Level 1

11 points

Unresponsive Keyboard and Trackpad problem FIXED/RESOLVED

I've been dealing with this issue since early December myself.
I purchased the MBP in November and had nearly a month with out any issues.

I spent nearly two hours on the phone with Apple Care via a specialist trying to diagnose the problem yesterday.
He did mention that they believe neither the 10.5.1 update or the MBP 1.1 update were to blame for occurrence of this issue. (I remain slightly skeptical)

Let me give you a short rundown of my problems and what I've done to help resolve the issue. Hopefully it'll help some of you.. or help me (with some of everyone else insight) if it happens again.

The symptoms:
keyboard and trackpad become unresponsive.
The problem is intermittent but often is completely unresponsive at start up.
USB mouse and keyboards have full functionality.

Kernel panics often occur as well. Usually this occurs just after the keyboard and track pad experience extreme intermittent "on and off" periods.
The only option is to do a hard-restart which my or may not resolve the unresponsiveness.

Things I've addressed in my particular case:

1. The battery recall issue - my battery (6N745288YFTA) is OK.
2. Resetting the PMU - no change.
3. Re-installing both the 10.5.1 and MBP 1.1 updates - no effect.
4. pressing the Function + S key at start up and running /sbin/fsck -fy The HD is said to be OK
5. I just finished an Archive and reinstall of Leopard = this seems to have fixed the issue for the moment. I have not run the Updater to bring the OS back to it's fully updated form yet.

The Archive and Re-install DID NOT WORK.
Even upon downloading and installing the 10.5.1 and 1.1 update, I'm still back at square one.

I've also been experiencing these phantom keystrokes to the eject key and backlight myself lately.

I've resolved to wait for the 10.5.2 official release to see of that helps... If not then I'll break down and send my machine in for service.

_____________________________________
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP31.0070.B05
SMC Version: 1.16f10
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled

THE SOLUTION:

This is a HARDWARE problem!

After playing around with removing the battery and noticing that this often returned functionality to the keyboard I surmised that this had some sort of physical aspect.
Sure enough, there is a section of copper colored tape/wiring exposed in the batter slot that is slightly bowed where it's smallest.
When I depressed this with my finger tip on this portion to basically flatten it out flush against the housing; I found that all functionality was restored!

You can see the portion in the picture below.

I haven’t had any problems AT ALL since I took a piece of napkin and taped it down to sustain pressure on this portion of bowed tape/wiring.

I have yet to call AppleCare to see what they suggest I do.
I will post a reply here when I hear their suggestion.

Mac Book Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.1), 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 MHz SDRAM

Posted on Jan 27, 2008 3:18 PM

382 replies

khosh

Level 1

0 points

Mar 30, 2010 11:11 PM in response to Steve Eugene

I've had the same problem with my Macbook aluminium (late 2008). Trackpad and keyboard stop working. I've tried 10.5, 10.6, 10.6.2 and 10.6.3 but it's the same. The Origami fix probably won't work since the macbook doesn't have the copper wire under the battery. I still gave it a shot, but no difference.

Writing this is actually the first time the keyboard and trackpad have started working again without a reboot. They went dead about 15 minutes ago but are now responsive.

This is really a pain. Apples support pages talk about improper grounding, but I've tried using the Macbook with the power cable attached and battery in, only battery and only the power cable. Still the same result. The keyboard and trackpad never go dead in the middle of writing or using the trackpad. It's always after I haven't touched it for a while.

I've considered installing Windows 7 to see if the problem persists there as well. That should determine if it's a hardware or software error.

KD-ATL

Level 1

0 points

Apr 2, 2010 2:06 PM in response to Steve Eugene

Had the same problem with my MacBook1,1. The track pad and keyboard would freeze up after the computer went to sleep. It started to occur after I had the top case replaced by Apple. I removed the battery and pushed down on the exposed gold ribbon that is toward the middle of the battery cavity. No problems since. Glad I didn't reinstall the OS which is what the Genius Bar recommended.

Apr 13, 2010 2:40 PM in response to Breadfan99

Hello, first time poster. I bring yet another story of a mbp freezing, I've tried pretty much all the tricks I've read here and elsewhere and I still have a partially working computer.

