Q: 10.11.5 did not address an uncontrollable cursor that functions independently. It activates applications, inclusive of chang ... more
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May 28, 2016 2:58 AMby dialabrain,Try resetting the SMC
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support
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May 28, 2016 5:34 AMby Lexiepex,(Correct your profile).
When the SMC reset does not or not completely solve this issue:
Open SystemInformation (In Utilities) and select Power in the left panel; in the right window in the first part see "Condition:" and "CycleCount:". Post what is written there, please.
Lex
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May 28, 2016 7:33 AMby njjohnsr,Greetings:
Please accept my apology for the delayed response. While I haven't encountered an incident since issuing this post, please be advised that "shutdown" was the only mechanism to regain control. However, in the future, I will follow the SMC reset instruction. There has not been another incident so far. When the incident occurs it appears as a coding malfunction since the cursor movements are so fast and the cursor just needs to get close to an item before activation occurs.
With best regards,
Nate
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May 28, 2016 8:26 AMby njjohnsr,Greetings:
While I was beginning to respond to your suggestion, the incident occurred. I was able to activate a shutdown, but a restart was not required, it restarted. However, directly after the restart I was able to access the requested power information, yielding a cyclecount of 10 and a condition of normal. I did shutdown and utilize the shift-control-option-power before starting this time. Perhaps, this action will prolong a normal operation mode.
As an aside, what is the basis for cyclecount and condition parameters?
With best regards,
Nate
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May 28, 2016 8:33 AMby Lexiepex,I was asking about the battery information. When a battery gets old and ailing it may swell a bit and press the underside of the keyboard/trackpad.
A battery is designed for at least a 1000 cycles, but old age alone (or environmental factors like high temperatures) can make the condition: "service battery" which means replace the battery, or even "replace battery".
That is why I asked.
But the battery seems OK, and the reset you you did was enough to be back to normal. Sometimes you even have to do that reset twice... It never hurts.
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May 28, 2016 9:42 AMby Linc Davis,There are several possible causes for the behavior. 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. Disconnect or power off each Bluetooth or USB pointing device, one at a time, testing as you go. You may be able to identify one that's malfunctioning. 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. If you have a desktop model without a built-in trackpad, at least one external pointing device must be active at all times.
4. If your model has an infrared receiver for use with an Apple Remote, disable it.
5. This step applies if you're using a portable Mac with a built-in trackpad, and you also use an external mouse or trackpad. Open the the Accessibility pane in System Preferences and select Mouse & Trackpad from the menu on the left. Check the box marked
Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present
Credit for this observation to ASC member PattMK.
6. Reset the System Management Controller.
7. If you're using a Bluetooth trackpad or mouse, investigate potential sources of interference, including USB 3 devices.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. There's also a of erratic cursor movements caused by an external display that was connected but not turned on.
11. If you use Handoff, disable it in the General pane of System Preferences.
12. If AirPlay mirroring to a TV is on, turn it off.
13. 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.
14. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine and/or external trackpad tested.
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May 29, 2016 6:49 AMby njjohnsr,Greetings Linc:
Thank you for the suggestions. I will follow-up and advise you accordingly. By the way, I have not experienced the uncontrolled cursor incident to date.
As an aside, I have been accessing the online tiv through TWC; while flash player failures have been realized, they have been addressed without the uncontrolled cursor.
Thank you for the assistance.
With best regards,
Nate
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Jul 25, 2016 9:07 AMby chanelfrombowie,I am not sure if you were able to resolve this challenge but it recently happened to me. I thought malware and someone was controlling my notebook. I turned of wifi and bluetooth. Still had the same problem. Everything opened on its own, screens moved and I could not control the mouse pad. I read this thread and many others. The problem was moisture. I aimed a hairdryer on a warm to cool setting on the track pad for about ten minutes. Problem resolved. Be careful not to allow it to get hot and don't aim at the screen at all...only keyboard and mouse pad.
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Aug 11, 2016 2:22 PMby trixie_nonyobiz,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.
Greetings, Linc...
Shielding on the mag-link cable of my AC adapter was indeed lacerated. Switching to a second, undamaged adapter solved the problem. Many thanks,
David
