Troubleshooting trackpad problems: Problems using a mouse exclusively; workarounds
Troubleshooting trackpad problems: Problems using a mouse exclusively; workarounds
It appears that there may be a compatibility issue between some iterations of Apple mice and certain portable models.
MacFixIt reader J. Strauss writes "I have an iBook 12" dual USB, and a Titanium PowerBook 400 15" both running 10.2.6. I also have four Apple Pro Optical mice. One mouse is an early version with a translucent plug, while the other three have a white plug. Both the iBook and the PowerBook have an option under System Preferences > Mouse, to ignore (deactivate) the Trackpad when a mouse is plugged in. In other words the Trackpad should not be usable when a mouse is plugged in.
"I found that this option doesn't work when anyone of the mice with the white plug is plugged in - but, and this is the weirdest thing - when the mouse with the translucent plug is connected - the deactivate Trackpad option works as it should. The only difference between the four mice that I can see, is that the cord of the mouse with the translucent plug, which works, is 5" shorter than the cords on the mice with the white plug.
"By the way, the mouse with the translucent plug is a black mouse, while of the other three, one is black, and the other two are white."
UPDATES: MacFixIt reader William Bonk says that his MIcrosoft Intellimouse Optical is unable to be ignored on his Lombard PowerBook G3. He writes: "My solution: fasten a business card over the trackpad using a piece of tape on the left side, and flip it up when you need to use the trackpad. This works like a charm."
Scott Newman offers a solution that will permanently disable the trackpad - on PowerBooks that utilize ADB for the trackpad - until the process is reversed. Find the following file:
YourStartupDisk/System/Library/Extensions/AppleADBMouse.kext
Move it out of the Extensions folder, but save it in a location where it can be retrieved later.
If you are having problems with some mice not being able to be ignored, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com, specifying which model of mouse you are using.Resources