|
Replies
:
10
-
Pages
:
1
-
Last Post
:
Feb 23, 2006 1:46 PM
by: Matthew Boyer
|
Topics
:
[
Previous
|
Next
]
|
|
Posts:
855
Registered:
Jul 17, 2001
|
|
|
|
trackpad problems on new PB G4 (dual-layer SuperDrive)
Posted:
Nov 4, 2005 1:21 AM
|
|
|
I just got a brand-new PB G4 1.67 GHz today ... and as soon as I turned it on and start filling in the OS X configuration dialogs, I noticed the PB wasn't responding properly to trackpad *clicks* -- one out of every 5 or so would register. Since then, I've been able to enable clicking via the touchpad which works *infaillibly*, and turning off "ignore accidental trackpad input" seems to have helped somewhat, but it's still unacceptable.
Other problem: while typing, my PowerBook is dropping spaces when I hit the space bar!
Does anyone have a clue as to what might be wrong? I updated to 10.4.3 almost immediately, so all the system software is up to date.
|
|
Posts:
36
Registered:
Aug 2, 2004
|
|
|
|
RE: trackpad problems on new PB G4 (dual-layer SuperDrive)
Posted:
Nov 6, 2005 6:09 PM
in response to: odysseus
|
|
|
I have a problem which I believe might be similar to yours.
Some clicks don't register while others register too quickly resulting in unwanted double clicking.
My PowerBook is one year old, and I assume my problem is related to dust/dirt under the trackpad button.
The way I temporarily solve it (while looking for a permanent solution) is to press hard on the button and slide my finger back and forth a few times. This seems to put the button back in good working order for about 20 to 50 clicks. After that, I need to repeat the excercise.
Unfortunately, my Powerbook is out of warranty, but yours isn't. I would advise you see an Apple Genius or call Apple directly.
Please share your findings here.
|
|
Posts:
6
Registered:
Nov 15, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: trackpad problems on new PB G4 (dual-layer SuperDrive)
Posted:
Nov 15, 2005 3:33 PM
in response to: odysseus
|
|
|
I am having a similar problem with my trackpad button on a new PowerBook (15" DL SD model).
I originally noticed it trying to drag icons into my dock; things went haywire to say the least. I notice it the most when dragging, it seems like when I hold the button, it will randomly unclick and reclick. I've tried using two hands just to make sure I'm not slipping with one finger. It is definately the button "letting go" for a brief moment.
It bothers me a lot especially when compared to my 3 year old 15" gigabit TiBook trackpad (with no built-in special features) that still works absurdly well.
I don't get a tactile click that some other people were "complaining" about; really I don't get much feedback at all from the button (someone said their button feels like mud, it's a good description of how mine feels).
Anyone else having the anti-click trackpad problems?
|
|
Posts:
5
Registered:
Sep 5, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: RE: trackpad problems on new PB G4 (dual-layer SuperDrive)
Posted:
Nov 15, 2005 6:14 PM
in response to: Pedro Marques
|
|
|
My 15 inch PowerBook has developed this too. The tactile feel hasn't changed, but sometimes I get double clicks, sometimes no click. It's about a year and a half old. Time to call AppleCare...
PowerBook G4
Mac OS X (10.4.3)
|
|
Posts:
1
Registered:
Nov 16, 2005
|
|
|
Posts:
117
Registered:
May 3, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: trackpad problems on new PB G4 (dual-layer SuperDrive)
Posted:
Nov 24, 2005 9:56 AM
in response to: odysseus
|
|
|
Same problem here. Got new PowerBook, discovered the issue, called AppleCare and was offered a replacement. The replacement has exactly the same problem. Not sure what to do now - going to call them up again after the holidays. I also have an older PowerBook 15" 1.5GHz, which works perfect - the trackpad button is excellent!
With this new one - I'm thinking that most likely I'm just going to return it back and keep using the old one. I just can't afford wasting my time with issues like these - try selecting a thousand files, when the last click registers as a double click! Imagine the thousand files being open simultaneously!
PowerBook G4 15" 1.67GHz "SuperFly"
Mac OS X (10.4.3)
|
|
Posts:
10
Registered:
Dec 11, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: RE: trackpad problems on new PB G4 (dual-layer SuperDrive)
Posted:
Dec 11, 2005 11:10 PM
in response to: Pedro Marques
|
|
|
I suppose I'm glad I'm not the only one hating the dysfunctional trackpad button, but sadly, it looks like it's probably a hardware issue and we'll all be stuck with this miserable behavior!
I've been using my new PowerBook g4 1.67GHz for about three days now and have the same problems being discussed here:
- Very hard to resize windows w/out a click getting passed through to whatever window is under the pointer which then brings that window to the front.
- Lost clicks
- Trying to drag icons or other items around often results in the item being "dropped" while dragging
- Great difficulty in accurately dragging across text in windows
Will you please address these issues, Apple Computer?
