Unresponsive Keyboard and Trackpad problem FIXED/RESOLVED

Thanks for the fix!

I've had exactly the same problem with my mbk pro, got the keyboard and top case replaced and now its as good as new!

HELLO ALL
I'm having a similar problem and posted this recently. My Keyboard never dies completely but just goes unresponsive for a little bit. I hope to try this fix tomorrow.

+ Both Paralles and Boot Camp are searching for something.+
+Posted: Aug 20, 2008 6:47 PM +
+ Reply Email+

Hello
+I have both a Paralles virtual file and a separate XP Pro sp2 partition on Boot camp. I use the Boot camp side only to play games and the Paralles for a couple of other programs. Recently While in boot camp playing Call of Duty 4 the touchpad would lock up for a few seconds and I'd hear a beep in the background like I just added a new piece of hardware. A few seconds later it would beep again. After a little while it would happen again. Each time the touchpad and keyboard would freeze but only for a few seconds. After this happens, the touchpad will be less responsive afterwards.+
+When I'm on the Mac side everything seems to run fine but when I open the paralles windows it works and nothing locks up but this pharse will pop up,+

+"You are trying to connect USB HID device to the virtual machine. The device connected to the virtual machine will be inaccessible in Mac OS X until it is disconnected from the virtual machine or until the virtual machine is stopped or suspended. If you connect your primary keyboard or mouse to the virtual machine, it will be impossible to use them in Mac OS X.+

+Do you want to connect this USB HID device to the virtual machine?"+

+If I say "yes" to that, the keyboard will become unusable on the Mac side. Up until recently All these versions were running fine. I should also mention that I don't have to be playing a game on Boot camp for the problem to occur. Also I don't know if its always been this way but the internal DVD drive shows up on Boot camp as an external option.+

+I think the problem is some hardware in the Mac.+

+Thanks for reading this.+

+MBP 15 " Mac OS X (10.5.4) 2.4 hz 2 gig ram+

My "folded napkin" trick eventually stopped working a couple of weeks ago. This was right before a trip, so I brought along a keyboard and mouse which I ended up needing.

Back from said trip, I called Applecare this morning. The first thing the technician said to do was to take out the battery and power cord and then hold down the power button for 10 seconds. Replace battery and power cord, attach the external keyboard, then turn on and immediately hold down
[option] + [command] + p + r. it should quickly restart again, at which point you can release the keys.

I think the technician said this resets the "peripheral ram" (??).

This actually worked, although I'm not convinced it wasn't a coincidence.

I haven't read through all 5 pages of this thread so this advice may have been given before, but thought it would be worth a mention again.

I started having the intermittent trackpad/keyboard unresponsive problem a week ago, last night they quit working altogether, my MBP was unusable except with mouse and external keyboard. I found your post via a Google search (oddly nothing came up when i searched Apple support forums). I popped the battery out, saw the bow you mentioned, taped it down with some paper in between for added pressure, replaced the battery and restarted a completely functional computer! Thanks so much!

My MBP is 2 months out of AppleCare (I missed my chance to extend by a couple days :^( but I think I'll drop by an Apple store next week to see if there is anything they can do to permanently address the problem that won't cost an arm and leg.

Did I say thanks? Such a simple little thing, yet completely awesome.

Ok, I have the same ELP issue but its not related to hardware. Go figure. This issue occurs after I've been away from my machine for at least 5 minutes. The first letter I type on ANY keyboard (USB, Bluetooth, and laptop keyboard) is missing. Didn't Apple release a patch for this issue months ago?

very nice this!
i got a big scare yesterday

espacially because my macbook already got hit by a bookcase
the screen cracked, apple said no to repair because it was my own fault
which i also understand (a very little bit)
i changed the LCD myself
and yesterday all of a sudden my keyboard stopped!!
this at least has got it going again
thanks!

you are a genius.
THANK YOU!

I had the Unresponsive Keyboard and Trackpad again, AFTER a repair by apple a few months ago. D*mn! they replaced some hardware, at then the problem was solved..!

it occurred to me that i was downloading and copying a lot again, and my MBP was feeling pretty hot.
starting up first didnt help, after the second time the problem seems to be solved.. i had to put the batt out, disconnecting from power, then pressing the powerbutton for a second or two.. and letting it cool down several minutes.. and it is OK for now.
I'll keep you posted when it happens again.. it is still very weird..

Tip; use your external mouse and keyboard to save your work. (ae bluetooth keyboard/mouse)

Hint; run app; Applications/Utlilities/System Profiler, and select usb, open all triangles, you won't see your "Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad" there, where they should be when both are working.
gr TOM

..and it DID happen again.. and i still don't know why.
and the piece of paper seems to solve this again for now.. so, thanx for the second time!
i'm still hoping for a permanent solution..
gr TOM

PROBABLY A SOLUTION. Same problem, my trackpad and keyboard used to freeze 3 to 4 times every day. I think I found a solution that is working for me. If you take the battery out you will see the connectors for the keyboard and the trackpad. It seems like there is a hardware problem with these connections which do not work properly due to warming conditions coming from the battery or there is some kind of contact between these connections and the battery due to the connections are a little loose. So I placed a plastic film between the battery and these connectors and the problem disappeared for 2 days now. In my case I used one of those films used to protect ipod screed from scratches.

