HT204356: Find the serial number for your MacBook

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Walter Wedler

Q: How do I Identify a 2009 MacBooks Serial number?

How do I Identify a 2009 MacBooks Serial number?

The screen is broken and shows only blue blotches after starting up.

There are a lot of numbers on the scratched rubber bottom of a 13" MacBook.

Nothing says serial#.

I thought to start up in Target disk mode to get info, but the macbook does not have a firewire input.

I connected a monitor to it but only get a blank desktop with no place to go from.

I am well versed with computer repair, thinking I will replace the display. But the kid owner has no info

of any kind.

 

I'd be greatful for your input on how to get the info I need and your thoughts on doing the display-job.

Thank you for your time and patience.

Mac Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), 22 GB RAM

Posted on Jul 27, 2016 2:46 PM

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Q: How do I Identify a 2009 MacBooks Serial number?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Jul 27, 2016 3:57 PM in response to Walter Wedler
    Level 10 (120,421 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 27, 2016 3:57 PM in response to Walter Wedler

    There are several ways to find the serial number.

     

    Click here >  How to find the serial number of your MacBook Pro - Apple Support

  • by Walter Wedler,

    Walter Wedler Walter Wedler Jul 27, 2016 4:33 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 2 (252 points)
    Audio
    Jul 27, 2016 4:33 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    Thank you Carolyn Samit.

    This is not a MacBook Pro, I am also beyond the correct MacBook-Apple support page.

    None of the locations apply to this rubber bottom of the MacBook.

  • by Drew Reece,Helpful

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jul 28, 2016 8:12 AM in response to Walter Wedler
    Level 5 (7,490 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 28, 2016 8:12 AM in response to Walter Wedler

    Rubber bottom? I'm not sure I understand, Apple made plastic Macbook's before the metal Macbook's but I don't recollect a rubber bottomed model? The plastic models had firewire ports if I recall correctly. It's not a cover or some kind of case is it?

     

    I think you need the model number for parts lookup. You may want to look at this site, it has images that may help ID it…

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/by_year/index-macs-mac-clones-by-year.html

     

    iFixit.com may also help, they have repair guides etc. They could help you work out which model it is.

     

    You could take it to an Apple store if you can't figure it out, there are a cases of fake devices being passed off as Apple ones.

     

    You could post images here if you want a second opinion.

  • by Walter Wedler,

    Walter Wedler Walter Wedler Jul 27, 2016 6:03 PM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 2 (252 points)
    Audio
    Jul 27, 2016 6:03 PM in response to Drew Reece

    Thanks Drew Reece.

    What I called a rubber bottom is probably a plastic stick-on to a metal cover held by 8 phillips head screws

    which is very scratched. Because of that I did not see that under some large letters, symbols it has very small

    line of text might be the serial number: even magnified impossible to make out but I was able to read the 5 last

    digits: A 1342 (I guess that is the type)

    This is a legitimate Apple MacBook with a broken display, a badly scratched bottom but otherwise in very good

    condition. I found instructions on You Tube working on one that looks like mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR6SP8mhzC8

    Do I need the serial number to make sure I buy the right display?

    I will check out that link. Thank you for your time and patience.

  • by Drew Reece,Solvedanswer

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jul 27, 2016 7:03 PM in response to Walter Wedler
    Level 5 (7,490 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 27, 2016 7:03 PM in response to Walter Wedler

    I tend to use just the model info to find parts, the name is normally enough (like Mid 2010) or the identifier (like MacBook7,1).

     

    It does look like it's one of these 2 types…

    http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords=A1342

    Everymac has some info on telling them apart…

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook/macbook-white-unibody-faq/differen ces-between-macbook-white-polycarbonate-…

     

    You are right about the bottom too, I don't think I saw one of these rounded plastic MacBooks, the curves look nicer than the hard angles of the latest models

     

    You may need to open the case to compare to iFixit photos if you can't tell which version it is. The later model had a 63.5 Watt power supply - assuming that is the original one (more tiny grey text printed on white to read).

     

    They also use ethernet to migrate since there is no Firewire, I don't think this helps but Apple have info on that, you'd be better off pulling the disk since the display is dead if you need to get at the data MA requires interaction both ends via ethernet…

    How to move data to your new Mac using Mountain Lion and earlier - Apple Support

  • by Walter Wedler,

    Walter Wedler Walter Wedler Jul 27, 2016 7:51 PM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 2 (252 points)
    Audio
    Jul 27, 2016 7:51 PM in response to Drew Reece

    Hello Drew Reece.

