How can I lock/unlock keyboard and trackpad while executing an app or webpage?

A two-year-old doesn't have the coordination or the conceptual framework to use a computer properly, let alone the multi-gesture trackpad. The solution to your problem is parental supervision and assistance, not locking the computer down so that it sometimes fails to respond when he tries to interact with it. That will just make its behavior seem inconsistent, mysterious and frustrating to him, and he may start banging on the KB and trackpad to elicit a response. You certainly don't want that. Don't let him use it unless you're available to sit and work with him on it. You'll lose less data, have fewer hardware repairs, and your son will learn more.

Seat your son where he can't reach the keyboard or trackpad. Separating him from the machine when you don't want him to touch it makes far more sense than crippling the machine so that he can touch it whenever he wants to without making it do anything.

By the way, your written English is better than that of many native English speakers.

Hi.. maybe an oldie one, but for me it's working, to put an old keyboard before the mbp, and of course not connected.... so the kid, can Play meanwhile It is seeing some cartoons in the screen.....

Sorry my english too...

Martin

Hi Vences,

there is an app called Lockey that will lock the keyboard on your mac. It will also lock the trackpad too and offer hotkeys to enable disable quickly.

You can find it over at http://getlockey.com

I too need either some REAL advice or a "cat trainer". My little darling just sent my entire desktop to the trash. I gotta give him credit I don't know if I know how to do that in one swipe. Anyhow, is there a simple method of locking the keyboard? No child or animal advice please 🙂

My two children are now 28 and 31 years old and grew up with Macs, which I began buying in February 1984, a week after the release of the first Mac model.

As far as I know, there is no way to disable the built-in KB or trackpad. That's why I've suggested alternatives. I'll leave this thread now.

Good riddance, I say. Wow. You really think it's acceptable to criticize--or even make suggestions regarding--the parenting skills of someone you don't know on a support thread? That's beyond bad manners. It's a shame your condescending attitude can't be disabled, either.

Venceslau did an excellent job of responding to your presumptuous, haughty, utterly unhelpful responses, but since I'm looking for the same advice because I have a cat who's less easy to control than any two-year-old, I thought I'd throw in my two cents. For the record, I supervise the **** out of my cat, and I'd really appreciate it if you didn't offer me any of your so-called advice.

Hi marfister,

Wow--that is one talented cat! 😉 Sorry for your troubles, and I can certainly relate.

I've found a couple of things that help, given that Gobi, my cat, really loves to sleep on the keyboard and has taken screen shots, renamed my hard drive and numerous files, printed documents, conducted searches, and even sent email with his own very talented butt. Since I don't want to deny him the pleasure or the warmth (he's 15-1/2), here's what I've done:

1. Installed KeyboardCleanTool. I believe it's free, and it's working for me in OS X 10.7.2. Before I turn it on, I minimize all windows (including KeyboardCleanTool,) because unfortunately, Gobi can still get at the trackpad, preventing my display from sleeping or my screen starter from loading due to the "input." Download it here:

http://blog.boastr.net/?p=2452

2. In an effort to disable the trackpad as well, I paid $7.77 for Lockey, which can disable the keyboard alone or both keyboard and trackpad. Once both are locked, you can theoretically disable the program by using command->tab to get to the app, then using command->Q to quit. Unfortunately, when I use it with my OS, only the finder shows up when I command->tab, so the only way to escape is to use the on/off button to shut down and restart. Kind of defeats the purpose, but if you're not running Lion yet, it may work for you. Here's a link to the developer's site:

http://www.getlockey.com/

3. Because Gobi has also pulled at least four keys off my keyboard with his claws, I bought a keyboard protector from the Apple Store. The only manufacturer they carry is Moshi, so just doing a search for "Moshi keyboard" should do the trick. As a bonus, it keeps foreign matter (like, oh, I don't know, cat hair, maybe?) from getting in through the cracks. It's no problem to type with it on, except that it's translucent, not transparent, so it makes reading the keys a bit more difficult. I haven't really experimented with adjusting the backlight, though, and that might do the trick.

I hope this helps, and best of luck!

segmentis

P.S. In theory, at least, there's a shortcut that should disable the keyboard, but it hasn't worked for me. I'm having a hard time finding it again through Apple support, but I believe it's either command->fn->shift->F1 or control->fn->shift->F1.

I address this below in a response to marfister, and I need to contact the developer to let him know of the problem, but I'm running OS X 10.7.2 on an Intel-based MacBook Pro, and when I try to quit by using command-->tab to get to the app, then command-->Q to quit, the only app that appears is the Finder. The only solution at that point is to hold down the on/off key to shut down, then restart.

Here's a link to a freeware app that locks the keyboard nicely:

http://blog.boastr.net/?p=2452

Hi there. Segmentis, thanks for your support in that stupid discussion. I swear, I have tried to be polite but at that point, I have put my good manner beside.

Back to the point, I have faced some problems to use the Lockey as you have described.

It has worked only the first time, I mean, if you use it once, you have to turn the computer off in order to use it again.

In this “first use” I have used command+esc, Command+L or Command+Q, it works well. After that, it works but with a combination of everything, I can`t explain how but you can try.

Cheers

Hi Venceslau,

I wanted to let you know that I tried the key combinations that are working for you to quit Lockey with trackpad locking on, but they didn't work.

The keyboard combination below does work for me, although if I have Lockey preferences set so that Lockey runs at startup, it takes the icon out of my menu bar. No problem--I just put the app in my dock.

command->control->q

Hurray!

Best,

segmentis

UPDATE: After a great deal of back-and-forth with the developer, I've finally figured out how to both start and stop Lockey while the app is running (when it appears in the menu bar.)

It's CTRL-->COMMAND-->K

Ctrl-->command-->Q does quit Lockey, but it really causes it to quit, such that it no longer appears in the menu bar.

I respectfully suggested to the developer that he consider changing the online video documentation to reflect these facts, and that in future updates, he change the key combo that appears in the dropdown menu for the app.