[JonK]

I have a macbook running OSX 10.4.10 and the battery is not being recognized or something.
I downloaded coconutBattery 2.5.1 to check stats on the battery and it say it is 100% charged yet the battery icon in the menu bar has an 'x' in it. When the power cord is disconnected the computer shuts down.
I also downloaded and installed battery updater 1.2 from the apple website...this did nothing that i can see.

Can anyone help me with this problem? Is it just a software issue or what?

cheers and thanks in advance.

[Sethro]

I think its something wrong with the battery itself, this is an inheriant problem with Macbook's / Macbook Pro's the first thing that you should do is check for any battery swelling, if there is some swelling immediatly remove it and store it some where safe.

Try resetting PRAM and if the SMC Controller, if that doesn'nt work then take it your nearest Apple Store, I'm 99% sure that they'll replace it free of charge.

[cms]

I agree with Sethro. It's a pretty wide-spread issue. This exact same problem happened just the other week to a client's MacBook, bought in March this year. I tried all the obvious software fixes and then swapped out the battery with a known good one from another MacBook. Bingo! All good -- instantly recognised and worked just fine. So she took her MacBook to a local certifled Apple repair centre and they confirmed my diagnosis, ordered her a new battery, which arrived the next day, and she was all sorted in 24 hours flat.

[PEPPERRULES]

If you bought this at an apple store, they will pretty much swap it for you immediately. Otherwise, try phoning apple care or going to an authorized retailer. You sholdn't have a problem.

[palane]

We just ran into this problem, though didn't think to try coconut battery. In any event, the MacBook had an ex-battery. It had ceased to be. It had expired and gone on to meet its maker. Fortunately, under warranty and fixed easily at the Apple Store.