Macbook Pro keyboard works but doesn't let me type?

Question

Macbook Pro keyboard works but doesn't let me type?

So I recently purchased a new 17 inch MacBook Pro in December and everything seems to be working fine last night when I was using it. All of a sudden my keyboard stops working and won't let me type a thing! My trackpad was still working too however when I start clicking on items it's as if I was right clicking and not just "normal" clicking as you usually would on a MacBook. So I did a hard shut down thinking that would end all my problems... however when I tried to type in my password to get in it wouldn't let me! My keyboard still functions however it just won't let me type anything in to the password section. When ever I try to do so it'll make a little beeping noise and that's that. Only certain keys will make that beeping noise however the other keys I noticed like my M key won't make a noise but won't display in the password section either. Any ideas or suggestions on what I should do? The track pad still works fine by the way.

MC226LL/A, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Feb 10, 2010 8:41 AM

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Answer 1

kmsavoia

Level 1

9 points

Mar 7, 2010 3:54 AM in response to Andrew Wolczyk

Hello from Italy and I hope you can help me with my problem. I sign in on my MacPro, then the keyboard stops allowing me to type. When I press the keys, they make a sound like as if they are locked. What on earth is happening and how do I fix this?

sincerely & gratefully
KMSavoia

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Answer 2

Feb 10, 2010 8:51 AM in response to huntercrombie

You want to put in your system disk and boot from that if you can. As you will need to hold the C or Option key to do this, I don't know how successful you will be. If you are successful, use disk utility to repair permissions & the hard disk. If the KB is not working from the disk, it likely a hardware failure.

Do you happen to have a USB keyboard handy?

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Answer 3

Feb 10, 2010 9:02 AM in response to Andrew Wolczyk

I have no idea on how to boot from my system disk. I tried pressing down C and the option key during startup when the apple logo appears however nothing happens. It still starts up just like any other normal start up. Unfortunately I do not have a usb keyboard handy. Any other suggestions?

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Answer 4

Feb 10, 2010 10:07 AM in response to huntercrombie

As I suspected, the keys aren't registering to allow you to boot from a CD or switch the startup disk. I am going to assume that you wont be able to reset the pram or do an SMC reset either. You can try anyway...

PRAM reset

hold Option + Command + P + R and press the power button. Hold those keys until you hear the startup chime at least 2 times.

SMC Reset

Shut down the computer.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Safe boot

Hold the shift key whilst rebooting.

You can try these three things, but I'm leaning towards a hardware failure on this as it seems the KB is not functioning even prior to the OS loading.

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Answer 5

Feb 10, 2010 4:57 PM in response to Andrew Wolczyk

Tried all 3 things both you and the apple representative had suggested and still no luck what so ever. The apple representative made a reservation for me at the genius bar at my local apple store and I'm anticipating the same results if not a large bill to repair whatever has been damaged to my macbook. Although my macbook pro is still in it's 1 year limited warranty status I'm wondering if it is a hardware failure, will I have to pay Apple to repair my macbook or if they'll cover it seeing as my macbook just decided to stop working all of a sudden.

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Answer 6

Feb 10, 2010 5:57 PM in response to huntercrombie

If it is still under its one year warranty, you won't have to pay a cent.

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