Problems with the battery

Question

Dear Apple Support Team,
My name is Irene Yankelevich and I come from Belarus. I am writing to you to tell the long story of my sufferings with the MacBook that I have purchased while in the US last year. I sincerely hope that there is something that could be done in order to rid me of the constant disappointments with using this computer.
Let me start with a short preface, so as you, too, could understand the reasons for my inner frustration and helplessness.
I have already mentioned that I was in the US last summer (2006) on Work&Travel exchange program. I worked hard all summer, and by the end of my stay I could finally afford a laptop computer of which I dreamt night and day for the last year. I spent 2 months trying to make a decision as to what computer I should pick out, and decided to go with MacBook. It appealed to me with its design and looks, as well as the operating system. I must stress at this point that my only concern at the time was the fact that if there are any repairs needed in the future, it will be quite difficult to get the computer fixed in Belarus. However, I trusted the brand name and some of the reviews on the Web and believed that the issue will never arise anyway, so I shouldn't worry. But...
It all started in December 2006, when I was on my way to Poland. I was watching movies on the train, so my battery went completely dead. It took me some 8 hrs to get to the first power plug and feed my 'hungry baby', but how much was I surprised and shocked to see that first of all the indicator light went green instead of orange and the battery indicator looked like a black cross, saying that there are no batteries detected (see the attachments for a vivid explanation 'indic_light' and battery'). I am sure you have heard the story before, so I will not go into more detail on the looks of things. I then went ahead and googled the problem. To my greatest grief and disappointment I found out that there were lots of others like me, and all of them claimed that the only solution was to get a battery replacement. I could do it for free if I were in the STates, but I wasn't. So I saved some money and ordered a new battery through my host family in the Stated. It took another month and a half for it to get to Belarus, but it finally did. I was happier than ever, read the instructions and inserted the new battery. But oh BUMMER!!! the computer wouldn;t even turn on.
I was frustrated even more than before, because now it occurred to me that my problem could be different from that of everyone else. I researched more and found out that there is a company claiming that they are a certified Apple center in Belarus, called Beliy Terem. I called them up, set up an appointment and brought my computer there hoping to get some advice. My laptop is still in its warranty period, so they agreed to examine it for free, but asked me to leave it for a day. It was probably the longest day in my life, but I managed to survive and came back to get my laptop back fixed. It was only then that I discovered they could not do anything, They claim to have tested both the batteries, and they were both defective. I asked them wether they tried to put other batteries (for sure working) into my computer, but they said it was too risky. Therefore, there was no guarantee whatsoever that the problem really was not inside the computer itself. They also offered to deal with the battery exchange (saying that it would take half a year to get the new ones), or to break the warranty period by taking the computer apart. I wasn't ready for any of these, and decided to take the computer home.
It has been 3 and a half month since my computer is not working without a power plug, which is pretty problematic for my lifestyle. I have no idea what to do or where to go, and to tell you the truth am a little disappointed in the way things have been working out for me and my Apple friend..
There are 2 more issues. I never dropped the MacBook or hit it or anything of a kind. But for some reason two cracks appeared on it. I am attaching a picture of those as well.
I am returning to the States in early July for a week. Is there something you could do to get my faith in Apple back? It is still on warranty ( I purchased it in early August)
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Irene Yankelevich
[phone]

Answer 1

Apple doesn't provide a way to use email for support. Here are some telephone numbers:
http://www.apple.com/euro/cemea/
If you haven't already, you would have nothing to lose by trying an SMC reset:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319