What follows is copied from a Macintouch reader email and seems to describe the situation pretty well:
Third (and perhaps most irritating), the mouse button does not work dependably. I would characterize its behavior as a lack of acceptable hysteresis. By this I mean that with a mouse button, when the switch "clicks" mechanically into the down position, a click event should be sent to the OS. When releasing pressure, the mouse UP event should not be sent to the OS until most of the pressure on the switch has been released (ideally, when it clicks into the "up" position). So, different mechanical positions should generate the up and down events.
This is not the case with this mouse button. If I press the button and it "clicks" mechanically, that click doesn't always make it to the OS. Worse, a mouse UP will be sent occasionally when only a small amount of pressure is released. (The "down" problem is rare, but the up problem is 100% reproducible and demonstrable.)
Powerbook G4 15" 1.67GHz DualLayer SD Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1.5GB Ram
|
|
Posts:
10
Registered:
Dec 11, 2005
|
|
|
|
Flaky trackpad on new PowerBook G4 (dual-layer SuperDrive)
Posted:
Dec 12, 2005 11:41 AM
in response to: wkw
|
|
|
Having spent too many of the last eighteen hours researching this problem with some trackpad buttons on new aluminum powerbooks, I compiled quite a few references to other people's problem reports, and provided a range of descriptions of the problems gleaned from those reports at this blog posting: http://www.acmetech.com/blog/2005/12/12/powerbook-aluminum-trackpad-button-problems/
I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has experienced these problems with their trackpad button and gotten it fixed from apple. I'm afraid of losing my machine for four+ days only to find when it's returned that the problem still exists (it's happened to me several times over the years with apple repairs...). If you've gotten your button repaired satisfactorily, please post here or leave a comment at the URL above.
Powerbook G4 15" 1.67GHz DualLayer SD Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1.5GB Ram
|
|
Posts:
4
Registered:
Dec 11, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: trackpad problems on new PB G4 (dual-layer SuperDrive)
Posted:
Dec 13, 2005 7:46 AM
in response to: odysseus
|
|
|
Same exact problem. I was kind of afraid some sort of sticky goo might have gotten in there, but i cannot recall spilling anything on my powerbook. Just made the upgrade to a brand new 15" from my trusty 12", and apart from this and the keyboard feeling somewhat less solid than the 12", i am very happy.
The trackpad button works fine, but it has a shallow, mute click range. When i press down hard it goes all the way in, but with a horrid crunchy sound. Feels broken or like it would if you spilled cola on it or something.
Very glad that theres a bunch of us that have the same problem. Fortified with this info, ill go confront my computer dealer tomorrow. Let's hope that service is snappy. Cannot live without the PB.
I would very much like to hear if anyone has gotten this problem fixed and if so, does the trackpad button behave better now.
Powerbook 15 inch
Mac OS X (10.4.3)
|
|
Posts:
10
Registered:
Dec 11, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: trackpad problems on new PB G4 (dual-layer SuperDrive)
Posted:
Dec 14, 2005 10:20 PM
in response to: odysseus
|
|
|
Follow-up on my previous posts to this thread: I orderd a 15" Powerbook last week, it arrived with a dead, non-charging battery and a defective trackpad button. After constant daily pressure applied to Apple and the mail-order retailer I purchased from, I got the machine declared DOA by Apple and the retailer was then able to send out a replacement which arrived this afternoon. I'm just getting data transferred from last week's bum machine onto the new arrival now, and typing on my familar G4 Titanium with the two broken LCD hinges.
The trackpad button on today's delivery seems to function much better than the the unit I have to return tomorrow. However, now that I'm back on the Titanium, it's my opinion that the button on those old machines is so much superior to these new PowerBooks' buttons. The Titanium trackpad button is crisp, decisive and limber. It clicks down easily and doesn't take undo effort to hold it there. In contrast, I find the new PowerBooks' buttons (based on my experience with two such models) overly stiff and lacking that definite experience of being depressed or raised that the Ti has. I know I'll grow used to it, but being able to compare the two next to one another right now, the Ti's is night and day different and better.
On the positive side, I like the two-finger scrolling.
Meanwhile, the new machine also has a dead, non-charging battery like the DOA box. Something missing in Apple quality control these days? Or am I just the lucky one here?
Powerbook G4 15" 1.67GHz DualLayer SD
Mac OS X (10.4.3)
1.5GB Ram
|
|
Posts:
16
From:
el.mi
Registered:
Aug 22, 2004
|
|
|
|
any news on trackpad button?
Posted:
Feb 23, 2006 1:46 PM
in response to: wkw
|
|
|
Any recent developments on this issue? My trackpad button is dying a quick death, and I'd also prefer not to lose my PB for 4+ days to AppleCare. Like hope, denial springs eternal.
(Also following the acmetech blog - thanks for posting that!)
PB15 1.25 GHz G4
Mac OS X (10.4.5)
|
|
|
