heyjoel
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: service battery?

I've had a macbook pro for a couple of years now, and in the past two years or so, it's been on service battery. The battery is terrible, and often it doesn't charge. I kind of just realised that I probably should've got it changed, but for now- Will there be any further adverse effects?

Or will the battery life continue to fade and not charge?

Will it eventually stop working?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jun 2, 2015 2:40 PM

by K Shaffer,Solvedanswer
K Shaffer K Shaffer
Level 6 (14,279 points)
Desktops
A:

With an SMC reset the battery reporting may be more accurate; though had

you tried this quite some time ago the issue may have been delayed, but as

the battery is now even more worn out, a replacement should be purchased.

 

•How to identify Mac Pro models - Apple Support

 

Note there are different instructions for use of the SMC reset depending on

which version of portable Mac you have (also desktop model) so be sure in

regard to SMC reset, the correct instruction for a Portable depends on if the

one you have, has a battery that you could replace yourself, or one that is

considered to not be user-replaceable.

 

•Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

 

But the very real likelihood is that battery is beyond help, while the reset may

only serve to report its status more accurately. The system hardware profile

can show you the total number of battery cycles, and that's an indicator, too.

 

•Mac notebooks: All about batteries - Apple Support

•Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters - Apple Support

 

Another item to have checked, once the battery is replaced (or by the tech who

may replace a built-in battery, if your MacBook Pro is a newer model) is the

status of the MacSafe DC-in Board to see if that part is functioning correctly.

 

Good luck & happy computing!

Posted on Jun 2, 2015 2:57 PM

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heyjoel

Q: service battery?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 2, 2015 2:52 PM in response to heyjoel
    Level 10 (270,346 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 2, 2015 2:52 PM in response to heyjoel

    You need to replace the battery when it tells you to "Service Battery." The damage you may experience is possible loss of data or even damage to the disk drive if the battery dies in the middle of work and you are not connected to the charger. Please get the battery replaced ASAP.

  • by K Shaffer,Solvedanswer

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jun 2, 2015 2:57 PM in response to heyjoel
    Level 6 (14,279 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 2, 2015 2:57 PM in response to heyjoel

    With an SMC reset the battery reporting may be more accurate; though had

    you tried this quite some time ago the issue may have been delayed, but as

    the battery is now even more worn out, a replacement should be purchased.

     

    •How to identify Mac Pro models - Apple Support

     

    Note there are different instructions for use of the SMC reset depending on

    which version of portable Mac you have (also desktop model) so be sure in

    regard to SMC reset, the correct instruction for a Portable depends on if the

    one you have, has a battery that you could replace yourself, or one that is

    considered to not be user-replaceable.

     

    •Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

     

    But the very real likelihood is that battery is beyond help, while the reset may

    only serve to report its status more accurately. The system hardware profile

    can show you the total number of battery cycles, and that's an indicator, too.

     

    •Mac notebooks: All about batteries - Apple Support

    •Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters - Apple Support

     

    Another item to have checked, once the battery is replaced (or by the tech who

    may replace a built-in battery, if your MacBook Pro is a newer model) is the

    status of the MacSafe DC-in Board to see if that part is functioning correctly.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by heyjoel,

    heyjoel heyjoel Jun 2, 2015 3:05 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 2, 2015 3:05 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks for the info. I have tried an SMC reset, and like you said- nothing happened.

     

    Honestly, I think I should've got it checked when it first started popping up- No idea why it's bothering me now.

     

    Thank you! Have a nice day.