Weird Macbook Pro Unibody Trackpad problem

Okay, this has been bothering me for a while. I have a 2 year old Unibody 15" Macbook pro, with the glass trackpad. I used the laptop for a year, and it was perfect. One day I was sitting on the couch with the computer next to me and I push the trackpad only to hear a massive crunching sound. It wasn't a smooth click, it was like something was caught underneath it. It happened for about 3 months, then settled down, only coming back occasionally. Now it's back and won't go away. When I start using the MacBook it is fine, but the button is noticeably looser than my brothers 2011 Macbook Pro, and makes a quieter noise at first, then it starts sounding like a spring is underneath the trackpad sometimes, sometimes it makes a rattle when clicked, sometimes a big crunch. Most of the tip when I gently tap the trackpad, even with the littlest effort it makes a tink noise. Does it on either the left or the right side of the trackpad and alternates. I have googled and googled but can't find ANYONE with this problem. I have taken it into the local apple store equivalent (we don't have apple stores ) 3 times. They have opened it up 3 times and can't see anything wrong. The guy said they re attached the cables to the trackpad, and it worked great for about a week, then it has been worse than ever. That was in January. I can't currently take the laptop back as I have school, and probably can't in the holidays as the shop was damaged in an earthquake (Christchurch :P )
Is there anyway to fix this? I might just try and do a DIY, I've fixed 2 xbox's with Red rings before so believe in DIY fixing
And no, the noise is not the hard drive sudden motion sensor lock thing. Sounds very different

Very weird. Try using the macbook without the battery, remove the battery, connect the power adapter only and use it to see if problem persists.

Similar Messages

2010 Macbook Pro unibody trackpad unresponsive?

I just recently bought a Macbook Pro 2010 unibody off my friend who upgraded to the new Macbook Pro. It was working perfectly for about 2 weeks and then the mouse started to spazz out. It would click randomly and swipe back a page. It kept doing things that required two or three finger swipes when I was only using my index finger. Even as I'm typing the mouse is jumping around my screen. Sometimes it doesn't even respond. I will try to move the mouse and it sticks and then suddenly jump across the screen. What's the deal? Could it be a boated battery that is causing this erratic behavior?
On a side note, I find it a little ridiculous that you have to pay Apple 19$ just to talk to their Tech Support if you're not under warranty. Way to go Apple.

I had your issue. It seemed the mouse was doing whatever it wanted creating havoc.
In my case my 3 year year old battery had started swelling pressing up on the trackpad causing it do do the weird things. It still held a charge and was usable otherwise.
Try taking the battery out, if your MacBookPro allows that as a D.I.Y., and run it on the adapter alone. When I did that my Macbook returned to it's previously perfect operation.
After I took the battery out I could barely see the swelling at all but it was enough to mess the trackpad up.

Could these (MacBook Pro) keyboard/trackpad problems be Leopard related?

My (MacBook Pro's) keyboard and trackpad stop working every couple of minutes. And then suddenly comes back. The capslock key and it's LED is also not responding anymore when it happens.
Could this be a software thing? I'm about to send this MacBook Pro back and get a replacement, but that would be kind of pointless if this is a software problem caused by Leopard.
Anyone in the same situation?
S.

I have a MacBook Pro running 10.4.11, and mine started out having the exact same problems:
First, the keyboard took 2-3 minutes to be recognized after waking from sleep. Then, a few days later, the keyboard and trackpad would quit unexpectedly during use, took a few minutes to start working again. Then it went off a cliff from there. For the past 5 days, my keyboard and trackpad are not working whatsoever, I've tried all of the suggestions I can find online, nothing works. From the moment I startup, to the moment I shut down (thankfully I have a wireless Mighty Mouse) neither of them are recognized. I've had it on for 8 hours straight and it still didn't recognize the keyboard or trackpad. They don't show up in the system profiler under the USB section, and on top of that the on screen keyboard only types in lowercase, nothing happens when I hit the shift or Caps Lock key on the on screen keyboard.
I called Apple 4 days ago, they said that this is a priority issue and hope to have a fix out within a couple of weeks...yes...a couple of weeks, they said that they had the fix, and were just waiting on patents to go through (you have to be kidding me right?). Their temporary "fix" is to buy an external keyboard and mouse.
This is not by any means a Leopard only issue, and you can trace posts about this online all the way back to October 1, 2007, well before Leopard was released to the public.
The crazy thing is, if you look at this and don't assume it was caused by Apple, this bug behaves exactly like a virus, and a very well written one at that.
Message was edited by: adapaw

15" macbook pro unibody display problem

I just got a new 15" unibody MacBook Pro this past Thursday and am having issues with my display as well. I get these horizontal bands across the screen. It has happened about a half a dozen times since I got the machine. Only a reboot will make them go away. I did have third party RAM installed (Kingston). Could this be the source of the problem?
Message was edited by: Moderator