    I could not have wished for more complete advise. Great help!

    Any suggestion on where to order the display?

  • by Drew Reece,Helpful

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jul 28, 2016 8:12 AM in response to Walter Wedler
    Level 5 (7,490 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 28, 2016 8:12 AM in response to Walter Wedler

    It depends on where you are.

    I have used applemacparts.co.uk since I'm in the UK. A few sites have reconditioned parts or may part exchange your broken ones if you are hoping to save money.

     

    Look at ifixit.com, powerbookmedic.com, macpartsonline.com if you are in the US & search around too

     

    You can also try an Apple store if you have the cash, the 2nd model may still be supported, the 2009 version is listed as 'vintage' which can mean Apple won't repair it - it varies from what I can tell. Apples own repairs are often expensive but you know they are genuine parts & have a short warranty I think.

     

    It's often debated if Apple release parts for third parties. They may be OEM versions or used parts, Apple try to avoid all non Apple certified repairs as far as I can tell.

     

    The Mactracker.ca app has the support status for the models, it can be handy.

     

    I'm glad it helped & good luck with your display, don't forget you may be able to hook it up via the mini display port to see if it can output anything. An Apple store may help you with that if you can book an appointment & get to a genius bar.

  • by Walter Wedler,

    Walter Wedler Walter Wedler Jul 28, 2016 7:56 AM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 2 (252 points)
    Audio
    Jul 28, 2016 7:56 AM in response to Drew Reece

    Dear Drew Reece.

    It is for a very knowledgable helpful person like you I am returning to Apple discussions time and again!

    Thank you so much!

    "you may be able to hook it up via the mini display port to see if it can output anything."

     

    I did hook up the MacBook to my home-network via ethernet, My Mac Pro could only open the empty shared folder. When I used the mini display port I hooked up to a Samsung T240 monitor it could give me an empty desktop with a moving pointer, I could make a new empty folder, but nothing else and go nowhere. Although I had a display port adapter it had a PC female out. So I could only use it with a PC cable going into the monitor. With the right Mac monitor

    cable I might do even better. It seems to me that the MacBook starts up normal, enough to make the display-fix worth

    trying. in the You Tube video prices the LCD screen for 49,99 http://www.vivotechnology.net/p-15522...

    VIVO  Is this possible? For years I heard people say its too expensive to fix a broken display (Buy a new MacBook)?

     

    Thank you so much for all your valuable advise!

                                                                                        Walter

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jul 28, 2016 3:37 PM in response to Walter Wedler
    Level 5 (7,490 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 28, 2016 3:37 PM in response to Walter Wedler

    Walter, thanks for the kind feedback

     

    My understanding is that if the display works via the mini display port the OS should be functional. Occasionally there are strange bugs but I strongly doubt that a display would only let you make a folder on the desktop.

     

    Personally I would try to test the Mac as much as possible via that display (or another one) - boot to an install disk or to recovery mode & see if it functions from another OS. Check the disk for errors in Disk Utility

    About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

     

    Also try Apple hardware test…

    Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support

    The display damage may cause hardware test errors, so record any error numbers you see. You can make the hardware tests 'loop' by hitting cmd+L. Run the extended & standard tests a few times to see if everything is OK.

    It's possible the external display may not work with AHT, I'm not 100% certain.

     

    It is possible that the dead display is masking other errors, especially if the display was damaged by a fall or other reason that could effect other components (maybe water damage etc). It may just be a damaged OS or possibly other issues that make it too expensive to fix.

     

    I don't know anything about that company - I suspect if it doesn't work you may be able to return it according to their site or you may have to pursue legal action if the company is a making a scam. Sorry I really can't judge if it is genuine, you'll need to decide that yourself.

  • by Walter Wedler,

    Walter Wedler Walter Wedler Jul 28, 2016 3:50 PM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 2 (252 points)
    Audio
    Jul 28, 2016 3:50 PM in response to Drew Reece

    Hi Drew Reece.

    With all of your great suggestions I will be able to replace this cracked display.

    Thank you much again!

                                            Walter