older macbook worth fixing

[Redetotry]

I picked up my laptop this morning to show DH Anita's gorgeous new toy and the battery was partway out of the back. I tried to put it back but it would go, took it out and found two of the three little pouch like things in the battery were much larger that the one in the middle. It is pretty old and has OS 10.6.8 and can't be upgraded to anything higher. Until I took the battery out, it was working fine.

Should I toss it or see how much it would cost for new battery pack. I have another computer I mostly use and planning to buy a new iPhone 6.

[MelissaD]

Normally if you can find parts and if it's older than say 2 years, you can buy a new more powerful one for just a couple of bucks more. We fixed a Kindle Fire power port that was 2 years old and it cost $112 but a new one was around $150. If it was not for the fact the old Kindle Fire ran Adobe and the new one ran Silverlight and we had some programs for Chezza than would not run on Silverlight, I would never repaired it. Lasted a couple of months and died again.

Electronics are obsolete the moment you buy them. I recommend recycle it and move on.

[Redetotry]

Thanks Melissa, that's what I thought. If I recycle it do I worry about all the information on it?

[MandysMom]

There are ways to remove/scramble the info. Will the MacBook work plugged in minus the battery? If so, there is software to scramble the data. It is not good to recycle without either removing the hard drive or scrambling it. Do Some checking online. I have only been involved in doing that for PC so not sure on how with Apple product.
Velda

[MelissaD]

You can try erasing it. Set it back to factory settings many times will erase the information stored on a tablet. If you can remove the hard drive you can always take a hammer and physically destroy the hard drive that's the safest. They actually make hard drive shredders. Guess it depends on how personal/sensitive the information is you have on it. If you can reformat the disk 2 times its normally enough to prevent the vast majority of people from retrieving any information from the hard drive. If you watch NCIS, you might not stop Abby but you'd be safe from most everyone else

[MandysMom]

I definately want Abby as my friend not opponent!
Velda

[Redetotry]

I love NCIS, but Abby and I might tangle over Deek

If it doesn't work without the battery, I think I'll take the battery to the recycle and stick the computer in the basement.

[MandysMom]

There is a place that rebuilds batteries. Sent the battery for my laptop (not an apple) to them and think I paid $99 and they completely put new cells in and made it like new which saved me the hassle of finding exactly the right size for it. I can look up the place tomorrow and post it if I can remember ( handyman coming early).
Velda

[MandysMom]

Showed Mel ( former Navy computer repair) and he said what ever you do do not try to use that battery as it appears the layers have separated and it could explode or catch fire when plugged into power.
Velda

[Redetotry]

Showed Mel ( former Navy computer repair) and he said what ever you do do not try to use that battery as it appears the layers have separated and it could explode or catch fire when plugged into power.
Velda

Thanks Velda, I won't, some other little plastic parts fell off when I took the battery out so I just put it all in a bag separate from the computer. I'm just thankful I noticed how much it was bulging out. I had notice some time ago it wasn't quite in all the way, so guess I am really lucky it didn't explode. I need to thank Anita for buying her new toy, if I hadn't picked up the computer to show it to DH I wouldn't have noticed how bad it was.

[MandysMom]

Yes I showed hubby Anita's new toy too.
Velda

[Redetotry]

Wow, thanks to a friends advice who works with computers, I was able to get a new battery installed for $30.00! I am a happy camper!

[Bethers]

Wow, thanks to a friends advice who works with computers, I was able to get a new battery installed for $30.00! I am a happy camper!

Now that's great news.