rodstarkusa

Q: 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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Q: white macbook issue

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  • by Lanny,Helpful

    Lanny Lanny Dec 1, 2015 6:17 AM in response to rodstarkusa
    Level 5 (7,979 points)
    Desktops
    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 If the MacBooks weren't so old, the batteries may have been replaced by Apple under an extended warranty.

  • by K Shaffer,Helpful

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Dec 1, 2015 6:16 AM in response to rodstarkusa
    Level 6 (14,424 points)
    Desktops
    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!