I just bought a MAC book pro 15 inch a week ago and the video had some big wavy lines. I am assuming this is the same issue you are talking about. I looked online and don't see too many 15 inch people complaining about it. I did see some 17 inchers complain. They have a firmware update for the 17 but not the 15.
I took my 15 incher back and they gave me a lot of crap for it. After some fighting they decided to exchange it for another one. I have it but am nervous to open the package. They told me if I open it I can't exchange it. They say I will have to send it in for repair. I don't want to send my crap off especially if it is brand new. I am considering taking it back for a cheaper mac book.
When I complained they went to a display model and it was doing the same thing. So you guys are complaining of the same issue as I had and the demo had it too. I have not seen anything from mac about this.
Not sure why I posted this maybe I was hoping someone could tell me good news. It kind of ***** I have paid 2700 for a computer that I am nervous to take out of the box.
I wish I would have just bought an older Gen. My G/F has an older gen for like 3 years and had no issues. I had one for a week and exchanged it back already.
They ran some diagnostic on it that said it passed but it was obvious there was a problem.
I am really disappointed.
Should I open it and be stuck and take my chances or should I take it back and get a mac book and save 1200 bucks?

Flickering problem with 2011 macbook pro unibody

I have a 17" 2011 Macbook Pro Unibody and when I connect the computer to the TV via Mini Display Port (HDMI), the TV is either not receiving any signal, or screen is flickering, however, my other 13" 2010 Macbook Pro Unibody has no problem when connected to the TV. Does anyone know the reason to the problem?

I had the same problem, and I cant say which fixed it, but i deleted the plist file then reset the pram and it worked
Quit System Preferences and delete...
Users/yourname/Library/Preferences /com.apple.systempreferences.plist
and to reset the pram reset the puter and before the chime hold alt+command+p+r and keep holding until you hear the chime a second time...
really hope this helps

Problem with my macbook pro multitouch trackpad with firefox beta 4

When i upgraded to firefox 4 beta, some of my macbook pro multitouch trackpad functions are not working properly,
the pinch on the trackpad is not working at all, meaning that i can not zoom in and out from the trackpad, i have to do it with command + and command -, but all other functions are working properly
note that i am not facing this trouble in any other application only in firefox, Safari is working properly

This post has helped most people with the problem: https://support.mozilla.com/bs/questions/781509
Mine still isn't working after this, though, and I don't know why... I used to like Firefox, too.

Late 2008 MacBook Pro unibody - Hard Freezes under Vista 32bit

Hi folks,
I am a relatively new Mac fan (started a few years ago when I purchased a Mac Mini for home because I didn't want to suffer Windows at home as well as at work!)
Anyhoo, late last year I purchased a MacBook Pro Unibody jobbie so that I could have the best of both worlds for my work. I can run Visual Studio under Vista for C++ development under boot-camp and run the Mac and OSX for just about everything else.
However: I have a problem that is testing my patience to brand new levels. In summary:
About once every couple of hours or so (and it's not reliable: could be after 30 seconds, could last several hours) Vista freezes. And I mean freeze: it takes a "hold the power button down" routine to get out of it. This, of course, has made Vista and lots of my work pretty upset. There's nothing quite like writing to a file when this happens for maximum tears. I'm running through tissues like you'd never believe
I have done some research on this over the months and have tried many possible solutions including, but not limited to, ensuring that I'm fully patched up and that there is no suspicious software, updating all the drivers (paying particular attention to NVIDIA's ones - as a DirectX/OpenGL programmer for the past 10 years I'm acutely aware of how touchy they are). None of these have worked.
The closest I've come to something that looks like a solution is this thingie called Riva Tuner; but it does not recognise the April 2009 NVIDIA drivers.
I understand that it could be linked with something NVIDIA's drivers do to speed up/slow down the cards depending on load/heat/whatever.
I'm so far down my tether at this point I really do not know where to turn. I love my MacBook, but I need Bootcamp and Vista to do my job. It was my choice to get a Mac rather than a PC, so I guess it's my own fault. I have seen many other users on the Internet who have the same problem but none of them appears to have a fool-proof resolution to this issue.
Thus, I thought I'd come here, get my best begging trousers on and grovel to Apple and to the learned users here to see if there is something that I can do to get everything working again so that I can continue to bask in the MacBook Pro glory knowing that my Vista installation is reliable.
Grovelling over,
Mr Cuttle.
Message was edited by: Mr Cuttle

