Weird keyboard and trackpad behavior

[farmaceut]

Hello,
My mother has MacBook Pro mid 2012 with MacOS Catalina

Today, the laptop has freezed and she reset it. Since that, the keyboard at the login panel works weirdly: some keys doesn’t, some work as backspace, and the others actually run fine.

We managed to reset password to the numerical one just to log in. Upon login nothing’s strange but after a few minutes trackpad click swaps to right click and there’s no option to change it.

Upon resetting, both the problems persist.

I tried to reset SMC but cannot since P key doesn’t work. interestingly, Bluetooth keyboard neither and I don’t have USB one at home now.

What could be the problem. How to fix it. Thanks a lot

 

[Fishrrman]

Has the battery ever been replaced?
Wondering if it could be a slightly swollen battery, pressing against internal components.

You didn't tell us whether it's the retina or non-retina 2012 model.

IF it's the non-retina (with the DVD drive), the battery is simple to replace yourself.
The retina version (slimmer, with no DVD) is considerably more involved.

At 12 years old, it's probably not worth paying to have this repaired now...
(other than replacing the battery IF it's the 2012 "unibody" version with the DVD)

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Could be an intermittently sticking Control key causing the trackpad to swap to "right-click."

But pretty much academic at this point - @Fishrrman has it right; not worth the cost to repair unless you can confirm it's due to a swollen battery (e.g. remove the bottom to relieve battery pressure; if the issue goes away THEN pay for a new battery).

 

[farmaceut]

I took the battery off. Unfortunately, the problem remains. I even opened MacBook, get to the keyboard and cleaned it, no success. Moreover, Capslock no longer lights green when on. Ah, and this is non retina

 

[BigTimEnergy]

I can’t believe Mid-2012 MacBook Pro are still kicking, even with an SSD the processor makes them pretty painful.

Any chance of liquid damage on the trackpad cable? Could be corrosion on the IPD cable.

 

[diego.caraballo]

I took the battery off. Unfortunately, the problem remains. I even opened MacBook, get to the keyboard and cleaned it, no success. Moreover, Capslock no longer lights green when on. Ah, and this is non retina

25 bucks and a a couple of hours and you are good to go.

 

[farmaceut]

I can’t believe Mid-2012 MacBook Pro are still kicking, even with an SSD the processor makes them pretty painful.

Any chance of liquid damage on the trackpad cable? Could be corrosion on the IPD cable.

Yes. It’s my mother’s computer. She uses it for YouTube and some basic things. Perfect for that purpose!

I am not sure, opened it, check the cables and circuits, seen nothing. Anyway - gotta change