Macbook Keyboard DEAD (not using Leopard)

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Macbook Keyboard DEAD (not using Leopard)

Several weeks ago my keyboard and trackpad stopped responding on my macbook (which is now out of warranty) but the power button still works. I bought a new topcase and installed it thinking this would fix the problem, it didn't. So last night I backed up all my files and reinstalled Leopard hoping that a fresh install would bring the keyboard back to life, this also did not work. Also noteworthy, I only erased and reinstalled the partition on my hdd for leopard and left windows on its little 10GB sector.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Macbook, 2GHZ 512MB Tiger/WinXP

Posted on Jan 18, 2008 7:13 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 18, 2008 10:05 AM in response to BIkesman14

I had the same problem just yesterday. my screen was on sleep and i wanted to turn off my computer. but the keyboard didn't respond and neither did the trackpad. i pushed the power button and it was the only one working. i finally solved it by putting my mac to sleep(i closed the screen) and then i opened it. my keyboard was working... i saw that for those with leopard there's an update. maybe they'll release one for tiger as well.

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Answer 2

Jan 18, 2008 1:14 PM in response to BIkesman14

have you downloaded the keyboard update?

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Answer 3

BIkesman14 Author

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Jan 18, 2008 1:42 PM in response to Angoose McGoose

I have not specifically downloaded the keyboard update; however, i have run the updater severeal times. I would assume that the updater would catch this. Is this incorrect?

The keyboard does not work no matter what. No sleeping/waking; can't shut it down and bring it back up; ive now even reinstalled the OS and still nothing...unless I use an external USB keyboard and mouse.

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Answer 4

Jan 18, 2008 1:49 PM in response to BIkesman14

it didn't show up in the software update because it is not software

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Answer 5

Jan 18, 2008 1:49 PM in response to BIkesman14

here is a link:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macbookmacbookprosoftwareupdate11.html

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Answer 6

BIkesman14 Author

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Jan 18, 2008 1:51 PM in response to Angoose McGoose

Thanks, I will try it when I get home; however I am skeptical because mine is not a temporary problem. So it seems... more later

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Answer 7

BIkesman14 Author

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Jan 20, 2008 9:17 PM in response to BIkesman14

Ok I tried this but it is actually for Leopard. As the post states that is not my case. I tried to use it anyways and it told me it can not open because I am not running 10.5

Ive come to the conclusion that my logic board may be the problem. The keyboard and trackpad are both not recognized by the system profiler.

The only thing listed under my USB bus is Bluetooth.

I ran the Hardware Check and it found no problems. As a reminder I purchased another top case. (keyboard and trackpad) and nothing was resolved.

Can anyone back me up on the guess that the logic board is toast?

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Answer 8

y_p_w

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Jan 20, 2008 9:44 PM in response to BIkesman14

I'm thinking maybe a loose connector. The keyboard and trackpad are considered a single USB device in System Profiler, and I'd think they share the same internal USB connector.

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Answer 9

BIkesman14 Author

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Jan 20, 2008 9:54 PM in response to y_p_w

Correct, they share a connector. Im looking at it right now; however, do not think it is a loose connector unless the solder joints are loose.

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Answer 10

Jan 23, 2008 1:06 PM in response to BIkesman14

my macbook keyboard just went out today too (I am using wireless keyboard to type this). It seems that this problem is affecting both Tiger and Leopard users. Some suggest reesetting the PRAM and SMC but this has not worked for me. I hope Apple comes up with a solution soon.

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Answer 11

Mar 15, 2008 9:46 PM in response to bendicott

Have either of you determined the cause/fix for this? I"m having the exact same problem (keyboard/trackpad not recognized by system profiler, power button and external usb still works; PRAM & SMC reset, no effect; firmware update doesn't install because keyboard not recognized).

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Answer 12

lorynlyn

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May 26, 2008 6:45 AM in response to BIkesman14

I was having an issue with my computer overheating & turning itself off. I took it to the Apple store, and was told I probably needed a new logic board. Being it was out of warranty, they kept it overnight to see if there was another problem they might be able to fix. Apparently there was a lot of dust in the computer, they cleaned it and thought it was fixed. About a week later my keyboard & track pad died, in addition to the intermittent shut downs continuing. Unfortunately I don't think there is an easy solution to this problem if you are out of warranty.

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