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General discussion

Keyboard, trackpad and cursor problems on Mac Book Pro

Aug 15, 2009 4:38PM PDT

I have a 17 inch Mac Book Pro. I normally use a Apple keyboard and mouse plugged into the keyboard with my MB. This weekend I was out of town and I had to use the keyboard and trackpad. If I was typing something, all of a sudden it would start typing where ever it wanted to. When I used the trackpad the cursor would jump where ever on the desktop. I plugged in a USB mouse and it still went where it wanted to. A few weeks ago I had the battery replaced as it had bulged out and I don't know if something happened at that time... I have AppleCare so I had taken the MB to a Apple Store.
Any ideas of what could be happening to my computer? Or should I take it in again?
Thanks
Barb
MacBook Pro OS 10.4.11
Model Name: MacBook Pro 17"
Model Identifier: MacBookPro2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.33 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP21.00A5.B08
SMC Version: 1.14f5

Discussion is locked

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If the Apple Store
Aug 16, 2009 12:13AM PDT

is reasonably close, I would take it in and demonstrate the problem to them.

Prior to that though, I would go through the process of resetting the PRAM and repairing Disk Permissions. (It may not do anything, but they will ask)
You could also try creating another account on that machine and seeing if the problem is still there when you log onto the new account.

Let us know how you get on

Good luck

P

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Problem solved.
Jan 3, 2010 11:07AM PST

Here are the steps I took. I was curious if a key logger or some cookie issues were involved. I went through with ClamxAv & MacScan2. Found 13 cookies that were suspect and blew them away. No other issues noted.

I rechecked for Software and firmware and there was a new firmware update for the SuperDrive. I ran it even though i thought it would have little to do with the problem.

I also found an odd user account called "Staff" which was set to read only. I blew that away since I did not create it.

After the restart I had no more problems with the keyboard. I can now type rapidly with no stall or missed characters.

I am not prone to the bulging battery issues since this is the very last 15 inch Macbook Pro that has a removable battery and I do not believe those batteries exhibit the behavior. I think I would see trackpad issues first, which I did not.

Thank you for the suggestions.

The key stroke problem only showed during logins, postings in web apps etc.

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(NT) Thanks for letting us know
Jan 3, 2010 8:54PM PST
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TAKE IT IN!
Aug 16, 2009 6:23AM PDT

If you have warranty on it, you might as well take advantage of it! I would guess that the connector between the keyboard/touchpad and the computer is loose. I've had this problem on other machines (mainly after I'd replaced the keyboard), where it would only work correctly if you held the connector in you fingers and pressed it together. No idea what sort of connecter they use on Macbooks, but it's probably similar. Good luck.

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Keyboard trackpad etc problems
Aug 17, 2009 2:53AM PDT

Did they say why your battery was bulging like that? I am experiencing the same problem but I don't have Apple care? My trackpad and mouse was also acting very weird this weekend as the battery got larger and larger. There might be a connection.

I removed the battery and am operating it with out the battery until I get a replacement- and the problem with the mouse and tracking pad went away.

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Keyboard, trackpad and cursor problems on Mac Book Pro
Aug 17, 2009 5:27AM PDT

I thought for sure the bulging battery had something to do with my trackpad, keyboard, and cursor problems. I reset the PRAM and repaired the permissions and the problems have gone away.
The bulging battery is a known issue but as far as I know, at this time, Apple has not done a recall of the battery.
Thanks for the replies to this post.

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Lost trackpad and keyboard
Nov 11, 2009 3:25AM PST

I am having a similar problem. At the beginning of this summer my keyboard and trackpad started to act strange. In the middle of the summer they even went completely dead. It could be helped by taking out the battery and putting it back. But for two days ago the keyboard and trackpad stopped working completely. I went to an Apple shop and there they saw that when you push on both small cables behind the battery the cursor and keyboard came back. I think such a problem is too early for a MacBook Pro not older than 1 year and two months. Calling Apple brought them to the conclusion that the issue has no reports at Apple's. That means that they don't keep records or that people who have the same problem don't get in touch with Apple. Isn't there a collective case to build?

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Any problem with a Mac that is under warranty, should
Nov 11, 2009 7:19AM PST

be reported to Apple who do keep a record of such things.

The important thing is, did they fix it for you?

