Bliss your Soul

Q: Mac Book Pro (PowerPC NOT Intel) doesn't respond to the mouse ...

Hi, my 10 years old MacBook Pro (without Intel) doesn't respond anymore to the commands of the mouse or mouse track ... The arrow moves around but when I click none of the applications respond, can't get to System Preferences or anything else. Don't have a OS 10.4 Tiger CD to reinstall the software.

 

Any ideas out there on how to solve this problem? Any good advise would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Posted on May 20, 2015 1:11 PM

Close

Q: Mac Book Pro (PowerPC NOT Intel) doesn't respond to the mouse ...

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 May 20, 2015 2:35 PM in response to Bliss your Soul
    Level 8 (48,831 points)
    May 20, 2015 2:35 PM in response to Bliss your Soul

    Try resetting the SMU:

     

    How to Reset the SMU

    The SMU (System Management Unit) is a microcontroller chip on the logic board that controls all power functions for your computer. If your computer is experiencing any power issue, resetting the SMU may resolve it. The SMU controls several functions, including:

    • Telling the computer when to turn on, turn off, sleep, wake, idle, and so on.
    • Handling system resets from various commands.
    • Controlling the fans.

     

    This article applies to the iMac G5, the iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor), and the iMac G5 (iSight) but should also work with yours.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1767

  • by Bliss your Soul,

    Bliss your Soul Bliss your Soul May 20, 2015 3:59 PM in response to Klaus1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 20, 2015 3:59 PM in response to Klaus1

    Thank you Klaus, but it didn't solve the problem ... still no program, file, app, responds to the track pad/mouse clicks, so I can't get to anywhere in the computer. Don't have a CD of the OS 10.4 Tiger which is installed on my MacBook Pro laptop. Any other ideas?

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 May 20, 2015 4:17 PM in response to Bliss your Soul
    Level 8 (48,831 points)
    May 20, 2015 4:17 PM in response to Bliss your Soul

    Don't recall there ever been a PPC based MacBook Pro. Please confirm what Mac laptop you have.

  • by Bliss your Soul,

    Bliss your Soul Bliss your Soul May 20, 2015 5:48 PM in response to Klaus1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 20, 2015 5:48 PM in response to Klaus1

    I can't open anything on my computer so can't get any information. I bought my PowerBook G4 in 2005, before they installed Intel into them. Upgraded throughout the years to OS 10.4 (Tiger) and couldn't upgrade it anymore as didn't have enough power. I believe I got 1.2 GB HD, 500meg RAM. That's all I remember ... Is there somewhere I can get a CD Installation of Tiger? It didn't come with my computer. But even if I get a CD how will I be able to make it function if my computer doesn't respond? Very frustrating ... Somebody at Apple's Genius Bar told me I could try to install OS 10.5 (Panther?) instead, I will loose everything in my computer (don't mind at this point, also have back ups) but it's not sure it'll work either ...

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos May 20, 2015 5:55 PM in response to Bliss your Soul
    Level 9 (54,036 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 20, 2015 5:55 PM in response to Bliss your Soul

    You have some kind of Powerbook. MacBookPro was only Intel.

     

    Have you tried unplugging the mouse and only using the trackpad?

     

    How about starting in Safe Mode (hold down the shift key while booting the computer)?

     

    Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

     

    What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X) - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564

     

    Safe Boot takes longer than normal startup - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1884

     

    Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5 - Computer shuts down during Safe Boot - http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24054

  • by Bliss your Soul,

    Bliss your Soul Bliss your Soul May 20, 2015 6:31 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 20, 2015 6:31 PM in response to Limnos

    Hi Klaus 1, you are right, I'm writing from a MacBook Pro and got confused, sorry. The problem I'm experiencing is with my old PowerBook G4, which my wife uses for E-mails and Internet only.

     

    I just opened it in Safe Boot Mode, it was slow but at the end opened up, but still the problem persists ... no clickable objects react to the trackpad or mouse if I connect one.  (:

  • by mns579,

    mns579 mns579 May 21, 2015 12:46 PM in response to Bliss your Soul
    Level 4 (1,155 points)
    May 21, 2015 12:46 PM in response to Bliss your Soul

    Just a guess: Old, swelling battery is pressing on the trackpad mechanism from below and interfering with any kind of mouse input (trackpad or external). Inspect the battery. If it's bulging, it's time to (1) replace battery or (2) run it without a battery, always plugged into adapter.

  • by Bliss your Soul,

    Bliss your Soul Bliss your Soul May 21, 2015 7:08 PM in response to mns579
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 21, 2015 7:08 PM in response to mns579

    Thank you for your suggestion, I tried it but didn't work ... My old PowerBook G4 laptop (PowerPC without Intel) doesn't want to respond to the clicks of the Trackpad or the Mouse. Tried on Safe boot mode, but still can't make it work. Even if I get a CD with OS 10.4 Tiger, I would not be able to give the CD any instructions. Tried to get to System Preferences or Disk Utility through some Keyboard Shortcuts but without success as of now. Any other ideas?

     

    Thank you for your help!

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua May 21, 2015 9:58 PM in response to Bliss your Soul
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    May 21, 2015 9:58 PM in response to Bliss your Soul

    Can you connect a USB Mouse to try?