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bac2mac · 10:39 AM

My black Macbook (2Ghz, 120gigHD, upgraded 2gig RAM purchased August '06 build week 31) recently (within that last 2 weeks) developed a random shutdown problem. I have read through several RSS threads, and apparently my SN is within the affected range. The sudden shutdown symptoms are the same, but with mine it only happens when the power cord is not connected and regardless of how much charge the battery has so I am wondering if it is battery problem and not necessarily the heat sink.

Let me weplain what's happening...
It seams to happen after it's been asleep for a while, and then is woke up and the processors are under load. When it shuts down, and I try to restart it, it will begin to start up and then shutdown again. Eventually, it won't respond at all, until I plug it up, and then it works fine. The console shutdown log is "0".

The situation...
Now, this machine is over 2 years old and has been literally problem free since new. It's been fantastic, and obviously the warranty has expired. So while this recent problem is discomforting, there are no hard feelings. However, it does affect my plans for this machine, such as do I bother upgrading to Leopard and is it worth putting much (if any) money into it.

Questions...
So, what are my options here? Could the issue be the battery? A new battery is $129 at apple. Is there anyway to test it? How much is it to replace the heat sink without warranty?

I don't really have the cash for a new computer right now, and I really think the computer has a lot more life left but as a laptop, it is inconvenient not being able to use it unplugged. Thoughts?

bac2mac · Sep 20, 2008, 02:59 PM

Anyone?

seanc · Sep 20, 2008, 03:12 PM

If it's only happening when you're running from the battery and not when you're using the power adapter, it's a battery problem. How many cycles does the battery have?

If it were the actual RSS issue, I would expect Apple to fix it for free because it's a known issue.

Chuckit · Sep 20, 2008, 03:22 PM

Actually, now that I think about it, back when I had a bad battery in my PowerBook, it would do what you're describing. It would just shut down at seemingly random times unrelated to the battery's remaining charge. Unless you have access to another MacBook, though, I'm not sure what the best way to test it is, though. Maybe see if your local Apple Store will help?

bac2mac · Sep 21, 2008, 08:34 AM

Not sure how many cycles it has, but probably quite a few since it's over two years old. I'll start there, $130 for two years work isn't bad. Good to know that if it does turn out to be a heat sink issue Apple might foot the bill though. Looks like I may be able to hang on to the old girl for a while yet!

Thanks...

seanc · Sep 21, 2008, 09:16 AM

You can check to see how may cycles the battery has in System Profiler. This is accessed by going to the apple menu > About this Mac > More info... You'll find the battery information under Power.

Cold Warrior · Sep 21, 2008, 09:29 AM

I've had luck with apple replacing hardware that's out of the 1 year warranty period if it was subject to some sort of recall or defective serial number range. Did you find an apple support document showing the affected range? Keep that handy and call Apple. Reference that document/KB number and tell them you thought recalls or defective ranges were not subject to warranty periods (since they were, by nature, defective from the get-go).

bac2mac · Sep 29, 2008, 02:01 PM

Update....
So I found out I did by the extended Applecare, and I am covered thru 7/09. I am on the phone with applecare right now and they agree that the battery is defective (only 271 cycles, max charge 2266), BUT they won't replace it because it's older than two years. WTF? So what exactly did I pay for when I bought the extended coverage?

I'm on hold for a "specialist"...

bac2mac · Sep 29, 2008, 02:48 PM

So it turns out the batteries are only covered for 1 year. Looks like I'll have to pony up the cash for a new one, which I'm okay with as long as the new one gives me another 2 years. They may cover my cracked wrist pads though, we'll see. I had to send them photos...

This does bring to question though, what WILL Applecare cover? Only "known issues" and design flaws? Shouldn't those be covered regardless? What are some other "known issues" I should look out for?