My Macbook Pro is possessed. Now what?

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Level 1

17 points

My Macbook Pro is possessed. Now what?

My MBP retina trackpad does not accept any user input, but the cursor is randomly jumping around and screens are switching from desktop to dashboard to mission control randomly. The best way to describe the cursor and screen switches is it looks like rapid eye movement. I tried restarting and shutting down network just to make sure no one's hacked me and controlling the computer remotely.

Should I call a priest, or just uninstall Mavericks? Both my MBPr and iMac have been pretty buggy since install. Really disappointed with Mavericks. I've never uninstalled an OS and gone back to the previous version without disks. If I have to do this, may need some advice.

Edit: The MBP accepts input from a bluetooth mouse and the cursor and screen have stopped randomly jumping around. However, the trackpad still does not accept user input.

HappyThanksgiving!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9), 2.4 Ghz Intel Core i7 Retina

Posted on Nov 27, 2013 9:43 PM

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Answer 1

CHR2017

Level 1

4 points

Oct 25, 2017 11:11 AM in response to jt in nyc

Attach a mouse AND disable trackpad.Computer repair shops wanted to keep my computer for 1-2 weeks. Couldn't do that. Seems to have solved the phantom activity. The problem seems to be the trackpad... either wearing out (my macbook pro is 8 years old) or it is being sensitized. Maybe should have cleaned it when taking out the battery and putting it back in. That and resetting the SMC seemed to help momentarily but I often didn't have the phantom activity til I had been on the computer for a few minutes. It always came back, until now with mouse disabled.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Nov 28, 2013 12:15 AM in response to jt in nyc

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.

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Answer 3

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,028 points

Nov 27, 2013 10:44 PM in response to jt in nyc

Could be the battery is swollen and impinging on the trackpad.

My best advise get it looked at.

Genius reservation http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

on-line https://getsupport.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.action

check warranty https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

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Answer 4

jt in nyc Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 28, 2013 7:13 AM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks Leroy, this may eventually prove to be the cause. I'm suspecting it may be a hardware issue as simple as a loose ribbon connector which could be caused by a swollen battery. The computer is less than a year old, so that would be a bit of a disappointment.

I'm running diagnostics suggested by Linc, below, and regained normal usage, at least temporarily. Posting a detailed response to Linc now...

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Answer 5

jt in nyc Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 28, 2013 7:25 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc, Thanks. I am systemically going through your diagnostic suggestions and believe it or not, #7 seems to have solved the problem, at least temporarily. Currently the MBP is running normally.

I temporarily (and randomly) regained full usage of the trackpad and computer last night, but this morning the problem seems to have recurred, although not as bad—screen was not jumping around erratically as described in OP. The trackpad was simply unresponsive.

So, ran through all suggestions and did not get results until I simultaneously pushed down on all 4 corners of the trackpad. Immediately regained full use of the trackpad and the computer operates normally.

I did try to eliminate possibility if foreign substances or electronic interference from other devices before original post. So, I am suspecting this may be a hardware issue—possibly something like a loose ribbon connector or short somewhere.

Will see if the problem returns over the holiday weekend, in which case I'll make an appointment with the Geniuses at my local Apple store.

Thanks much!

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Answer 6

jt in nyc Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 28, 2013 7:49 AM in response to Linc Davis

Argh! Unfortunately, the solution only seems to be a temporary fix, as the problem has returned. Will take it in to the Genius bar at the Apple store.

Tried to edit this thread to reflect the situation, but can't seem to make edits to earlier posts since I marked as being "solved".

Thanks again.

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Answer 7

Nov 29, 2013 10:26 PM in response to jt in nyc

Something I discovered today in case anyone is having similar issues with the erratic mouse behaviour.

I found that when using a aftermarket magsafe adapter(looks like and OEM but I can tell isn't) the trackpad was completely erratic. As soon as I unplugged the cheap magsafe the problem went away, plugged magsafe back in and problem came back. Tested with a known OEM magsafe and didn't have any problem.

SO it's possibly a power issue for some people.

This was tested on 2 different mid 2009 15" MBPs with the same result. It was a imitation 85w magsafe adapter. Funny thing is same cheap adapter seems to work on other models with no issues???

Anyways, hope my input helps someone out having this issue.

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Answer 8

Nov 30, 2013 7:11 AM in response to jt in nyc

Although the mouse was a lot better after I reset the PRAM and NVRAM it was not perfect so I reset the the CRM and now its worked for two days with no problem.I really dont think mine was a hardware issue.

To reset the CRM restart the computer and hold down the shift + control + option keys as soon as you see the Apple logo on start up hold it down until the computer home screen comes up.

Good luck

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Answer 9

Dec 1, 2013 8:37 PM in response to jt in nyc

Phil the Dog, can you please explain a little more precisely this cmr reset? i tried and nothong happened. I also tried looking for info on this CMR reset, but found none. What is this thing?

Thanks for helping

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