when login screen appears my keybord doesn't work so i can't type my username and password on my macbook

Can you use the tab key to get to the log-in boxes?

I have a similar issue with a new rMBP 15". On occassion, when I login after selecting user and when the password screen comes up, system starts to populate password field. I cannot stop it with keyboard or trackpad. My old resolution is to select the back arrow on screen and go bac k to user screen. Then I can select user (smae one or guest) and everything works. fine after that. The issue is random and I cannot duplicate it on will.

I can been working with Apple Care for 2 weeks now. I did all suggested steps, reset SMC, disk utility, create new user, reintsall OSX 10.8.2. I have removed all external keyboard and trach pad and TB display.....probelm still exists. Today AC has asked me to send my activity logs to them.

I saw on another thread, a few others have a similar problem w/o a solution...

Steps :

(1) Shut Down Macbook

(2) Press and Hold Down SHIFT-CONTROL-OPTION & POWER BUTTON for 10 Seconds, they must be pushed in EXACTLY at the same time! Let Go after 10 Seconds and Turn On

(3) If No Response Then you must take in to the Apple Store to further evaluate the Keyboard Assembly

thanks for the reply AppleTech00. Those key commands reset the SMC which i have done with Apple Care. The problem still occurs randomly. I have sent my log files to Apple Care to review. I will advise outcome.

Thanks

Very disappointing response from Apple Developers....they supposenly reviewed my log and had no solution. The engineer proposed that I keep a text editor running when i shut down and enable it to start automaticaaly when i start up to capture key strokes. Unfortunately, they really dont undertsand the issue as I cannot get past the login screen, so the text editor wiill not be running!

I have asked my senior advisor to escalte it back to developers for a better analysis and response. In the mean time, I have scheduled a visit to the Genius bar for monday....

stay tuned...

I had my meeting with the Genius bar tech support. He reviewed all of the Apple Care history I have accumultaed over the last 4 weeks. He looked at my system and couldnt find any software issues. That led him to speculate it may be a hardware issue. After explaining that I spent over $5000 for my complete set up, I would not be happy with a repair on a brand new unit. He spoke to store manager and they agreed to replace the defective MBP.

I have completed my migration using Set Up Assistant and ethernet connection from old MBP to new MBP and it went smoothly. I migrated 324Gb in under 4 hours! Over night I created a complete backup using Time Capsule; again with an ethernet connection, and it took under 7 hours.

Everything is operating as normal.

Hopefully, this issue is behind me.

problem: keyboard/trackpad non responsive @ startup. could not get past login screen.

solved: magic mouse was turned on and in my laptop bag. duh.

When you restart, do you hear the clicking sound for mouse keys turning on? That's the problem that I'm having. When I turn on my new rMBP, I hear the mouse keys turn on and I can't turn them off. So, to log in I need to plug in an external keyboard. Hopefully someone can find a solution to this.

I have the same issue.

Apple techs could not resolve, so finally did a clean re-install of system. It worked for a while, but now it's back.

The only solution I've found is that if I go to the guest account (or any other account with no password) and switch user, I can type password there.

Thank you! This solved my problem. I'm glad I didn't have to get it repaired or replaced.

I had this exact same issue, however, when trying to log in I had my mouse plugged into the USB socket. Upon plugging it out, the keys that were once unresponsive became responsive! I hope my solution helps those who suffers from this problem.

I had the same problem and this solution worked. Apparently iTunes was trying to download some apps I bought on my iPad and got hung up on the signin screen. To solve the problem, I did this: (1) after going to the Guest account, I signed in under my iTunes account. (2) iTunes completed the downloading of several apps. (3) I logged out of the Guest account and signed in under my own account. I had no trouble putting in my password. (4) Problem solved.

Yes

You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is a couple of years old, less people are likely to look at it. A new post would be much more visible. You can link to this one.

This happened to me too, i know teo easy ways to resolve it.

1. Hold down each button you press to type your password fro roughly 2 seconds and it will register, this applies to the 'enter' button too.

2. Plug in an external keyboard if you have a built-in keyboard, might not work for some.