Question for Mac Book Pro Retina computer gurus: I have a Mac Book Pro Retina that is a few years old (about 4). Within the last month I have had a strange situation happen. When I...

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I have a Mac Book Pro Retina that is a few years old (about 4). Within the last month I have had a strange situation happen. When I boot up the computer the clock and date are no where near what the actual date/time should be. It happened the first time about a month ago. Then last night and again today. No one else has access to this computer. Going into the time/calender section and unlocking it immediately corrects by itself and everything goes back to normal.

Any ideas what is wrong or what I can do to fix it? Is this the beginning of the end for this computer?

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

There is a little watch type wafer battery (in a desktop may be cylinder type) on the motherboard that has gone bad. Best option may be to let it Sleep rather than powering down for long. It probably does not happen after a short shutdown and boot-up. Sleep may still keep the battery charged. [The battery can be replaced but it is probably not worth the cost. And even if you do travel with it the time may be the only setting you lose.]

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

luvmypets wrote:

Is this the beginning of the end for this computer?

No, that was when they swiped your card

If the battery is the only thing wrong than just make sure you have good backups and enjoy the laptop!

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

MichaelH wrote:

There is a little watch type wafer battery (in a desktop may be cylinder type) on the motherboard that has gone bad. Best option may be to let it Sleep rather than powering down for long. It probably does not happen after a short shutdown and boot-up. Sleep may still keep the battery charged. [The battery can be replaced but it is probably not worth the cost. And even if you do travel with it the time may be the only setting you lose.]

Thank you!!! I appreciate your advice.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

MichaelH wrote:

No, that was when they swiped your card

If the battery is the only thing wrong than just make sure you have good backups and enjoy the laptop!

Yes, I do have it backed up and will back up again tonight before shutting down or letting it sleep. Thank you!!!

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

Sleep only uses a little more power than shutting down as the monitor is off and the hard drive is powered down. And when booted up and you are using the Mac the little battery gets power from the main battery.

I am also sure you can find a youtube video on replacing any number of the components inside. It just needs tiny tools and nerves of steel. Or the new replacement MacBook sitting on the table for watching the video while you do the procedure - that can give you more confidence in a satisfactory outcome.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

MichaelH wrote:

Sleep only uses a little more power than shutting ... (show quote)

I will check for videos. I have an older (twice the age of the Mac) HP that I can watch while working with the Mac. Thank you very much for all the suggestions.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

luvmypets wrote:

I have a Mac Book Pro Retina that is a few years ... (show quote)

Most Mac notebook computers since the early PowerBooks have had a rechargeable battery to back up the clock when the main battery is exhausted. When that battery dies or gets flaky and won't recharge, you see what you're experiencing. If your computer is four years old, chances are the main battery isn't holding much of a charge, either.

The computer will reset itself when you are online and have set the System Preferences Date & Time option to "Set Date and Time Automatically." Apple has a time server...

Depending on the model you have, you may be able to replace the batteries (one or both of them). Go to iFixIt.com and see...

Phreedom Loc: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

luvmypets wrote:

I have a Mac Book Pro Retina that is a few years ... (show quote)

Apple uses a proprietary motherboard battery called a PRAM. Replacements seem to run anywhere from $15 to $30.
Accessing the batteries, depending on the MacBook model and year, can be a very involved, multi-step, delicate and time consuming process.
There are lots of YouTube instruction videos detailing How To. Just make sure you search for the exact model number.
Check your local Apple store for total cost of service, it may not be worth your time to Do-It-Yourself.

And Yes, your main battery pack may also be failing and not fully charging when plugged in.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

burkphoto wrote:

Most Mac notebook computers since the early PowerB... (show quote)

The main battery is not having any problems....it still charges well and will run for hours. When I booted the computer this evening the clock was working perfectly but it is obvious something isn't right so I will be calling the nearest (80 miles away) Apple store tomorrow to see if they have any idea what is wrong. Then I will have to find a day that I can take it to them.

I did check to confirm that the "set date and time automatically" was checked and it is. It will not correct until I unlock the little "padlock" at the bottom of the screen but it does correct itself.

I greatly appreciate you insights and will ask the techs about the changing both batteries. I'm not brave enough to tackle this myself.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Phreedom wrote:

Apple uses a proprietary motherboard battery calle... (show quote)

The main battery will charge and the charge will run for hours but due to the fact that the PRAM battery seems to be failing and that a trip to my closest store (80 miles away) is going to take a chunk of time I will look into having the main battery changed as well. My old HP is so much easier in that respect....push a button...it pops out...pop in the new one and charge. Oh well.

Thank you for your input. I will contact the Apple store tomorrow and see about getting it to them.

Docmac

Before you run to the Apple store try resetting the pram and the power. Resetting the PRAM is a simply fix that can resolve a variety of mysterious symptoms, from preferences settings that refuse to be retained on restart to problems restarting all together. the simplest way to do this is to restart your Mac and immediately hold down Command-Option-P-R Keys. Wait until the mac restarts itself three times, then let go of the keys.

The power manager can also cause problems, and should be reset. As far as a battery a replacement runs about $100 bucks and is easy to change. I'd keep your Macbook as it is one of the last model that can be upgraded by adding more memory or ram and switching to a SSD.
Its a last of the updateable Mac laptops.

Phreedom Loc: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Docmac wrote:

Before you run to the Apple store try resetting th... (show quote)

http://www.macworld.com/article/2881177/how-to-reset-your-macs-nvram-pram-and-smc.html

Even so, your problems indicate a weak (low voltage) "PRAM" battery problem.
Yes, main batteries run around $100 and are easy to change out. PRAM batteries are cheaper but not so easy to change out. Go to the iFixit.com web site and look up your specific model for illustrated instructions on How To.

clixpix Loc: Surprise, Arizona

luvmypets wrote:

I have a Mac Book Pro Retina that is a few years ... (show quote)

Hi:

Did you know that phone support for Apple is now a free service. I have used it several times for my desktop and I-Pad. You may want to give them a call with this clock/date issue. Their number is 1-800-275-2273.

Good Luck.

Joe

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Phreedom wrote:

http://www.macworld.com/article/2881177/how-to-reset-your-macs-nvram-pram-and-smc.html

Even so, your problems indicate a weak (low voltage) "PRAM" battery problem.
Yes, main batteries run around $100 and are easy to change out. PRAM batteries are cheaper but not so easy to change out. Go to the iFixit.com web site and look up your specific model for illustrated instructions on How To.

After checking iFixIt's web site, I'm pretty sure that the "Unibody" MacBook Pros don't use a separate PRAM battery. The logic is that users can't just pop out a battery without using special tools, so there isn't a need to back up the clock and parameter RAM during a battery change.

So I'll bet something else is going on. If clearing PRAM settings and resetting the power manager don't do anything, your Mac needs special attention. Genius Bar...