MacBook Pro trackpad problem

[juniper]

I have a 2009 MacBook Pro and the trackpad's been cranky the last couple of days.

When I try to click on a link, or in the url address box, or in a document, or on a desktop icon, or pretty much do anything with it, the "click" isn't taking on the first, second, third, more attempt.

I searched for help online and some people suggested changing the preferences settings. Tried that, nothing seems to help. Tried clicking on different parts of the trackpad and that doesn't help either.

Apple store is 27 miles away, can't get there until Wednesday, so I made an appt with the genius bar for then. I think I'm still under warranty -- I hope so.

This morning I scurried over to Best Buy and bought a Logitech wireless mouse to use until I get the trackpad fixed. Then I had to come to work and won't be home until late tonight to see if the mouse works.

Do you think it's a simple fix for the trackpad or something more serious? I know you can't diagnose without seeing it, but what do you think?

[kuwisdelu]

When I try to click on a link, or in the url address box, or in a document, or on a desktop icon, or pretty much do anything with it, the "click" isn't taking on the first, second, third, more attempt.

Are you literally "clicking" down on the trackpad, or are you using tap-to-click? If it's the former, try enabling the latter and see if that works. If it's the latter, does the former work?

Also, test to see if you might have other parts of your hand or any fingers on the trackpad when it's doing this. It's possible it's ignoring the clicks due to conflicting input.

There was an issue in some of the pre-unibody models where swelling batteries would interfere with trackpad clicks, but that shouldn't effect any 2009 models.

Apple store is 20 miles away, can't get there until Wednesday, so I made an appt with the genius bar for then. I think I'm still under warranty -- I hope so.

Did you purchase AppleCare? If so, you're still good for at least another year. If you didn't, then you're out of warranty.

Do you think it's a simple fix for the trackpad or something more serious? I know you can't diagnose without seeing it, but what do you think?

It's hard to say. Worse comes to worse, if you don't have AppleCare, you'll have to pay for them to replace it. When my trackpad was screwy on my 2007 MacBook, it was due to the swollen battery issue, and I just needed a new battery. Really hard to say.

[Medievalist]

I would try:

1. Creating a new test account and seeing if the problem is there.

2. Powering down the laptop. Unplug it. Unseat the battery, a leave it out for five minutes or so, then putting it back, plugging it in, and rebooting.

NOTE THAT THIS MAY ALTER YOUR DATE AND TIME AND SOME OTHER SYSTEM PREFERENCE SETTINGS.

[kuwisdelu]

Unseat the battery, a leave it out for five minutes or so, then putting it back, plugging it in, and rebooting.

Not in a 2009 Unibody MacBook Pro I wouldn't, unless I really knew what I was doing. That involves tri-wring screws and a spudger and isn't considered a user-serviceable part. It's not that hard, but don't do it if you're still under warranty and plan to take it into an Apple Store soon.

Alternatively, you could try a PRAM reset (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379).

[juniper]

The tap-to-click seems to work, but the actual pressing down on the trackpad doesn't. I don't like tap-to-click much. So easy to accidentally "tap."

But it's not just that - funny things are happening - windows opening by themselves etc. So something's haywire ...

I'm not nearly techy enough to attempt any kind of repair other than reboot/shut down. So I'll go talk to the genius bar Wednesday morning. Don't remember but I think I did pay for Apple Care. Haven't needed it though.

Funny, I'm kinda liking the wireless mouse. Might keep it.

[kuwisdelu]

But it's not just that - funny things are happening - windows opening by themselves etc. So something's haywire ...

Did you recently upgrade anything?

As Medi mentioned, does any of this happen under a new user account instead of your usual one?

[juniper]

I created a test account this morning - after I got some sleep, burned out last night - and tried working with that. Same problem.

We must have a Luddite gremlin at home - my husband's phone charger died sometime yesterday, so his phone his dead too, so his alarm didn't go off, so he was late to the chess tournament this morning.