Do you have anything against running Windows in a VM (virtual machine) under OSX to do your work? On the unibody, this is much more stable than boot camp in my experience.
here are the steps I took
1) install smcfancontrol in OSX
http://www.eidac.de/
2) install virtualbox free virtualization software from Sun Microsystems
http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/2.2.2/VirtualBox-2.2.2-46594-OSX.dmg
3) install Windows using virtualbox like normal; use smcfancontrol to bump fan speeds if it runs hot (normally not needed unless you watch video or game).
4) turn on seamless mode and run your windows apps side by side with OSX apps for free.
if you have issues setting it up, read here:
http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/UserManual.html
this video shows how it works, albeit with a weird Japanese game app instead of Visual C++
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z47MKa9Jdwk
and this screenshot that I took shows just how much you can do with this:
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/5916/picture1zdk.png

Can you swap an SSD from a MacBook pro C2Duo to an MacBook pro unibody

I have a very trusty 17" MacBook pro core 2 duo that's due for an upgrade. Is it possible to swap my current SSD from my MBP C2D to my new 17" MacBook pro unibody? Im thinking there might be a problem with drivers? It will save me a lot of hassle trying to reinstall all of my pro apps particularly FCP. If it comes to it I'll have to do a fresh install.
Thanks for any help

You have to install either the current OS that you were using on the new Mac or the version that Came on that new Mac when it was new. Not the OS that was on the drive when it was installed in the older Mac.
If Lion was the pre-installed OS on the new Mac that is what you have to install and there is only one way to do that. That is do use the Lion recovery system to Download Lion from the internet and then install it. Holding down the c key (or Command+c key) would do it.

ACD 30" Dual Link DVI and MacBook Pro Unibody

I have the following configuration:
ACD 30" Dual Link DVI and MacBook Pro Unibody
I am exhibiting some intermittent problems with the 30" display not coming up when I reboot for example and here are some more:
1. MacBook Pro not in clam-shell mode and restart equals 30" display not turning on
2. When in Snow Leopard and I have the MacBook Pro running in clam-shell mode and I open the display on the MacBook Pro it remains black.
3. When waking the MacBook Pro from sleeping (MacBook Pro in clam-shell) the 30" ACD is "grainy" and the display is not usable and it requires a reboot to solve the problem.
Any help? In addition are there any other displays using mini-display port to mini display port technology?
What about a different monitor; will I still have to use the Dual Link DVI adapter to drive a display with higher than 1920x1200 resolution?
Are there adapters to go from mini-display port to display port?
Thanks,
Mike

Just came across your post and i have a couple of suggestions ive noticed with the Dual-Link to Mini-DP with the same configuration.
When working in clamshell mode for example, the 30" will become the MAIN/Default display...So if you open your macbookpro while the 30" is on and the system is running, the screen will remain black because it is in closed mode; basically meaning there is no signal to be sent.
so if you want the display to show up, either restart or put into sleep mode, then wake the system WITH THE LID OPEN.
As for the grainy/static artifacts, its beena reported issue since day 1, not sure waht the fix or issue may be with it but heres a resolution.
Press; SHIFT CONTROL EJECT-KEY all at once, this will disable signal to the monitor, but not shut off the machine...then use your mouse or press a key on the keyboard to wake the display and the grainyness should disappear.

I'm looking for screws for the bottom of my macbook pro unibody.

I need screws for the bottom of my macbook pro unibody. They started falling out after I upgraded my RAM, apparently they had some type of threadlock on them. Apple was of little help and directed me to a an apple store or service center which is not convienent. So far, I've been only able to find the 'old' pack of 5 screws, not the pack of 10 that my mac requires. I did find one seller on ebay advertising them but would like to avoid that path if possible. Any help in this matter will be greatly appreaciated. Thanks

No this is not a common problem. Have you had the bottom off before?
The factory set screws you see a bit if blue lock tight which makes it more difficult the first time out.
They can replace the screws over the counter at any authorized repair service or Genius bar:
Genius reservation http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/
on-line https://getsupport.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.action
check warranty https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

2011 MacBook Pro loose trackpad

About a few weeks ago my three-month-old MacBook Pro's trackpad started making very noticable annoying "click" sound (especially on the right side), as if something was loose underneath. I went to my local Apple store, and the genius "tightened up the screws and cleaned out the debris". He said he didn't notice any difference, however the problem persists when I tested it. He offered to replace the trackpad for me free of charge (as my Mac is still in warranty), and the problem seemed to have gone away. However when I got home, the problem arose again, this time on the left side of the trackpad. It is a tiny "click" sound when putting very little amount of pressure on the trackpad (I did not press it down fully). It is not easily noticable, but very annoying indeed. Im probably going to visit them next week again to get the things right. Anyone having the same problem??

