Keyboard/Mousepad Freezes

It might be a coincidence but after reading about plugging in a usb drive and it helping I tried it. I did not have a keyboard lock up for about 2 days, and then when I was going to post here, my keyboard and track pad locked up. So who knows, but figured would share my experince.

Yes, it's definitely a workaround but one that I can live with until Apple fixes the issue. I've had the USB key installed for the past couple of days and still no freezes. No idea what it will take to resolve fully.

The Genius Bar thought that it was most likely a software issue, and said to reinstall the OS. I did that, and it seemed to work, until I restored my files from backup. This suggested that it was some setting I had in my user account -- perhaps an enabled multitouch feature that no longer exists (since the new "trackpad" preference pane was introduced in a point release).

So I logged in via >console as an administrative user and moved my ~/Library/Preferences to ~/Library/Preferences.bak. After logging back in with my user account I copied some of the preference files for my applications to the new ~/Library/Preferences folder. So far, I haven't had the keyboard/trackpad problem. It has been 4 days.

In a previous post I mentioned adding a metal plate under the battery; that was in addition to the new Preferences folder. After reading the other thread Re: some other Apple store saying it was a hardware issue, I was convinced that was it. Maybe it was just this preference file thing though...

If Apple were to Admit that this is a hardware fault due to the design of the Macbook pro, would that open the flood gates of people wanting their macbooks replaced. I cant sell my macbook in its current condition, if i take it to apple store will they fix it? has anyone had apple fix it for them??

Just an update: the errors came back after about 5 days. With or without something between the battery and the exposed circuitry. I'm going to ask Apple to replace the keyboard/mouse panel now. They've already replaced the logic board.

I had same error message showing up in console. About a week ago Apple did a "top case" replacement (keyboard and trackpad) and now everything is back to normal.

It's happpening almost everyday for me now! I've installed some software and it got worse.
Now I'm logging every freeze with console messages. In Korea, where I'm located which
there is no Apple Store, it's hard to get it serviced with this kind of symptoms, let alone replacement.

and drives me nuts!!!

At least I now know what I can do when KB/Mouse Freezes.
- When the freeze happens:
1. Close the MacBookPro
2. Wait till HD spins down
3. And give it a vigorous shake.

It works most of times, for temporarily --;;
So if you must, try this method, before rebooting, people~~

Well, here's how it's gone:
I called AppleCare once, they had me do the reset where you remove the battery and hold down the power button. They told me then that if that didn't work I should try doing an archive install of the OS.

It didn't work. So I tried the archive install. My computer wouldn't read the install discs. They had never been used, but the computer errored out on the verification process everytime. Again I called AppleCare and they sent me replacement discs. Oddly, they sent the two discs separately.

I did the archive install when I received the discs. I was starting to think that it worked, but then I saw incidences where the cursor responded erratically to trackpad input and the eventually the keyboard started locking up. It happened once when I was running Parallels 4.0 and Parallels popped up a window saying it had detected a new USB device. I even had an instance where the keyboard froze but the trackpad still worked.

At this point I called AppleCare again. They sent me a box. I packed up the computer and sent it back to them. Today I received it back. The enclosed letter said they had replaced the Optical Superdrive due to an Optical Drive Read/Write Data Error. They replaced the Keyboard due to Inoperative Key(s), and they replaced the Top Case due to a Trackpad Button Issue.

Both the keyboard and trackpad feel better. Only time will tell if this fixed everything or not.

Well folks. I've been struggling with this issue for a few months now. I get the

Feb 4 10:43:24 Diggers-MacBook-Pro-4 kernel[0]: AppleUSBMultitouchDriver::message - kIOUSBMessagePortHasBeenReset.
Feb 4 11:00:13 Diggers-MacBook-Pro-4 kernel[0]: AppleUSBMultitouchDriver::message - kIOUSBMessagePortHasBeenReset.
Feb 4 11:54:14 Diggers-MacBook-Pro-4 kernel[0]: AppleUSBMultitouchDriver::message - kIOUSBMessagePortHasBeenReset.

and accompanying Keyboard and Trackpad hang. This happens irrespective of what apps I'm running, whether I have anything plugged into the USB ports or not, in fact there doesn't appear to be any correlation to the cause of the issue.

I've spoken to Applecare, they referred me to my local geniusbar. So I duly trekked down there and they took my MBP in for a couple of weeks. It came back with a new MLB (main logic board) and of I trotted, happy that my problem was duly fixed.

And so it seemed. I use my mbp for work and it played happily for the first day.
Day 2 however and the symptoms returned. As you can see from the log entry above, i've been impacted today - twice already, so i'll be going back to the geniusbar. At the moment as a full on work machine, imo, my mbp is not fit for purpose.

First mac, was greatly impressed at first. And still love it when it works, but this is bugging me greatly!

Well I've had the same problem for months. I also went to the Genius Bar, and they replaced the keyboard and trackpad hardware. Since then the problem has been less frequent but my keyboard and trackpad locked up during a presentation, and it was appalling. The folks around me said "that's unusual for a Mac!"

Anyway I am writing to see if your second visit to the Genius Bar produced anything more helpful. My nearest Apple Store is rather far so I want to see if Apple has come out with a solution before I trek down there again for naught. Any news mate?

Not quite yet; I dropped it off at the Apple Store (also far for me), and they left a message saying that they've ordered a new top case for it. It's discouraging to hear that even after your hardware replacement, the problem remained. Time to demand another model?

Thought it would be useful if I entered the frequency count for this problem. My keyboard and trackpad are now completely frozen. The forced power down and restarting do not help. I can connect a USB mouse and keyboard to make it work, but that defeats the purpose since I work on planes, trains, and make presentations on the road. The Apple Store in Holyoke, Mass. has done hardware diagnostics - no problems found. They did install a new version of the AOL browser, did not help. I put a USB Key in the left side, nothing. Haven't tried the metal strip under the battery that someone mentioned. I have asked the Genius Bar at the Holyoke store to read all of your posts, including the logs. Thanks for validating that this is a serious problem and updating us on what does not work. Your posts should help the Apple Store eliminate options that have not worked. Please keep those posts coming. And of course, if I have any success I will return the favor.
Ciao,
George Forman
Videatives, Inc.
www.videatives.com

GEBoxer,

Did you by chance install Apple's Built-In Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0?

Well I contacted Apple again, and they said replacing the keyboard and trackpad hardware was not enough and they need to change the entire logic board. I have my doubts that they will fix this problem considering your experience.

I also told them about the dozens of posts on this forum.

If this second round of hardware replacements still doesn't repair the issue I see no option other than getting a new machine. What are my rights to demand a new machine???

Message was edited by: ghuliani