Using the mouse for now but will take the MacBook to the genius bar on Wednesday. Thanks to you both for your suggestions.

Oh - and the funny other things, about the windows opening by themselves - don't happen with the mouse. Just when I try to use the trackpad.

[kuwisdelu]

I'd take the mouse in with you, too, so you can show them that it only happens with the trackpad. At least that means it's probably not something too wonky with the system itself, and it's just either some corrupted trackpad settings or the trackpad itself. If you've got AppleCare, and it's not something in software too difficult to diagnose over the net, they might just end up replacing the trackpad for you.

[juniper]

Ok, got to the Apple store yesterday morning. Took the mouse in, showed them the test account that had the same problem, the blue shirt guy played with it a couple of minutes then said, "Need to replace the trackpad. One to three days turnaround."

He checked and they had one in stock, so he said it might be on the quicker side. And he checked the serial number and I *had* purchased Apple Care so this was a warranty repair, no cost.

I sadly turned it in yesterday about 10:30 am and gladly picked it up tonight about 8 pm. Works fine now.

I used our little Dell netbook in the meantime, which was ok for short term use, but so nice to have my MacBook back! I think I'll keep using the mouse for some things. I like the scroll on the trackpad but a mouse is better for precision, for me.

[Margarita Skies]

I've never had track pad problems with this Toshiba but with the Dell I am using I had that problem the other day. Major annoying. I restarted the computer and it was okay. No problem.



Try restarting the machine by using your keys and start it up again the normal way.

[kuwisdelu]

Ok, got to the Apple store yesterday morning. Took the mouse in, showed them the test account that had the same problem, the blue shirt guy played with it a couple of minutes then said, "Need to replace the trackpad. One to three days turnaround."

He checked and they had one in stock, so he said it might be on the quicker side. And he checked the serial number and I *had* purchased Apple Care so this was a warranty repair, no cost.

I sadly turned it in yesterday about 10:30 am and gladly picked it up tonight about 8 pm. Works fine now.

I used our little Dell netbook in the meantime, which was ok for short term use, but so nice to have my MacBook back! I think I'll keep using the mouse for some things. I like the scroll on the trackpad but a mouse is better for precision, for me.

That's good to hear.

I've never had track pad problems with this Toshiba but with the Dell I am using I had that problem the other day. Major annoying. I restarted the computer and it was okay. No problem.

Try restarting the machine by using your keys and start it up again the normal way.

Nah, it was a hardware problem. No amount of restarting is going to help that. Just needed a replacement.

[Margarita Skies]

That's good to hear.



Nah, it was a hardware problem. No amount of restarting is going to help that. Just needed a replacement.



I am glad Juniper had his or her problem resolved. My laptop is all messed up, even the keyboard malfunctions sometimes, and the computer freezes up, especially when it saves words to a large word-processing programs such as one of my manuscripts so I've made up my mind and I am getting another computer by this December at the latest, a netbook, so it's easier to carry around and I can use it wherever in the house or out of the house I want to without having to worry about it falling from my lap.

[kuwisdelu]

I am glad Juniper had his or her problem resolved. My laptop is all messed up, even the keyboard malfunctions sometimes, and the computer freezes up, especially when it saves words to a large word-processing programs such as one of my manuscripts so I've made up my mind and I am getting another computer by this December at the latest, a netbook, so it's easier to carry around and I can use it wherever in the house or out of the house I want to without having to worry about it falling from my lap.

You might want to rule out software problems before replacing it wholesale.

I wouldn't really expect a netbook to be any more robust. I know not everyone can afford much more than the price of a netbook when computer shopping, but if you can can swing it, I'd look into an ultrabook (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrabook) instead.

[Medievalist]

Some basic things to look at with general computer malfuctions:

1. Do you have at least 10% of the hard drive free/empty?

2. Do you have sufficient RAM?

3. Are all the cables in good shape, and firmly plugged in?

4. Are the RAM and the drive in good physical shape? Do the pass the standard OS utility checks?

5. Is the computer free of malware?