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Internal keyboard and trackpad shortcut issues?

I have a 2009 aluminum MacBook with a 15" display, 2.4 GHz CPU, 250 GB HDD, and 2.0 GB RAM, running OS X Mavericks. My HD is also partitioned, so I have about 50GB partitioned off and running Windows 7.


Several weeks ago, my dog slobbered on my MacBook's keyboard - I cleaned it up, and the computer had no issues with powering on or off or with any other basic mechanics. However, the keyboard and trackpad suddenly started acting very strange. For example, pressing the "A" key would open the finder, pressing the "S" key would open spotlight, but none of the keys would type properly into a word document. Also, whenever I selected an app on the dock with the trackpad, the Finder would open and the app would be selected in the finder - but apps will no longer automatically open from the dock.


I purchased an external Logitech USB keyboard to test out, and it worked well enough - I was able to process word documents with the external USB keyboard, no problems (although I am not able to switch over to my Windows partition by pressing the Option key on the external USB keyboard, or boot into safe mode using the USB keyboard, which is annoying...probably just need to reset the keys or something?).


I left my MacBook powered off for a couple days, and when I powered it back up, the internal keyboard and trackpad problems had vanished, and everything was working normally again! I assumed that the dog slobber had finally dried up and the problem had fixed itself. I could switch over to Windows 7 without a problem, and everything was working normally!


Flash forward about 10 days, and all of the sudden the exact same internal keyboard and trackpad issues pop back up. And they have persisted ever since for about 3 weeks now. I have searched forum after forum and tried every suggested solution - including Terminal commands - but nothing has fixed it so far. Clearing the PRAM hasn't worked, either. Fiddling with the battery hasn't worked. Nothing has worked.


That said, it's difficult to test many solutions when the internal keyboard is malfunctioning. Obviously this is an older MacBook, so I no longer have Apple Care for it.


I use Windows 7 to game, and I would really like to be able to switch over to game again - also, I'm going to try to sell this MacBook and put the money towards a brand new one, so the internal keyboard really needs to work!


Do these specific internal keyboard/trackpad issues sound familiar to anyone? And how can they be fixed? Thanks in advance!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8), iPhoto '09

Posted on Mar 6, 2014 1:31 PM

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4 replies

Mar 6, 2014 1:37 PM in response to superfrodo

A replacement of the top half of the bottom case, includes a replacement keyboard

and trackpad, so that is often the cure to a keyboard or trackpad issue. The price

may vary depending on cost of a new topside bottom case, or a known OK used one.


Then there is the labor. See the iFixit.com guide for your vintage MacBook for ideas.

Used parts may be a false saving, if you are 'not into re-repairing' your own gear.


Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Mar 6, 2014 1:46 PM in response to K Shaffer

To me this doesn't seem like an issue requiring hardware replacement or repair. I'd rather steer clear of that route if at all possible. May as well just go ahead and buy a new computer if that's the case.


The internal keyboard itself is responsive, it just automatically shortcuts when it should not. Like an internal communication malfunction.

Mar 6, 2014 2:03 PM in response to superfrodo

You could take the computer to an Apple Store with Genius bar for a diagnostic test

and in the US/Canada this is said to be a free service. In other locations, ask.


The Genius area requires visitors to schedule an appointment, so that can be done

by phone to the nearest Apple Store, or online through a link in Apple Support site.

And this is recommended, if you can get their expert opinion. Few options exist.


An independent Apple Specialist or other skilled trained tech could swap the case

and the part is usually under $140; even iFixit or powerbookmedic shows parts.


The hardware likely was shorted out, and as those keyswitches can be damaged

there is a probability that is the cause of the symptoms you have mentioned here.


The aluminum MacBook 15" likely has a more costly fix.


Find model here:

http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook

http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Unibody_Model_A1278


You could use Keyboard Viewer to see what keys are active, and then perhaps a

few of them could be re-mapped to a limit other purpose. This often isn't a fix.


Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

edited 2x

Mar 10, 2014 7:54 PM in response to K Shaffer

I have found a way to circumvent the problem for now. I was able to boot into Windows 7 by changing the default startup disk to Windows 7 on the Mac side of my partition (since the Option key isn't working on my internal and the Alt key isn't working on my external Windows keyboard).


So now I have full and complete access to Windows. BUT, now I have no way to boot back into Mac!!! I need to access some word documents on my Mac partition ASAP, but I can't boot into Mac while using Windows...again, Option and Alt keys aren't working.


Is there a relatively simple way to circumvent this? Maybe a bootloader option on my Windows 7 side?


I should mention that I did not use Boot Camp to set up my partition - I did it all manually. I was unable to use Boot Camp because my version on my 2009 MacBook was too outdated.


Thanks again.

Internal keyboard and trackpad shortcut issues?

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