I have an early 08 that I bought in February 08, a couple months later it started to freeze, keyboard and trackpad, at the time I had to hold the power button to shut it down, power it back on and I would get a working computer again. This kept happening so in March/April of 09 I went to the Apple store, for reasons beyond my control they weren't able to even begin working with it for 7 days and I needed to finish and defend my thesis so I went back for it.

Once I finished school I took it in again in May of 09 for faulty super drive and the freezing problem, they had it for about 7-10 days and when I got it back I was told the problem was fixed.

I started to experience the problem again sometime in July, by that time I was living outside the US and no Apple Store in sight. I decided to put up with the problem for another month or so, at which time I would have Snow Leopard and maybe this was a software problem after all. I did a clean install in September of 09, and got the problem again by October. By January of this year this thing was just frustrating, freezing every few hours, sometimes a couple times in an hour. The solution, I discovered, was not to just power it down, but I could either use an external mouse and keyboard (external works fine) to put the computer to sleep or just close the lid to make this happen, then wake it up and resume my work. Not really a solution of course.

I emailed Apple about this issue and a case number was created. We went though a lot of phone calls, removing things and trying to figure out what as causing the problem. Eventually they told me to reinstall SL on top of the current installation, I did and it didn't work. They told me to do a fresh install, I did and this also failed. We settled on me taking the computer back to an Apple Store whenever I had the chance. I did two weeks ago. At the store, the genius told me that most likely they would replace the top cover.

Last week I got an email saying to call them up. I did, and they basically told me that my computer was in perfect shape, nothing wrong it so naturally nothing was replaced. Disappointed, I went to pick up my computer. Came back home, did another fresh install of SL, did the upgrade to 10.6.3... and right now, in the middle of writing this, I got a trackpad and keyboard freeze.

So basically, Apple will not even acknowledge that there is a problem, at least in my case. I've seen some download for 2007 models regarding this issue but nothing for 08 models and on. It obviously happens to other people as well, seeing this thread alone. In the end, I keep using my macbook pro but only on my free time when I want to check email and things of that nature. It has become impossible to depend on it for work related tasks. I don't know what I'm going to do with it. I can't sell a "sometimes-working" computer. Just sharing my story.

akcelia

Level 1

0 points

Apr 16, 2010 8:10 PM in response to Steve Eugene

I have had the same problems, with trackpad and keyboard replaced twice by Apple. Very nice and hopeful phone calls with Apple, but have spent so many hours on this topic, and see that there is such a history about it, that it is surprising that it seems so unusual when I tell it to a tech on the phone. It froze up right away on return of my computer the second time. Sooooo frustrating, and the warrenty will be up soon. Without the issue resolved. How can I still love this Mac? My husband is considering transferring from the PC world, but I am suggesting he wait. We both own Toyotas also. Oh, dear!

Apr 17, 2010 7:44 AM in response to akcelia

my keyboard stopped working a few days ago, and now has decided to link together the number keys 1-9 with the letter keys directly beneath and to the right of them Q-P so that typing "y" types "y6", "u" types "u7"..... anyone able to help me its so frustrating ive done the ribbon pressing, paper-taping, erasing HD and reinstalling snow leopard 10.6... still persists! MY EYES ARE BLOODSHOT FROM HOUR UPON HOUR OF WEB-CRAWLING THROUGH THIS ENDLESS TOPIC ON COUNTLESS SITES, HELK ME PLEASE!

Apr 18, 2010 4:34 PM in response to c.hubbard5

ok.. so.. diagnosis...
It hasn't happened under Windows 7. I've been using the system for about 2 days and zero freezing problems under Windows 7. Could this be software related instead of hardware? Maybe the way mac os x checks for something.. I don't know. I'm still with a very fresh and very clean install of 10.6 and I just updated to 10.6.3. Freezing still occurs on the mac side, but like I've said, no freezings to far using Windows 7.

Apr 20, 2010 11:41 PM in response to Steve Eugene

I tried just pressing the ribbon down and it worked for about a week without incident. Ironically, it acted up again as I typed this post. Had to restart. I'm going to buy some anti-static tap and try that method.

