

Follow-up:

I have had this iPad plugging into my iMac's USB port for over a couple of hours now. The battery charge indicator is the same as when I plugged it in. I tried to turn the iPad on, both by using the Power/Sleep button and by using both the Power/Sleep and Home buttons. No success.

I take it this device is broken / DOA?

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Answer 3

Skydiver119

Level 9

53,489 points

Jan 28, 2015 5:34 PM in response to Walt_Atwood

I wouldn't declare it dead until you try to charge it with a normal full sized iPad charger. iPads are normally charged with the 2 amp chargers, not the 1 amp one you were given with the device.

It's also very possible that your USB port isn't putting out enough power to meet the ipad's minimum requirement, so it's charging slow.

Try it with a full sized charger. If you're still having issues after that then it may be time to send it back.

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Answer 4

Walt_Atwood Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 28, 2015 5:41 PM in response to Skydiver119

We do not have another charger available at the moment.

I am leaving the iPad plugged into the iMac this evening. (Even if it were not providing a full 2 amps, the unit ought to be getting some charge, or so one would think. The battery charge indicator remains unchanged and the iPad will not turn on, even while plugged in.)

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Answer 5

Walt_Atwood Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 28, 2015 8:55 PM in response to Walt_Atwood

[UPDATE: I have given up on this iPad. It won't charge up at all and it won't turn on at all. I am declaring it dead.]

I noticed something weird about the iPad's shipping label tonight, and I thought I would share it with you. This may be nothing, but it seemed strange.

The packing label states a description: "Apple® iPad® IOS 7 Dual-Core 1 GHz 64 GB 9.7" Tablet with Retina® Display - Refurbished Color: white"

The iPad was promoted on the web-site of this company as a "3rd Generation" iPad. Didn't the iPad Retina come after the 3rd generation? It seems fishy to me.

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Answer 6

Walt_Atwood Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 29, 2015 9:05 PM in response to Walt_Atwood

Today, after leaving the iPad on charger all night and seeing no change, and after talking on the phone with NoMoreRack, we decided to return the iPad. A few hours after shipping it back, we discovered a refurb iPad Mini with Retina Display (2013) on Apple's refurb web-store. We ordered it.

We can rest easy that we will not have the same problems with Apple.

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