Recharging old MBP (not used in 2 years)

[AceC]

So, I have a 2010 MBP that I haven’t used in nearly two years since I bought a newer one. It’s battery was in bad shape (needed service and wouldn’t hold a super long charge); other than that issue and the way-outdated software, the MacBook worked decently well.



It’s been stored in a closet for all of that time, and the battery is likely dead also. However, I was going to retrieve some documents from it. Is it alright to use it again, or would doing so damage the battery any worse? I’m just concerned with the battery overheating or combusting if I were to charge.

 

[velocityg4]

It could damage the battery. When my 3GS was put into mothballs. The battery was in OK shape. I did everything right in discharging to around 50% and turning it off. When I charged it a couple years later. Everything seemed fine. Then within a couple days or weeks. The battery puffed up and destroyed the case. I've also had plenty of instances where it was not an issue. So, with Lithium Batteries it's luck of the draw.

 

[elbert]

Extract the HDD from the MBP and put it into a external USB3 enclosure.

Guaranteed the battery will not misbehave

 

[elbert]

It could damage the battery. When my 3GS was put into mothballs. The battery was in OK shape. I did everything right in discharging to around 50% and turning it off. When I charged it a couple years later. Everything seemed fine. Then within a couple days or weeks. The battery puffed up and destroyed the case. I've also had plenty of instances where it was not an issue. So, with Lithium Batteries it's luck of the draw.

View attachment 1962561

Expanding battery is a safety feature.

Its either a bloated bat or a a fire ball.

 

[BigBlur]

First off, a battery should be charged to 50% before putting it in storage. It should also be recharged back to 50% every six months. (Link)

Since you've gone nearly two years without a charge, I would probably avoid trying to recharge an already bad battery.

The battery is removable in the 2010 MBPs. So to be extra safe, you could just remove the battery before you plug it in to retrieve your files.

 

[AceC]

First off, a battery should be charged to 50% before putting it in storage. It should also be recharged back to 50% every six months. (Link)

Since you've gone nearly two years without a charge, I would probably avoid trying to recharge an already bad battery.

The battery is removable in the 2010 MBPs. So to be extra safe, you could just remove the battery before you plug it in to retrieve your files.

I didn’t really intend to leave it be, but it just kinda happened. It’s good to know that for future reference though.



So if I remove the battery, the MBP will still be able to work using just the power source?