MacBook keys not working

Question

Level 1

4 points

MacBook keys not working

Hello,

I've had my MacBook Late 2009 for a long time and I never had this happened to me. I dropped my water bottle and it got only a few drops on my MacBook internal keyboard. I quickly wiped it off and I was already experiencing problems. Sometimes when I pressed the shift key, it would produce a symbol instead of capatilizing the letter. I turned it off for the night and set it in an upside down 'V' position on my table. The next morning, I turned it on and tried to log on by typing my password but it just made the 'Funk' error sound. Some keys like the 'o' and 'enter' key made spaces. Other keys moved the text cursor in different places. The keys we're working but the computer was not recognizing the key presses. I Googled it to see if anybody else had the problem, and someone did and said to get a program called "KaraBinder" which maps the keys or something. I got it and ran it and surely my keyboard started to work. It only works when the application is running and likes to randomly close. I can't type more than 2 numbers without it crashing. I then have to go into the application and press the "Reload XML" button. The left shift key doesn't work also which I use a lot. I was told it was something where the keycap got messed up. I would like to know if there was a way (Without replacing the keyboard or giving it to Apple) to fix it, because I would like it to work again without an application that has flaws.

I can connect an external keyboard and it works fine. This way I can type my password. I also have other accounts that don't have a password.

I have tried most things. I have tried resetting the PRAM but that hasn't work. Also, when the keyboard isn't working, the trackpad will only right-click.

This is very odd to me, but I'm guessing it has something to do with the key map of the keys or the computer not knowing what key is being pressed?

Specs: MacBook (White, Plastic) late 2009 (13-inch)

Latest OS Yosemite 10.10.3

2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Memory

NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB

Thanks in advance. (I'm writing on this computer with an external keyboard but I do have access to other computers)

MacBook, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), 13' Late 2009

Posted on Apr 24, 2015 1:54 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 24, 2015 1:56 PM in response to 4729034873

Please make a Genius Appointment and take it in for service.

Reply

Answer 2

4729034873 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 24, 2015 2:00 PM in response to 4729034873

Is there a way to fix it w/out doing this? I am trying to find a way to fix the keyboard without taking it to an apple store. The nearest one is over 5 miles away.

Reply

Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 24, 2015 2:02 PM in response to 4729034873

Your keyboard is broken. How else will it get replaced but at the Apple Store which you are at worst 15 minutes from.

Reply

Answer 4

4729034873 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 24, 2015 2:06 PM in response to Kappy

I wasn't asking for it to get replaced. I also don't have access to an Apple store (Which is well over 15 minutes away)

I think there is a way it could be fixed because it works almost flawlessly with the application, so the keyboard isn't fully broken.

Reply

Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 24, 2015 2:11 PM in response to 4729034873

Then I wish you luck in your endeavor.

Reply

Answer 6

4729034873 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 24, 2015 7:13 PM in response to 4729034873

When I open the onscreen keyboard and press a key on my MacBook keyboard, it highlights the key that I pressed, so it knows what key I'm pressing but it isn't typing it so it must be software related.

Reply

Answer 7

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Apr 25, 2015 9:11 AM in response to 4729034873

Is there a way to get back to an earlier OS?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1759298

"The trackpad and keyboard do not work inside of Yosemite!

They both work in Mavericks and Windows partitions, even in Recovery Mode/Console. As soon as I get into Yosemite, the cursor is in the upper left hand corner and doesn't move."

". I dropped my water bottle and it got only a few drops on my MacBook internal keyboard. I quickly wiped it off and I was already experiencing problems."

Expect problems further down the road.

"2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Memory"

Minimal to be running any new OS.

Reply

Answer 8

4729034873 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 25, 2015 4:20 AM in response to spudnuty

I do have a Mavericks disc. I will try and revert it to Mavericks and see if it worked.

Reply

Answer 9

4729034873 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 25, 2015 5:53 AM in response to 4729034873

The option key isn't working and it won't start up in the boot menu. I also tried an external keyboard but it didn't work.

Reply

Answer 10

4729034873 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 25, 2015 6:59 AM in response to 4729034873

Okay.. I am installing Mac OS X Mavericks now.

Reply

Answer 11

4729034873 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 25, 2015 7:34 AM in response to 4729034873

Installed Mavericks without luck. Mavericks is having the same problem.

Reply

Answer 12

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Apr 25, 2015 12:52 PM in response to 4729034873

In your original post you said:

"I can connect an external keyboard and it works fine. "

Then in this last post you say:

"I also tried an external keyboard but it didn't work."

So is this fault you're having progressing? Like a disease?

Originally when you said:

" I dropped my water bottle and it got only a few drops on my MacBook internal keyboard."

I thought oh, oh, that going to result in logic board problems:

Here's my standard rant on spills:'=

Also here's my standard blurb about a water incident:

"Whenever a liquid spill occurs the first thing that has to happen is the laptop should be shut down immediately. All power must be removed as soon as possible.

It is especially important that the battery be disconnected and removed.

No attempt should be made to start/restart the computer since this could potentially damage the logic board beyond all repair.

All affected parts must be removed from the laptop and carefully and closely inspected. Any involved area should be marked for special treatment.

Then all affected parts would be washed in deionized water in an cycling ultrasonic cleaner and blown dry with compressed air. (In a water spill the deionized water is probably not as critical. Depends on the mineral content of the water.).

This is especially true of the large chips on the logic board. Liquid can wick under them and cause havoc for weeks if not months and years after the incident, depends on the liquid..

The logic board should be placed in a drying/dehumidifing oven for at least two days. Longer depending on the spill.The keyboard is a separate matter.

Reply

Answer 13

4729034873 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 25, 2015 2:13 PM in response to spudnuty

I have decided to get a new MacBook Pro.

And what I meant to say was that the external keyboard didn't work at startup so I couldn't boot up from the startup menu or anything. The external keyboard worked fine when it was booted up.

I am going to mark this problem as solved now.

Reply

Answer 14

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Apr 25, 2015 8:45 PM in response to 4729034873

"I have decided to get a new MacBook Pro."

OK good, which one are you looking at?

What do you plan for the old 2009?

Reply