white macbook issue

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Level 1

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white macbook issue

I have about 40 white macbooks about 5-7 years old (not sure). Over the Thanksgiving weekend, 2 of them had something going on where an item has grown in size to the point where the track pad has popped out of its position. I do not know what is under the track pad, but would like to know what might be causing this. I am planning on taking the back off to look. They were not plugged in charging, but just sitting on a table. Any risk of exploding or starting a fire?? Anyone else have similar things happen like this?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Nov 30, 2015 8:15 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Dec 1, 2015 6:17 AM in response to rodstarkusa

That would be the batteries swelling up. You should get them looked at right away before the swelling causes unrepairable physical damage.

Defective batteries need to be removed as soon as possible. The swelling is a very common failure mode. If the MacBooks weren't so old, the batteries may have been replaced by Apple under an extended warranty.

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Answer 2

K Shaffer

Level 7

34,972 points

Dec 1, 2015 6:16 AM in response to rodstarkusa

Since the expanding batteries usually leak, those should be removed and any liquid

evident should be wiped up. Not sure what the best recommendation is to clean the

area where the battery liquid had been, since other products (like water) aren't good.

Depending on the build model year of the MacBooks involved the battery may be

easily removable with minimal tools. Later model MacBooks involved taking off

the back panel to remove 'built-in' batteries. These were originally not intended

to be user-replaced, when they're not a component.

Portable Apple Accessories & upgrades:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/powerbook-ibook-macbook/

The different MacBook 13-inch models (circa 2006 to 2010) with easily removable

batteries and other characteristics can be determined by part number & database.

• MacBook repair guides - ifixit.com:

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook

Also the iFixit guides for MacBook can be used to see which best matches those

units you have. Replacement batteries may be available from macsales.com online

or sometimes the iFixit site has a listing for batteries still available.

• Lookup your Apple serial number to identify Mac product:

https://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php

• About Mac notebook batteries - Apple Support

Hopefully you can replace all the batteries before they leak or swell, some may have

already been well past their prime if not replaced in the past few years.

Good luck! 🙂

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