MacBook Trackpad moving/clicking involuntarily

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Level 1

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MacBook Trackpad moving/clicking involuntarily

Ok... for the longest while my mouse pointer has been in and out of my control. More often than not the pointer just moves on its own and sometimes clicks stuff. it even zooms in and out on pages. while this happens i am unable to control it (most times) with my finger.
I'm not sure if its a software update problem or a hardware issue. PLEASE HELP.
Its almost impossible to operate my computer when this happens and i've been forced to purchase an external mouse which i don't always carry with me.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP...

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 8, 2011 8:35 PM

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Answer 1

Lyssa

Level 8

41,327 points

Jan 8, 2011 10:18 PM in response to AlexHolder

Hi AlexHolder & welcome to the forums.

Does your MacBook have a removable battery? If so, save your work, connect the power adapter & remove the battery. Does the trackpad behave normally now?

If the trackpad behaves normally with the battery removed, this means your battery has swollen and needs to be replaced. If the machine is under warranty, you may be able to get a free replacement.

~Lyssa

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Answer 2

AlexHolder Author

Level 1

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Jan 8, 2011 11:04 PM in response to Lyssa

unfortunately NO. I have the new unibody MacBook. are there any other possible causes for my problem?

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Answer 3

Lyssa

Level 8

41,327 points

Jan 8, 2011 11:15 PM in response to AlexHolder

Hmm. I expect the same issue could be present in the unibody machines.

In System Preferences under Trackpad, do you have "Ignore accidental trackpad input" checked?

If so, it's time to bring the machine to an Apple store and ask the folks there to take a look as this is most likely a hardware issue that needs to be addressed.

~Lyssa

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Answer 4

AlexHolder Author

Level 1

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Jan 8, 2011 11:40 PM in response to Lyssa

I don't see that option when I access the mouse settings in my system preferences. I ran a hardware diagnosis and the computer found all to be in order. I'm in the British Virgin Islands and sadly we don't have an apple store here. I usually take good care of my computer in order to keep hardware issues to a minimal.
Is there a way i can simply uninstall the software for the Trackpad and install it again?

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Answer 5

Lyssa

Level 8

41,327 points

Jan 9, 2011 5:00 PM in response to AlexHolder

The option may not be available in Snow Leopard--I don't have a machine here I can use to check that.

Have you tried another user account?

As for reinstalling software, what you can do is just reinstall Snow Leopard over itself. Reinstalling the OS won't touch your data--it will just replace system files. I would reinstall Snow Leopard, then check performance of the trackpad before applying any updates.

~Lyssa

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