The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
Apple Replacing Faulty MagSafe Power Adapters

Apple Replacing Faulty MagSafe Power Adapters

by , 8:45 AM EDT, August 20th, 2008

MacBook and MacBook Pro owners with frayed MagSafe power adapter cords are finally getting some relief now that Apple is replacing the damaged chargers. Adapters that are showing damage on the cord near the magnetic laptop connector may be eligible for free replacement even if the computer is out of warranty.


Image courtesy of Apple Inc.

MagSafe adapters that are eligible for replacement show some type of separation between the white insulation on the power cord near the magnetic laptop plug. They may also appear discolored and the rummer molding may be deformed.

Users can take their power adapter to an Apple Retail Store Genius Bar or an authorized Apple Service Provider for replacement. Additional information is available at the Apple Support Web site.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Sir Harry Flashman Posts: 792 Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Subject: Rummer molding?

"and the rummer molding may be deformed."

"rummer molding" I think I know what the term means, but I wasn't sure so I tried to look it up and couldn't find an answer. Can any readers here give a definitive definition of rummer molding?

Close Name:Guest
Subject: I feel sorry for Apple

On this one I feel a little sorry for Apple - I know, big organisation, they can take it etc.

But I suspect that this sort of thing did not show up during the design process and comes as part of ageing of the material used in the connector and cable. It would be very sad if this gets the magsafe design a bad name, when in fact it is a great idea, it is just in this case there was s shortcoming in he implementation.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Rummer molding

Elementary, my dear Watson: This was obviously the post of a right handed touch typer who, from the rest position in the bottom row, subconsciously used his right finger rather than move his left finger one key to the right. We lefties have superior intellects and so we know what rubber boldings are.

Close Name:WetcoastBob Posts: 83 Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Subject: Bummer

There is no Genius Bar close enough that I can get to without spending a whole day of travel and about the cost of a new adapter to get to it.

I found that through use the outer insulator of the cord would pull out of the rubber moulding (first versions had a shorter sleeve), this would stretch the shielding, which is also ground. When you pushed it back in it would invariably pull out again. I was always careful to pull on the connector and never the cord.

After many in and outs the wires of the shielding would part due to metal fatigue. When only 2 or three wires of the shielding were left they would get hot and melt insulation and the rubber moulding.

Desperate, I cut the rubber moulding away and crimped a copper sleeve over the shielding and this worked for quite a while.

Fortunately, someone who toasted a brand new MacBook by dumping Coke over her keyboard, gave me her 45w charger. It works just fine but runs a little warm.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Mine got this...

I caught my charger smoking... literally. The laptop is used a lot, so we temporarily tried to fix the burnt wire problem with sellotape. this melted too.

Comment on this Article


You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated July 5th

Fri, 10:29 AM
News - Apple Warns of Learning Interchange Security Breach
7:30 AM
News - Happy Fourth of July!
Thu, 6:07 PM
TMO Scoop - Psystar Moves to Drop Bankruptcy Ahead of Apple Legal Battle
5:37 PM
News - Uncomfirmed Reports Say Apple & Nvidia On The Outs
4:57 PM
News - Microsoft Sick Over Barf Ad
4:09 PM
Product News - KRK Ships R6 Passive Studio Monitor for Recording
3:45 PM
John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 7/2)  Juiced, Joost and Goosed
3:12 PM
Product News - ExactScan 2 Pro Released
1:56 PM
Deal Brothers - Apple TV with 160GB Hard Drive:  $324.00 Delivered
12:46 PM
TMO Appearances - TMO Appearances Jeff Gamet Shares iPhone Apps on MacJury
10:41 AM
Product News - Art Text 2.2 Adds New Templates, Layer Options [Updated]
10:04 AM
Hot Forum Topic - Deciphering Mac Sales

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!