Cleaning a sticky mouse pad

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Level 1

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Cleaning a sticky mouse pad

So I was eating around my computer and neglected to see I had dropped something sticky around the crevice of my powerbook's mousepad button and now, unless I press hard, I can't use it. I've since changed my options so that I can simply tap the pad itself to select windows and such, but I'd like to have my button back in order to click and drag, etc. Any help on figuring out how to clean it? Please help!

PowerBook G4

Posted on Nov 12, 2006 3:07 PM

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Answer 1

joeuu

Level 5

5,089 points

Nov 12, 2006 3:50 PM in response to Mariel813

Hi Marie, Welcome to the Discussions.

Without knowing the full degree of your stickiness, try putting a post-it on edge and dragging the sticky side around the corners. Might be able to pick up some crud.

Be careful not to tear it and leave a piece behind.

Joe

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Answer 2

Mariel813 Author

Level 1

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Nov 12, 2006 4:21 PM in response to joeuu

thanks for the suggestion...but it didn't work 😟 is there anyway that, without taking it into an applestore, I could removed the button myself and remove what it is that's sticky? Or should I not risk it? sigh

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Answer 3

joeuu

Level 5

5,089 points

Nov 12, 2006 4:30 PM in response to Mariel813

Not for the feint of heart. Look at:
http://www.ifixit.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=1254&cat=&page=1
for replacing the upper case, which contains the pad and button. Click on view install for instructions.

You don't say which model you have and you don't want to void any warranty either...

Joe

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Answer 4

Mariel813 Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 12, 2006 4:56 PM in response to joeuu

powerbook G4, I guess it doesn't say...anyway, I'll probably just end up taking it into the store to solve it because I'm not at all tech savvy and would probably end up doing more harm. Thanks anyway, I'll keep the discussion open in case someone comes up with something! I appreciate the help 🙂

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