So, I decided to give Apple a call while at work. I figured, I would run down the list of things I tried (resetting the PMU, resetting the PRAM, and even popping my battery into Carl’s Macbook — which didn’t recognize it either). I made sure I was prepared and had model numbers and serial numbers galore. She tells me that I have to, yet again, run through performing these steps while on the phone with her. Needless to say, I asked her if she was serious. She said, “Yes.” I hung up.

I decided to make an appointment with a Genius at one of the local Apple Stores. Luckily, there were 3 within a relatively short drive.

After arriving at the Apple Store in Braintree, MA, I sat down at the Genius Bar, told the guy in the hip, black shirt my name and was told I would only have to wait a few moments. Mr. Hip Black Shirt Man (after a few moments) asked me what the problem was. I explained that the battery wasn’t being recognized, that I attempted resetting the PRAM and PMU to no avail. I also told him I plugged the battery into a friend’s Macbook and it wasn’t recognized either. He walked away momentarily, came back with a new battery, replaced mine and said, “I guess you were the Genius for this one.” And, at that, I left.

It’s nice to know that, despite the silly Genius title, and the hip, black shirt, that the Genius Bar works. And, not only that, but the genius who helped me was even able to poke fun at the silly title given to him by Apple. And now I can, once again, use my Macbook untethered.

RE: Colin’s Mac problems

I think the root of Colin’s Apple hardware problems is that he buys the “newest” products too soon, you have to wait a little while and let others find the nasty hardware glitches. Just my 2 cents!