Level 1

12 points

How to turn off or ignore trackpad on MacBook Pro running OSX 10.7.5?

My trackpad needs replacing, but I don't have the funds. It works fine with an external USB mouse, but the trackpad keeps "activating" on it's own (a la Poltergeist). An couple online searches have not revealed and option and the Mac store doesn't have an answer. When I go to the Apple menu, Universal Access that many sites talk about is not available for the Trackpad (only Keyboard and Voice).
Help, please?!
[If I can't get an answer here, is there a way to contact support via telephone? (It's difficult finding such basic information nowadays.)]

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Oct 17, 2012 12:18 PM

28 replies

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 17, 2012 12:35 PM in response to BeansAlone

If it's not there, then perhaps that is because the Trackpad is not working. The option would not appear if the preference was unable to detect a trackpad.

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 17, 2012 1:02 PM in response to BeansAlone

Sorry, I do not.

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 17, 2012 1:15 PM in response to BeansAlone

As I first stated it was in one of three - Accessibility/Universal Access. Glad it's OK now.

BeansAlone Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 17, 2012 6:57 PM in response to Kappy

Yes, I just couldn't find it. Thank you.

Dec 25, 2012 9:14 PM in response to Kappy

this helps me too thank you.. 🙂

BeansAlone Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 3, 2014 2:03 PM in response to AustinJW

It seems to be a hardware issue. One of these days we'll attempt to replace it. Until then, the external mouse has been great.

Apr 15, 2014 3:34 AM in response to BeansAlone

Thanks this worked for me 🙂

lfenton1

Level 1

0 points

Jul 9, 2014 11:01 AM in response to 95bulls

Thank you sooo much! Now I don't have to buy a new computer

Oct 28, 2014 3:51 PM in response to BeansAlone

I could kiss you right now. ive been struggling with the stupid phantom trackpad for weeks

Nov 17, 2014 7:38 PM in response to 95bulls

This works perfectly. Thanks 🙂

ninjapig

Level 1

30 points

Nov 20, 2014 5:03 AM in response to BeansAlone

Unfortunately none of these posts stop the random, erratic movement. Hopefully there's a better way to completely disable the trackpad.

Aug 5, 2015 5:12 AM in response to BeansAlone

Thanks for this! 🙂 I've wanting to turn off the blessed mousepad since I bought the thing, but couldn't figure out how!

Nov 5, 2015 12:03 PM in response to BeansAlone

Huge help, I followed the instructions above and it was perfect. Also had fun with the extra options under Universal. Not to just remember to use the external pad and not the built in one. lol

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How to turn off or ignore trackpad on MacBook Pro running OSX 10.7.5?