Sazza

Q: How do I add my Macbook serial number to System Profile?

Hi,

 

My Macbook serial number is not showing up in the "About this Mac" System Profile Information, which is annoying.

 

I do know what the serial number is, but how do I add it to the System Profile please?

 

It is a white 13-inch Mid 2010.

 

Thanks

 

Sarah

 

Screen Shot 2016-05-07 at 20.09.56.png

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), White MacBook Laptop

Posted on May 7, 2016 12:18 PM

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Q: How do I add my Macbook serial number to System Profile?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by theratter,

    theratter theratter May 7, 2016 12:36 PM in response to Sazza
    Level 4 (3,907 points)
    Desktops
    May 7, 2016 12:36 PM in response to Sazza

    The motherboard was replaced sometime but when that was done the computer's serial number was not burned into the ROM. You cannot do anything about it because the serial number is read from the ROM in which it would be stored. If you stop looking at About This Mac then you won't be annoyed as much.

  • by K Shaffer,Solvedanswer

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 8, 2016 7:48 PM in response to Sazza
    Level 6 (14,269 points)
    Desktops
    May 8, 2016 7:48 PM in response to Sazza

    You may be able to get a more official response if you can make an appointment with an

    official Apple Store with a Genius (if available in your area) because there are a few things

    an expert or qualified support tech could do, to enable the computer to show the serial no.

     

     

    An in-store Genius may or may not be able to enter the serial number into the computer if

    they do not have the correct device or tool; however an appointment where available is a

    way to get someone to check into the issue and suggest a cure. It should not cost; but if

    the official Store has no genius or qualified tech, you could ask an Authorized Apple Service

    Provider (may be affiliated with an independent authorized reseller of Apple products) in

    your region. The availability of these can vary depending on your region, country, state, etc.

     

    Sometimes as mentioned, a third-party or other qualified technician may replace a logic board

    and for some reason may not have the tool to upgrade the ROM chip; or maybe that chip has

    been disabled or unable to hold the hardware information. There are shops that may refurbish

    logic boards for other companies, so your computer may have a repaired logic board that had

    a detour at some point to another place where it had seen refurbishment or restoration. So it

    may have been that information was erased from the chip so the unit would not identify as a

    different unit (the original source of the replacement board, for example) in database records.

     

    Anyway, it would seem to be an anomaly and could be resolved at some level by an expert.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by Sazza,

    Sazza Sazza May 8, 2016 7:49 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 8, 2016 7:49 PM in response to K Shaffer

    That was really helpful. Now I understand, thank you. Yes, the Apple Store replaced the motherboard some time ago, so I will take it back to their Genius Bar.

     

    Best

     

    Sarah