JwHw
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Erratic Mac! It gives itself commands while I'm using it.

My Mac seems to have gone completely insane. It gives itself all kinds of commands while I'm using it and the tracpad seems to be involved. Upfont I'll say that I've completly ruled out the battery expansion problem with the help of a professional. My Mac has not experienced any type of accident or damage that would alter how it works. While I'm attempting to use it, it will sweep between desktop/safari/desktop/finder etc... It will highlight text, zoom in and out, look up dictionary definitions on random words and sometimes just refuse to respond if I try to fix it. Example, if it zooms I have to double tap...over...and over...and over again until it finally responds. This is just tapping, not clicking. When I try to just navigate my cursor to one part of a page to another it becomes extremely erratic, jumping around the page and sometimes going in the complete opposite direction. The curser will become "sticky" the page will stick to it when I touch the tracpad it just immediately tries to sweep to a different screen. It will minimize pages that I'm on all by itself and go to new areas like from safari to pages. All of these problems are intermittent so it's been extremely difficult to get it diagnosed by my computer guy who is very competent with Macs. My tracpad is in perfect shape, no cracks, uneven spots and fully depresses when I click. Basically, there's no obvious visual damage to indicate a problem.

 

Any ideas? My guy said that if I have to replace the tracpad, I have to replace everything on top...keyboard etc...because it's all one piece. I was quoted a very steep price for this repair and would like to give him some direction. He says he's never heard of anything like it before and he's been doing this for a very long time.

 

As an example of this craziness, it's taken me about a half hour to get this typing done because I constantly have to bring it back to this screen after it goes off on a wild goose chase...

MacBook Pro, 2010-2011 macbook Pro

Posted on Oct 13, 2013 5:57 PM

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JwHw

Q: Erratic Mac! It gives itself commands while I'm using it.

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  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 13, 2013 6:38 PM in response to JwHw
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Oct 13, 2013 6:38 PM in response to JwHw

    There are several possible causes for this issue. Take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried until it's resolved. Some may not be applicable.

    1. Follow the instructions in this support article, and also this one, if applicable.

    2. Open the Bluetooth preference pane in System Preferences and check for unknown or forgotten input devices. Disconnect any USB input devices that you aren't using.

    3. Boot in safe mode and test, preferably without launching any third-party applications. If you don't have the problem in safe mode, but it comes back when you reboot as usual, stop here and post your results. If you can't boot in safe mode, do the same. If you booted in safe mode and there was no change, go on to the next step.

    4. Reset the System Management Controller.

    5. If you're using a Bluetooth trackpad, investigate potential sources of interference, including USB 3 devices.

    6. A swollen battery in a MacBook Pro or Air can impinge on the trackpad from below and cause erratic behavior. If you have trouble clicking the trackpad, this is likely the reason. The battery must be replaced without delay.

    7. Some people have reported that they fixed a malfunctioning trackpad by pressing down on all four corners at once. I can't confirm, but it does no harm to try.

    8. There's a report that a (possibly defective) Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter can cause the built-in trackpad of a MacBook to  behave erratically. If you're using such an adapter, disconnect it and test.

    9. There's also a report of erratic cursor movements caused by an external display that was connected but not turned on.

    10. If none of the above applies, or if you have another reason to think that your computer is being remotely controlled, remove it from the network by turning off Wi-Fi (or your Wi-Fi access point), disconnecting from a Bluetooth network link, and unplugging the Ethernet cable or USB modem, whichever is applicable. If the cursor movements stop at once, you should suspect an intrusion.

    11. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine and/or external trackpad tested.

  • by ARBP,

    ARBP ARBP Oct 15, 2013 7:41 AM in response to JwHw
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 15, 2013 7:41 AM in response to JwHw

    I've been having the EXACT same problems for two days now (you did a great job of describing them so I won't repeat). Tried resetting the SMC and the PRAM, neither worked. macbook pro bought in mid 2011.

     

    The only other issue I can think of is, last week I closed the lid and put it in my bag, and a few hours later when I pulled it out the computer was super hot, and the fan was running. I wonder if this is connected.

     

    Anyone have any ideas? Could it be a virus?