P

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Lost trackpad and keyboard
Nov 22, 2009 7:22PM PST

No, Apple told me that there were no reports of such occasions. And it even became more funny (because I know exactly what's causing it): last week after removing the tiny folded piece of paper on the cable that is causing the issue, for a couple of day my MacBook Pro functioned like normal. It is really the cable in my case. If I put the laptop with the screen down on something soft and put my finger on the trackpad and -after removing the battery- on the cable it starts working again. So it is precisely a loose cable which already started showing this problem after a little more than a year. I have a choice:either I pay a lot of money for a new topcase with no guarantee that the problem will not reappear, or have the piece of -worthless- paper behind the battery. I am a professor at an art academy and teach to graphic design and industrial design students. these are the most likely buyers of Mac products but now I am becoming reluctant in recommending them Apple laptops....

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Keystroke Issues (Pauses, duplicates and no characters)
Jan 3, 2010 4:58AM PST

I am having Extreme difficulty with every keystroke.

Here is an example:

"eatrtt" was "each day I try to type".

I must pause at EVERY keystroke,back space, repeated and missed key strokes. This started after Apple's Latest Firmware update!

Help! Password Logins are almost impossible.

System Software Overview:

System Version: Mac OS X 10.5.8 (9L30)
Kernel Version: Darwin 9.8.0
Boot Volume: Macintosh HD
Boot Mode: Normal

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP51.007E.B05
SMC Version (system): 1.41f2

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Create a new admin account
Jan 3, 2010 5:27AM PST

and see if the problem still persists

P

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So, did you fix the problem??
Sep 22, 2010 1:17AM PDT

I'm having the exact same problem, and it is frankly driving me nuts!! Not only does cursor jump backwards, refuse to move forward, & replaces letters as I type...but it randomly selects items on my desktop & toolbar, which has caused me to mistakenly move files, and delete settings. So, bizarre and annoying! Were you able to fix the problem??? If so, what's the solution....

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Did you do what was suggested?
Sep 22, 2010 2:59AM PDT

create another admin account and see if the problem persists?

P

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Trackpad my need grounding strap
Jan 28, 2011 2:04AM PST

After owning my My 13" macbook pro for about 6 months, the trackpad started to malfunction. The cursor would stick, jump around erratically, move when I tried to click on something (causing me to open apps and windows I didn't want to) and open the running application menu that is typically opened when you click Command+Tab without me even touching the computer! It seemed possessed. I called Apple and they thought that it might be a swelling battery or that I might need to replace the trackpad. Since the battery is internal, I needed to bring it to a repair shop to have it diagnosed. As it turned out, the trackpad didn't have a "Grounding Strap" and that's what was causing the erratic behavior. It seems to be working much better now. I hope this helps other mac users who are having similar issues.

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I have exactly the same problem
Sep 30, 2011 6:54PM PDT

I have exactly the same problem, and the strange thing is it comes and it goes. Sometimes I'm able to use it foor days without any problem whatsoever and suddenly it goes crazy on me. The cursur is moving and clicking all over the screen like it is posessed... Also typing becomes impossible because the texts gets selected and deleted or copied and pasted randomly. It is driving me nuts. I took it to the apple store and there it suddenly functioned like a charm again. Grrrrr
Modelnaam: MacBook Pro
Modelaanduiding: MacBookPro6,2
Processornaam: Intel Core i5
Processorsnelheid: 2,53 GHz
Aantal processors: 1
Totale aantal cores: 2
L2-cache (per core): 256 KB
L3-cache: 3 MB
Geheugen: 4 GB
Interconnectsnelheid processor: 4.8 GT/s
Opstart-ROM-versie: MBP61.0057.B0C
SMC-versie (systeem): 1.58f15
Serienummer (systeem): W80169HVAGV
Hardware-UUID: 5C1F87A8-C66C-5DC2-859F-276EE5FA8A08
Sudden Motion Sensor: Status: Ingeschakeld

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Two things
Oct 1, 2011 12:16AM PDT

Two things

1: Don't hijack other people's posts, especially one from like 2 years ago

2: You have a bad top case and possibly liquid damage on the trackpad

I could tell you how to test this, but most people find it pretty difficult to get the top case flex cable back in the connector, especially when you can't remove the battery to get a little extra room to work with. If you go to a repair shop with that disconnected, they're going to assume you've tampered with the unit and deny coverage.

Also, I haven't inspected it personally, so I can't say one way or the other, but if you've ever spilled liquid on the unit, regardless of whether or not you thought you cleaned it all up and it's been working great ever since then, be prepared for the possibility that they will come back saying it has liquid damage and quoting you a repair fee. If you haven't ever spilled anything on it, then you're good to go.