Mcfrankshc wrote:
It is a tiny "click" sound when putting very little amount of pressure on the trackpad (I did not press it down fully).
The trackpad will "click"when pressed as a feedback that the user have clicked (same as left mouse key) on something.
The "click" occours at very low pressure when pressing left, right, center or downside the pad.
For that i assume, your trackpad work as designed.
Cheers - Lupunus

Macbook pro touchpad/curser problems.

macbook pro touchpad curser problems. typing randomly jumps to wherever the curser is resting at the time. unbelievably maddening. multiple devices same all have same problem. hard to believe we cannot find anything on the apple site about this. MANY complaints outside of this site on this issue... clearly a touchpad/battery design flaw being ignored by Cupertino. during the writing of this post, the curser jumped randomly and started typing in a different location six times. IMPOSSIBLE to use as a word processor since typing becomes quite frustrating. HELP. any ideas? Fanboy and shareholder. three macbook pros in the house...all the same problem. (please do not offer separate keyboard as solution...this is a laptop, not a Surface Pro...)

Go step by step and test.
1. Restart
2. Shut down the computer.
    Clean the trackpad with moist not wet microfiber cloth.
    System Preferences > Point & Click
    Try turning off three finger dragging and then turning it on after testing.
3. Is there any Bluetooth device nearby with failing batteries? If so, replace the batteries.
4. Reset PRAM:   http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14222
5. Reset SMC.     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
    Choose the method for:
    "Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".
6. Close all windows and quit all applications.
    Click the Spotlight -the magnifying glass icon- in the menu bar. Enter Disk utility in the box.
    Select Disk Utility from the drop down. When the Disk utility window opens up,
    select Macintosh HD, then First Aid.
    Click Repair Disk Permissions button.
    Ignore the time remaining estimate.

Macbook Pro Retina Trackpad Issue

Has anyone had any issues with the Macbook Pro Retina Trackpad going to sleep. Whenever I start or restart my Macbook up and try to click on my User name to log in, the trackpad doesn't work. I have to navigate with the keypad and hit return. This also happens sometimes when I am using it as well, and I have use 2 fingers to press the Apple logo and then put the computer to sleep and wake it up again to get the trackpad to work. Any ideas what is causing this? I did initially think it was a program I installed called NoSleep, but I have since uninstalled this and still the same problems, although I have installed a similar program called Lid Sleep, but don't think this would cause a problem.
Thanks for any suggestions.

You have some type of hardware fault, IMHO. Best to take it to Apple hand have it checked out.

Detecting airport card in MacBook Pro unibody Mid 2009

I own Mid 2009 Macbook Pro Unibody. Airport was working fine, but now says No Airport card installed. Curious how I can check harware is present(no loose card). I saw other software related suggestions but did not resolve.
Shouldnt the airport card be listed under System Profiler --> Hardware ?
I see Airport under System Profiler --> Network, but only Software version details are present.
Many Thanks!

I have a 15.4" 2.66GHz Mid 2009 MBP on 10.6.1 and I am having a similar problem. I honestly do not recall having the issue before installing Snow Leopard. The problem I have is it seems whenever it first wakes from sleep I can instantly use the keyboard and enter my password to unlock it but the touchpad is almost completely unresponsive for the first 5 - 10 seconds then it starts responding some, but like was mentioned if I swipe with 2 fingers it seems to respond as it should with just 1 finger. After approx 1 minute or so it seems to fully wake up and then my touchpad works normally from then on. So it seems to only happen when first waking from sleep.

MacBook Pro Unibody (late 2008) crash when using GeForce 9600M GT

Every time I do heavy 3D rendering or play 3D games (such World of Warcraft) with the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, after few minutes my MacBook Pro (unibody, late 2008) freezes, black screen and audio looping, no actions possibile, only hard shutdown... No problems with the 9400M.
What should I do? Get a replacement?

I've had mine for a little less than two months and I noticed the overheating shortly after I got it. I think it's mostly because the fans don't spin up soon enough because the SMC controller on mine does not work properly and even if you reset it, it reverts back to only spinning the fans after a cpu/gpu temps over 90 degrees Celsius (almost boiling point!).
Mine is currently in for service but I'm being told that they haven't been able to duplicate the issue so I don't understand what method of testing they are using. I hope they don't keep my computer in repair for a long time. I know that if I fire up the Black & White 2 Demo, Call of Duty 4, or Spore and play for about 10-20 minutes the computer crashes if the fans don't spin up... Apple released a firmware update for the SMC controller but it doesn't apply to my model which is a MacBookPro 5,1 , maybe Apple doesn't realize yet how widespread the fan problem even on the late 2008 model is but it needs to be resolved and a third party utility to control the fans should not be necessary on the finest laptops available on the market. I'm confident that they will come up with something...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9115055&#9115055

Weird Macbook Pro Unibody Trackpad problem

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for