Intermittently unresponsive key on 17" MacBook Pro

Question

Level 1

5 points

The "o" key on my 17-inch (Late 2007) MacBook Pro is unresponsive about half the time.

If the key is struck 10 times, perhaps 5 o's will appear. None of the other keys have this problem.

It seems that to fix this, I could either:

1. Replace the key (individual keys are available on eBay)

2. Replace the keyboard

3. Replace the entire "top case"

I'd rather not go overboard if there is an easy repair.

This problem disappears when using an external USB keyboard.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), A1229 (Late 2007) 17-inch

Posted on Jul 26, 2013 5:35 PM

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Answer 1

Level 7

30,735 points

The key can be replaced but it's the bubble membrane underneath that has failed.

Have the keyboard replaced and use a external wired or wireless keyboard/mouse to place the wear and tear on external/replaceable devices instead.

The 17" is no longer carried by Apple now, so your downsizing the next hardware turnover cycle.

Good Luck 🙂

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Answer 2

Level 1

5 points

So I would need to replace the keyboard only, not the entire "top case"?

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Answer 3

Level 7

30,735 points

Yes, just the keyboard, take it to Apple and they will fix you up.

Good Luck 🙂

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Answer 4

Level 1

5 points

I have found some inexpensive replacement keyboards on eBay. A few questions:

Are all of the keyboards in the Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro series interchangeable between models and sizes?

Will this keyboard pulled from a 15" model work with my 17" model?

Here is an example:

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