MacBook Malfunctions

Parent Cafe
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<p>My S has an Apple MacBook laptop that is about 2 and a half years old. He just had his 4th power cord replaced. Previously, Apple replaced the laptop “magnetic” port connection that the power cord gets plugged into. Each new power/charger cord works fine for about 3 months and then will not power the computer any longer after that. The cords just go “dead”, won’t light up, won’t power the computer. </p>

<p>New replacement power cords are obviiously not fixing the problem long-term but my S couldn’t be without his computer for the “few days” needed to diagnose the problem right now, so he just opted to replace the cord yet AGAIN. So far, the diagnostic testing that Apple has performed has not uncovered the problem. Has anyone else had this problem and, if so, what’s going on?</p>

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<p>Have you tried posting your question on MacForums?
[Mac</a> Forums | Apple, iPod, iPhone Discussions](<a href=“http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/]Mac”>http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/)</p>

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<p>Maybe it’s the battery?</p>

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<p>Same thing happened to our daughter. We were advised by apple to download free online software to fix this problem. Don’t know all of the details since my husband took care of it, but you should contact apple. It was a really simple and cost-free fix.</p>

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<p>zapfino: Thanks for posting the link- will re-post
franglish: Tech at Apple said the battery was okay
sjmomof2: Tech did some software updates. I’ll look into a software download</p>

<p>Thanks for your help. S’s laptop spent 24 hours “in the shop” but they could not find anything wrong with it. Very frustrating…</p>

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<p>If he isn’t being careful with the cords, he may be breaking one of the wires.
Can it power up with the cords in the Apple store or at his school?
[Apple</a> Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters](<a href=“http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1713]Apple”>If your MagSafe cable or power adapter isn't working - Apple Support)</p>

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<p>^Thanks emerald. Even the guy at the Genius Bar said that the power adapter cords looked fine and that to have FOUR in total all stop working was highly unlikely.</p>

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<p>Bummer. Only posting to say that my MacBook is almost exactly the same age and I have never had that problem… so it’s likely not a “recall-every-unit-has-this-problem” kind of thing. </p>

<p>Does he almost always plug it into the same wall outlet? Could there be something wrong there? (I realize this is an ignoramus question… just brainstorming).</p>

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<p>^Good thought jmmom, but the power adapters also failed to work at the Genius Bar counter.</p>

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<p>Very strange!!! Does your son have a strange energy aura around him? (JK ;))</p>

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<p>I wasn’t thinking that they wouldn’t work where he usually plugs them in, but that the outlet he usually uses might be “frying” them in some way… or putting off that “strange energy aura” anxiousmom is talking about ;).</p>

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<p>My d’s macbook has had this same problem 3 times. Apple replaced the battery the first 2 times, and the power cord along with a new battery the last time. It’s only been 2 months since the last replacement, so I don’t know if the problem is really solved.</p>