Had this exact problem: keyboard + trackpad unresponsive. USB mouse and keyboard work fine.

I rolled up a sticky note and placed it over the ribbon cable, works fine now. Also, putting the MBP to sleep then pressing on the cable wakes it, and restores the functionality to the keyboard and trackpad.

AMAZING. I am downright shocked that this is a hardware problem. Oh well.

Problem solved!

Thank you ''mr. Problem-Solver''
Wondoring why Apple don't put this under self-help !
Cheers form Denmark 🙂

I agree good "detective work", and I am sincerely happy for all of you MBP owners that this has resolved this "locking up issue". However, ever since I have installed Leopard OS I have experienced the same problem. My Mac Pro locks up several times a day (everyday), in random applications and even when I boot up, as well as, just sitting idle running no applications other than the normal system processes.

I know that there are several others experiencing this on their Mac Pros, the are several discussions on the Internet. The only resolution(s) given are the usual, which do not resolve the issue. Such as,

Re-install Leopard * been there *,

Run on an external HDD and reformatted my Boot HDD and re-installed everything, which was nice cuz I got rid of the kazillion widgets, screen savers, freeware and shareware apps that have been chewing up my HDD anyway * yep *,

OPT CMD+PR to reset PRAM * I am seeing this keyboard combination in my dreams now; I am currently considering training my pet Bulldog (Lacy) to do this... I mean 4-keys, she has 4-paws, looks like a natural combination *,

Repair Permissions * can do this with both hands tied now *,

Run Disk Utilities * Disk Utility App, bought Drive Genius 2 "hummm, some genius" *,

Open up box and cleanup and check all connections * I feel like a MAID these days... no insults intended for any real World Maids out there *,

Would tape battery for PRAM; but Mac Pro doesn't have one * maybe I should open up the box and toss an EverReady in for good measure snicker *,

Updated all Logitech, HP, Lexmark, Canon, Panasonic, Brothers drivers * even though this began happening before I installed any of these Apps in the first place, also, have all the most current APPLE drivers and Application updates *,

Even purchased Net Barrier, Virus Barrier, Personal Anti-Spam * just in case some varmit was able to get past Apple's normal outstanding virus protection *,

Turn off Energy Saver * even though this is not very ecologically prudent, did it anyway, GreenPeace folks will be on me for this I'm sure of it *,

Rebuilt the Desktop * I knew this was a "bottom of the barrel... desperate... solution" * so I did it TWICE *

I also use Parallels for MAC, so I even once cleared the Boot HHD and bypassed placing Parallels on it * nope, couldn't blame it on one of those NASTY Windows XP Applications ... RATS! *

So, basically, I am at a TOTAL LOSS.... I had to jump on to my DELL Latitude to do work so many times now, that I added a Startup .WAV file that first emits the old "Renfield Laugh" then says "WhatsdaproblemStoopid' yer hotshot MAC Pro CRASH Again?" followed by the Renfield Laugh. Did this to teach me a lesson about "bragging about my MAC PRO" and rubbing it into my co-worker's noses cuz they all run PCs at home and not a MAC. It seems to have worked, cuz I haven't "bragged" since I installed Leopard. I hope none of those guys "surf this forum", I haven't told any of em' about my MAC PRO issues.... Pride before the Fall.... *sniff sniff sob*

PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP ME..... I CANNOT EAT "CROW", I HATE EATING WILD GAME........

Steve Eugene!

you're the man! thanks for the help!

I taped a piece of paper (that is folded into a square) on the little metal thing so it doesn't move around. It works fine now.. I hope it stays like that forever.

It just doesn't feel safe / right to do it, but for the convenience of it - I guess I don't have much choice. I hope it doesn't burn or get over heat or anything...

My trackpad was working fine, only a few keys = 8 i k , wasn't working right. the arrow key "left" and "right" is messed up as well.

I am using 10.5.5 and the macbook pro bought in Oct 2007. the old model, not the newest one.


Gordon

This is truly a godsend. Thankyouthankyouthankyou. I'm far and away from civilization, I would have had to wait till january 12 to repair my machine and wait for weeks afterwards.

It's shameful that Apple is having this kind of quality control issues: I have a powerbook titanium that has never required servicing. This machine, although wonderfully fast, has had 3 major problems already: a dead battery after 6 months, this dead keyboard issue and now the new battery is dying on me again. In 21 years using apple products I've never seen anything like this.