When click mouse, doesn't work properly; it draws a rectangle or moves icon...

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Level 1

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When click mouse, doesn't work properly; it draws a rectangle or moves icon...

I have tried 3 different mice (Apple, Kensington and Logitech; 2 with USB connection and onebluetooth) and all malfunction the same way with my MacbookPro. When I click the mouse, it draws a rectangle and then when I move cursor, it just changes size and location of rectangle. When I click on an icon, instead of opening it, it highlights it and moves it around the screen. The mice work fine with another computer so it must be a software problem ??!!

I have tried repairing permissions and have verified disk via Disk Utility but nothing helped. Would appreciate suggestions.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Apr 16, 2011 8:31 PM

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Answer 1

V-Train

Level 2

360 points

Apr 16, 2011 8:33 PM in response to origun

What kind of MBP do you have? Sounds like the trackpad button is stuck.

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Answer 2

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Apr 16, 2011 8:33 PM in response to origun

Hi o,

Open Sys Prefs > Universal Settings and check the settings.

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Answer 3

Apr 16, 2011 8:34 PM in response to origun

Check System Preferences in the Apple Menu and look under trackpad to see if you have "drag lock" turned on. Also check the Mouse system preference pane if there's a similar option turned on.

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Answer 4

origun Author

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Apr 16, 2011 8:49 PM in response to V-Train

If trackbutton is stuck, how is that problem solved? Do I have to take it in to the repair place?

My computer is a 2007 17 inch 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

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Answer 5

origun Author

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Apr 16, 2011 8:53 PM in response to Adrian Sinnott

Adrian, I don't see any "drag lock" option in the System Preferences.

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Answer 6

Apr 16, 2011 8:54 PM in response to origun

You don't have a newer trackpad. Does a restart resolve the issue?

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Answer 7

origun Author

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Apr 16, 2011 9:21 PM in response to Adrian Sinnott

No, Adrian. I have tried restarting several times. Maybe this is relevant: about 3 months ago someone spilled liquid on my keyboard. I took it to an Apple service center and they replaced something inside related to the keyboard but not the keyboard itself or the trackpad. It has had no problems since...until tonight.

Thanks for your suggestions.

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Answer 8

Cytus

Level 1

10 points

Apr 16, 2011 10:19 PM in response to origun

may b there is some key tab is pressing..

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Answer 9

Brillon

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2011 8:16 PM in response to origun

I had the same 17" MacBook Pro and I had the same problem. I would suggest to try and remove the battery and plug it in... if the trackpad works OK, with no sticking, then have a look at that battery I had you take out. Turns out that when I was having a similar problem it was actually caused by the battery. My battery had swollen a little, but it was just enough to push the track pad from underneath.

If you find that the battery is defective, I would bring it into an Apple store. They were very good about replacing mine. And I have not had any problems since.

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Answer 10

origun Author

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Apr 17, 2011 9:10 PM in response to Brillon

Thanks, Brillon, for your efforts. I had hope for a few minutes and tried your suggestion but unfortunately the problem continued when the battery was out. Oh well, you tried! I'm thinking more and more that something happened when fluid was spilled on it in January. At that time the Apple Store replaced a part (for abouy $100!) and said it checked out fine. It has been okay until this weekend.

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Answer 11

wyeknott

Level 1

39 points

Apr 17, 2011 11:38 PM in response to origun

Similar problem just started with my late 2008 15" MBP after it warms up a bit. My left mouse button no longer works (Bluetooth or wired) and track pad no longer clicks. Suspect battery deformation in my case. Work around is to go to System Preferences>Universal Access and check the box that says "Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present". This assumes you can still navigate to get there.

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Answer 12

origun Author

Level 1

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Apr 19, 2011 8:36 AM in response to wyeknott

Wyeknott, I tried your idea...but no success. Thanks for trying!

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Answer 13

Oct 9, 2011 10:27 PM in response to origun

I have also had the problem with my MacBook Pro mouse click sticking in the down position. I Usually use an external mouse and keyboard. I thought it might have been software related since it started happening after the last OS update. As time went on it got worse and worse. Tried all the suggestions listed here, sometimes I could get it to stop if I pressed really heard on the track pad, but the symptom usually came back later.

THE SOLUTION (at least for battery swell):

I discovered it is in fact a swollen battery pressing up against the trackpad. If I take it out, no problems, or if I loosen it just a bit, no problem. You can tell when you click the trackpad on the laptop as it really doesn't click when the battery is in, but has no problem when the battery is out. Kind of strange that it started after the last OS update!

Sounds like the original posters problem might have been something else, but I've heard lots of chatter from people experiencing similar problems.

Anyone know if there's a recall or replacement of these batteries? Otherwise I'll just have to bite the bullet and get a new battery. Battery swell also seems kind of dangerous!

Get the word out for the unibody MacBook Pros that have the removable battery case under the track pad.

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Answer 14

origun Author

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Oct 9, 2011 10:40 PM in response to obscureharmony

I had to take in my MacBook Pro to a service center and they decided the problem was with a software program i had downloaded and they deleted it and it was okay!

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Answer 15

wyeknott

Level 1

39 points

Oct 10, 2011 1:11 AM in response to origun

I took my MacBook Pro to my local Apple Store and they replaced the battery under warranty. The battery was definetly swoolen. I always use my MacBook as a desktop so it is always plugged in. It was recommended by the person doing the repair that I occassionally run it on the battery and let it run down before plugging it back in. So far (five months) the problem has been solved. I have the 3 year extended AppleCare Protection Plan.

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