livingfree_95
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: My keyboard stopped working and I think I have a virus. Should I just take it in to have someone look at it or is there anything that I can do to maybe get it working again?

I Was on my macbook air 13-inch and all of a sudden my mouse track pad starting to go crazy. I tried to stop it and it wouldn't. I was in safari and I force close out by shutting off my computer. I turned it back on and it was still going crazy. I tried typing and the keyboard also went crazy. I turned it back off for a few hours then turned it back on. The mouse track pad was not going crazy, since my computer is locked with a password I tried to type in my password and the keyboard wouldn't work. my dad and I are pretty sure I have a virus.  I was wondering if there wasn't something I could try or if I needed to take it in to have a professional look at it.

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2012), iOS 8.1.2

Posted on Jan 3, 2015 10:20 PM

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livingfree_95

Q: My keyboard stopped working and I think I have a virus. Should I just take it in to have someone look at it or is there anything t ... more

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  • by spudnuty,

    spudnuty spudnuty Jan 3, 2015 11:52 PM in response to livingfree_95
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 3, 2015 11:52 PM in response to livingfree_95

    Hello livingfree_95 and welcome to Apple Support Communities,

    I can't imagine you have a virus. Try plugging a USB keyboard in. Any will do. Then also a USB mouse. See if you can get back on the machine.

    Report back.

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Jan 4, 2015 3:53 AM in response to livingfree_95
    Level 7 (30,944 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 4, 2015 3:53 AM in response to livingfree_95

    This is not a virus. It's probably a hardware issue. One possibility is that it is a swelling battery, so I'd strongly recommend making an appointment at the Genius Bar at your nearest Apple Store, and take the machine in for the techs to look at.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jan 4, 2015 12:47 PM in response to livingfree_95
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Jan 4, 2015 12:47 PM in response to livingfree_95

    There are several possible causes for this issue. Please take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried until it's resolved. Some may not apply in your case.

    1. Follow the instructions in this support article, and also this one, if applicable. A damaged or defective AC adapter could be the cause, even if it's the right kind.

    2. Press down all four corners of the trackpad at once and release. If there's any effect, it's likely to be temporary, and in that case the unit must be serviced or replaced.

    3. Open the Bluetooth preference pane in System Preferences and delete all pointing devices other than the trackpad, if applicable. Disconnect any USB pointing devices. By a "pointing device," I mean a peripheral that moves the cursor, such as a trackpad, mouse, trackball, or graphics tablet. A plain keyboard is not a pointing device.

    4. Start up 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 restart as usual, stop here and post your results. Do the same if you can't start in safe mode. If there was no difference in safe mode, go on to the next step.

    5. Reset the System Management Controller.

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

    7. A swollen battery in a portable computer 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.

    8. A defective peripheral device or a damaged cable can cause the built-in trackpad of a MacBook to behave erratically. If you're using any wired peripherals, disconnect them one at a time 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.