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MBP SR Keyboard issue

A

angrygolfer

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 25, 2007
272
0
PA
I have had my MBP for just over a week now. I am having a problem with the keyboard. Basically what happens is if it sits for a few minutes, then you start typing, it doesn't register the fist letter you type. It never registers so it's not a delay. The worst part is its intermittent. There is no rhyme or reason for when it happens.

Has anyone besides me experienced this?
 
I have the same exact MBP configuration... got mine on the day the SR MBP's came out. I never had this problem, until a few days ago. Sometimes the keyboard cuts out, sometimes it is the trackpad, sometimes both. When the keyboard stops working, not even the capslock key works. It varies from momentarily to several minutes. Sometimes I'll have no problems for hours on end, then will become totally unusable.

I've had to resort to using a bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I can't afford to be without my computer for long, and unfortunately Thanksgiving weekend is the first opportunity I will have to be near an Apple Store. =(

When the keyboard and trackpad glitch out, I get a message in Parallels:
You are trying to connect USB HID device to the virtual machine. The device connected to the virtual machine will be inaccessible in Mac OS X until it is disconnected from the virtual machine or until the virtual machine is stopped or suspended. If you connect your primary keyboard or mouse to the virtual machine, it will be impossible to use them in Mac OS X. Do you want to connect this USB HID device to the virtual machine?

I usually get that message when I connect an external mouse or keyboard... it almost seems like my computer is randomly disconnecting the keyboard/trackpad from the usb or one of the connections to the keyboard/trackpad are loose inside the case.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. =)
 
chrisbeebops said:
I usually get that message when I connect an external mouse or keyboard... it almost seems like my computer is randomly disconnecting the keyboard/trackpad from the usb or one of the connections to the keyboard/trackpad are loose inside the case.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. =)
Click to expand...

I have a 2.16 SR MBP as well, sounds like the same thing you guys have.

SAME problem. I can't believe it. Mine started about 4 weeks ago, completely intermittent, completely unreliable.
Today it has gone off the charts, however. I can barely get any work done. It's fortunate I've just bought a bluetooth keyboard, but this is excessive and horrible. I'm going in to the apple store tomorrow; I'll report back on my findings.

My guess is that there's a corroded or severed wire on the keyboard that's causing it to drop out occasionally- that would explain why you're seeing Parallels report on it; and would explain why the capslock key isn't giving anything.

I'll let you know what I find out, but I'm close to enraged right now. Grr.
 
Yeah I supposed a corroded contact would cause this... I just don't understand why it would show no signs of problems for over 4 months, and then suddenly start freaking out without warning. =( I take good care of my mbp, always in a nice padded case. =)

Ah well... I guess I'll have to deal with it until later this month... if that is the only problem I will ever have with this laptop then I'll be happy. =)
 
I had this exact same issue, it's related to the small 4 pin cable that runs into the circuitry under the trackpad. You can see it by removing the battery. For some reason this connection can become loose over time. What I did was flip the tab on the front of the connector upwards to completely release the cable, then I pushed the cable in forwards and locked the mechanism again by flipping the small tab back down. Be very careful when performing this operation as the tab is delicate, and this cable provides the physical connection for the trackpad keyboard and ambient light sensors to the logic board, or alternatively visit a genius bar.
 
diego2k7 said:
I had this exact same issue, it's related to the small 4 pin cable that runs into the circuitry under the trackpad. You can see it by removing the battery. For some reason this connection can become loose over time. What I did was flip the tab on the front of the connector upwards to completely release the cable, then I pushed the cable in forwards and locked the mechanism again by flipping the small tab back down. Be very careful when performing this operation as the tab is delicate, and this cable provides the physical connection for the trackpad keyboard and ambient light sensors to the logic board, or alternatively visit a genius bar.
Click to expand...

Are you saying this can be fixed by poking around the battery bay? I don't want to open my mbp up and void the warranty...
 
OK Thanks I see what you mean now. If you put some pressure on the area directly between the keyboard and trackpad, it will start working again. I put a thin piece of cardboard between the battery and laptop, and that is giving the thing enough pressure to hold the connector on solid. That should do it until I am able to bring the laptop in for service. =)
 
I have that issue as well. Had it since I got the MBP in July.

I just lived with it. Didn't know there's a easy solution to this.

Still probably won't bother to have it fixed, lol.
 
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