Magic Trackpad Erratic Movement

Just bought and installed Magic Trackpad on my iMac. Paired the trackpad, installed the software with Software Update. But then the cursor movement has been erratic. The cursor jumps on the screen randomly and "taps" itself. Fortunately I can still use my Magic Mouse so I have to disconnect the trackpad.

Anyone with a similar experience? Any solution?

Unibody MacBook Pro 2.53GHz/iMac Core2Duo 2.66GHz/iPhone 3Gs 32GB, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jul 31, 2010 7:33 AM

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141 replies

Sep 16, 2010 6:01 AM in response to Rob Bonner

No, I don't use Time Machine, but I do have both Macs connecting to the router wirelessly. Next time it happens I am going to make a point in checking to see if the iMac is maybe downloading something.

What's really weird about this MT is that it works 100% on the MacBook, but when I try it on the iMac it freezes up if I touch it with 3 or more fingers. So today I bought a new Bluetooth dongle, put it on the underside of my iMac keyboard and it began working perfectly. Yay! for about 5 minutes because as soon as I connected up the BT Mighty Mouse to the MacBook it started the 3 finger freeze again. Reverse the installations and everything is fine again, barring the occasional erratic tracking of the MT.

I have all the updates installed on both machines. Weeeeeird.

Sep 26, 2010 12:03 AM in response to GregVS

Let me just throw my hat in to record that I too, have the erratic trackpad pointer problem that is becoming too frequent to ignore. Can't for the life of me figure out what's causing it and Apple's KB article is of absolutely no help.

I can only hope they post a software update repair for this soon, or I'm going back to using corded mice. Just can't believe Apple would release something like this without proper testing.

Oct 1, 2010 7:30 AM in response to dunia_td

So far on my system it is 100%, the cursor goes wonky when time machine is backing up. So, thinking it has something to do with bandwidth in some area. Either the computer is overloaded in some way, or since the BT and networking cards are very close together inside the macbook pro, it might be interference.

I will be plugging in to the network today to see if that makes a difference.

Oct 3, 2010 1:55 AM in response to Colin Lai

I suspect it has something to do with the bluetooth transmitter hardware in the trackpad itself. The Apple bluetooth keyboard works fine.

The erratic nature of the trackpad cursor has deteriorated significantly. While the cursor flits around the screen randomly, it has now started to click on open programs, even sending an email that I was preparing midway. This is simply unacceptable on the part of Apple and I really hope they come up with a fix for it before I start losing more than the money I already spent on this piece of expletive by clicking on a "pay now" button while doing its round the screen world tour on my Mac.

Oct 3, 2010 2:38 AM in response to Colin Lai

I have just bought the Magic TrackPad for my Macbook 13" (mid 2010) and have experienced the problem. There are 2 things that seems to provoke the problem:

1) When the lid is closed on the Macbook it comes almost instantly. The lid is closed because I use an external screen.
2) When TimeMachine is backing up. I dont use the official TimeMachine, but the Synology solution - but same principals.

For issue #1 I simply open the lid which is quite annoying, as I have a bracket of the Macbook to hang in.
For issue #2 I dont use the TrackPad when its backing up.

I have just ordered a Asus BT211 USB mini bluetooth adaptor to see if that fixes the issue.

Just wanted to give my 5 cents the problem.

Oct 4, 2010 3:39 AM in response to Rob Bonner

Brand new MacBook Pro 13' used in two locations with one Magic Trackpad in each locations. I have a Time Capsule in one of the two offices.

Erratic movement with Time Capsule and while backup in progress. I have tried to put the Time Capsule away from the computer / trackpad for fear of interferences but did not solve the problem.

Have to use wired mouse while back-up in progress. Hope a fix will come soon as Magic Trackpad is truly awesome when it works 🙂

Oct 7, 2010 8:40 AM in response to Hecro

I just installed a Belkin Mini Bluetooth USB Adapter to around $10 - 100% solved the problems I have been having with the eractic movements on the Magic Trackpad.

I wouldn't really called it a solution as its now taking up 1 of the 2 USB ports, but its a good temporary solution until Apple comes with something.

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Magic Trackpad Erratic Movement

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