Also, I noticed that the keyboard acts up as the computer heats up. SMC Fan Control (set at a higher RPM) keeps the computer cooler and seems to buy me more time.

Apr 23, 2010 7:20 AM in response to Steve Eugene

Add me to the list. My problems started a couple of weeks ago. Keyboard and trackpad unresponsive at start up. Powering off, then back on worked sometimes. Now both are completely dead. External USB peripherals work just fine. Can't remember what year I purchased my Macbook, but it's one of the first Santa Rosa Core 2 Duos, I believe. Software is up to date. The tape on the cable thing doesn't do anything for me. I don't want to spend $300 to fix this, but I need this laptop, and I don't want to lug a mouse and keyboard to use it. Very sad.

aldo007

Level 1

0 points

Apr 23, 2010 5:43 PM in response to electrogruve

You don't know when you purchased your computer, and you aren't sure if your software is up to date? That's pretty lame, but I feel for you.

My experience is similar to the others. We have a mid 2008 Macbook Pro, and it started acting up about a year ago. It started with the trackpad freezing, and culminated last month in the keyboard going crazy. An apple tech ran diagnostics, and it came back clean. So I took the machine home and found this thread. I then booked an appointment with the Genius Bar, and showed them this thread with print outs, and they took the machine into the back, and we all agreed to use the non static tape. The guy cracked open the back right there, slapped some tape on and it's been perfect ever since. IMO it is a flawed design which they will never admit, and our computers are of a certain age now that the problems will only amplify. The other thing we do now, is never pick it up in the MIDDLE.

aldo007

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2010 9:31 PM in response to Carlos*usmx

Carlos, they put the tape right over the wire bundle just like the opening post. I have to report, as of tonight, the fix is off. It acted up after about 5 hours of steady use, and my wife used it tonight on her lap, with her leg right under the battery and it did the grey, dark grey, black, dark black shut down.

We restarted and it was fine. Poor design, end of story.

We:
* pick it up from the edges
* have the edges supported on our laps
* try not to overheat it by prolonged use

I refuse to spend $450 on a piece of crap that will only give me the same problem in another 6 months. We will use this until it fails, the re assess our position. The new unibody design seems stronger than our "oil can" cases, so they might no suffer from this issue. But I can tell you 2 things, if we get another mac lap top we will do more research, and we will definitely spring for apple care. I am an architect and switched my entire office to the mac platform, and I can tell you I am soured on the hardware. It would've been nice to see apple step up, but at this late date you can forget about it. They simply hope you, and I, will upgrade. Even a small gesture on their part would be appreciated, but again that won't happen. And for some reason, Steve Jobs did not return my email. I love apple for design, function and beauty and this machine for me, and my wife, has been a let down. Some of the shine has come off the apple.

Apr 29, 2010 5:13 PM in response to Steve Eugene

Ever since updating Flash to the "Gala preview release" I no longer have this problem. It's been a whole day without trackpad or keyboard problems.. which is actually a long time

http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flashplayer10.html#gala

Apr 29, 2010 6:32 PM in response to Josh Hinton

Funny you mention that. I always get a few files in my recycle bin after a reboot following a freeze. Check the image to see the contents.
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2006/capturadepantalla201004bo.png

Apr 30, 2010 11:58 AM in response to Josh Hinton

I uninstalled all previous versions of Flash and then installed the Gala Preview. Had it on for 5 hours without a problem. Prior to this move, my keyboard would have acted up within an hour. I hope this solution sticks. Thanks!

iRuney

Level 2

209 points

Apr 30, 2010 6:58 PM in response to Steve Eugene

Apple replaced my logic board and keyboard / trackpad components, and that permanently fixed the issue for me. I read that this behaviour can cause permanent circuitry damage, so I'd suggest my solution over a band aid.

achecht

Level 1

0 points

May 2, 2010 3:55 AM in response to Josh Hinton

Thanks, Josh.

This worked for me so far (getting the gala preview release of flash). Like Josh, it's only been a day, but I was getting the freeze at least once or twice an hour before I updated flash. So I'm very optimistic. It also would explain why reinstalling Snow Leopard worked for some as I believe the SN install reverts to an earlier version of flash.

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Unresponsive Keyboard and Trackpad problem FIXED/RESOLVED