[Eug Wanker]

1.1 million batteries recalled in the US of A and 0.7 million elsewhere.

iBook G4 and PowerBook G4

https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html

Identifying your battery
The recalled batteries include those with model numbers A1061, A1078, and A1079 and serial numbers that begin with HQ441 through HQ507 and 3X446 through 3X510. To view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the battery, you must remove the battery from the computer. The battery serial number is printed in black or dark grey lettering beneath a barcode. See photos below. Please use the chart below to identify the battery model and serial numbers that apply to your iBook or PowerBook.

Computer model Battery
model number Battery serial
number range
12-inch iBook G4 A1061 HQ441 – HQ507
12-inch PowerBook G4 A1079 3X446 – 3X510
15-inch PowerBook G4 A1078 3X446 – 3X509

[mitchell_pgh]

My iBook is part of the recall.

Oh well, I get a new battery out of the deal

[seanc]

I'm sure I did this exact same recall on my iBook. Do you know of any originally replaced batterys being recalled? If so, the guy who bought my iBook can have a nice new one.

[monkeybutler]

The scariest thing about these battery recalls is the sheer number. 4.1 from dell, 1.8 from Apple and the unmentioned number that Sony will refuse to take responsibility for. Of course not every battery will explode, but its a scary thought to have one go off in a plane. Not only is it terrifying to see fire while in flight, but if that ever happens then it gives more reason to pull laptops and ipods off flights.

[sammjordan]

It seems like there's been alot of confusion as to which batteries are being recalled. The link posted by the op goes to a page which recalls LG batteries, when the current recall is for Sony batteries.

try this link https://support.apple.com/ibook_powe...tteryexchange/


It seems like the website has been swamped, so if the apple site doesn't load, try this (you obviously can't order the battery from this site, but you can find out if you're affected by the recall)

Apple Recall of Batteries Used in Previous iBook and PowerBook Computers Due To Fire Hazard

[Krusty]

I'm stoked. My 12 month old iBook qualifies for the recall !! For nearly 1 yr my battery stayed really close to full charging capacity of 4400mah. In just the last few weeks is capacity has dropped off substantially and now holds something less than 3900. I'll be happy for the upgrade. Also, I'm missing one rubber foot, hopefully I'll be able to pick up a spare from this ... anybody know the best way reinstall an iBook foot ?

[Briareus]

Just missed it - my iBook's battery SN starts with 6C517, and according to the Apple doc the recall starts at 6C519.

Interesting that one of the support docs (https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html) only lists iBook batteries with HQ serials, while another (https://support.apple.com/ibook_powe...tteryexchange/) lists ZZ, 3K, and 6C serials.

[Krusty]

I'm hoping the 2nd one is right. Mine is as 3k series battery.

edit: I think the 2nd one is it -- the first appears to be the 2005 recall

[sammjordan]

Originally Posted by Krusty

I'm hoping the 2nd one is right. Mine is as 3k series battery.

I'm 99.9% sure it's the second one, b/c as I stated before the current recall is on sony batteries. The first list only mentions lg batteries

[hookem2oo7]

hmm...i try to start the exchange process with a 6C530 battery and it says its invalid... The range is 6C519 - 6C552. I try calling the 800 number and i'm met with a busy signal. hopefully my battery doesnt explode on me

[frdmfghtr]

Same here...mine starts with 6C539.

Was on hold for 56 minutes, took 4 minutes to get the order placed.

(Was on hold for 12 minutes and counting for original post.)

[hookem2oo7]

i gave up after 22 minutes on hold

[ghporter]

The two different Apple sites give different results, too. I tried the first, and my wife's iBook battery was NOT eligible. But with the second site it WAS, so I have it ordered and begin the wait.

Hmmmmm

[m_young]

This is spectacular. I was just getting ready to buy a new battery, and boom, it gets recalled. Now, in 4-6 weeks, my battery will go from <1 hour of life, to hopefully >3 hours of life. And for free. I can't wait. Let's just hope it doesn't blow up before then.

All in all, sucks for apple, rocks for me, and others in the same predicament.

[Tuoder]

Hopefully this kind of crud will get sorted when they standardize the batteries.

[broxy5]

Mine's on the way. Good news, since my battery died in the last week or two. Yahoo!

[bradbissell]

Anyone else having issues with the website? I enter my serial numbers (which are part of the recall 6C520, 6C523) and it says they are not valid. Odd...

[frogboy2727]

I successfully ordered my new battery, via the website. No problems, at all.

Al ..

[broxy5]

Originally Posted by bradbissell

Anyone else having issues with the website? I enter my serial numbers (which are part of the recall 6C520, 6C523) and it says they are not valid. Odd...

Had the same problem entering the info for our 15" PB, but we called this morning and it is being replaced. I had no problems with the ibook battery info going through. The guy said it had to do with the volume of replies to the recall.

[dohidied]

The website should be fixed now. It was telling me my battery was invalid yesterday, but it went through this morning.

So do I have to condition the new battery when it arrives? I've never had a new laptop, so I've never had to deal with that. Does it tell you what to do in the manual?

[hookem2oo7]

fully charge it before using it...then you can discharge it all the way if you want. that's how i've always done it, and i've never had a battery problem

[trinko]

does anyone know what the earliest date any of these batteries were sold is? thanks!

[ghporter]

My wife's iBook (with the recalled battery) was produced at the begining of January, 2004. I don't know where that places it in the recall, but at least we now have ONE date...

[Faceplant]

This is a quote...
"but its a scary thought to have one go off in a plane. Not only is it terrifying to see fire while in flight, but if that ever happens then it gives more reason to pull laptops and ipods off flights."

Are you kidding? Do you know what happens when laptop batteries mix with toothpaste?

Kaboom!!!!!

[bleee]

Crazy I have a battery in my origional iBook 600Mhz late 2001 G3 (this is the second battery I purchased for my iBook) and it qualifies for the recall, so does my 12inch G4 PowerBook.

[luckyjoe]

Don't bother wasting time on the phone - a couple minutes on the Apple web site and my iBook battery request was processed and confirmed...

Regards,

Tom P.

[ghporter]

We ordered my wife's replacement battery on August 24, and FedEx attempted to deliver the package yesterday-when nobody was home of course. That's 12 days by my count...