Touchpad problem on Mac (1 Viewer)

scotjimland

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The touchpad on my Mac G4 Powerbook has an odd problem, it only works on the left hand side.. about 25% of the total area .. the button is ok and an external mouse works ok ..

I've searched the Mac sites and tried the following:

* Cleaned the surface
* Done a hardware check . all OK
* Opened up and checked inside for a loose ribbon connection or dust
* Reset the PRM as per Apple instructions
* As a last resort, reformatted and installed a fresh OS X


All to no avail :Sad: Any suggestions ??
 
Nov 12, 2010
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The touchpad on my Mac G4 Powerbook has an odd problem, it only works on the left hand side.. about 25% of the total area .. the button is ok and an external mouse works ok ..

I've searched the Mac sites and tried the following:

* Cleaned the surface
* Done a hardware check . all OK
* Opened up and checked inside for a loose ribbon connection or dust
* Reset the PRM as per Apple instructions
* As a last resort, reformatted and installed a fresh OS X


All to no avail :Sad: Any suggestions ??

A bit "off the wall" but have a look at this page; Link Removed , this guy reports that he had a similar problem caused by a deformed battery. Try to avoid any suggestions about changing the case top panel, just had to have it done on my Macbook Pro and it cost a mere €400 to have it done.
Good Luck
 

JeanLuc

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Sounds like a hardware problem Jim, despite your check reporting it as OK. Have you been to Sys Prefs and switched off any gestures and the option to ignore accidental trackpad input? It occurred to me that a hardware fault might have affected the pad's sensitivity on the right-hand side.
Other than that, I'm at a loss. I guess it is quite an aged trackpad, so may have reached the end of serviceable life? A trip to the Apple store service desk may be the only option.

Philip
 
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scotjimland

scotjimland

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Trade up to a PC ::bigsmile:

Bea me to it Jim ::bigsmile:

Thanks guys, I knew I could depend on the PC brigade for sympathy :Sad:

A bit "off the wall" but have a look at this page; Link Removed , this guy reports that he had a similar problem caused by a deformed battery. Try to avoid any suggestions about changing the case top panel, just had to have it done on my Macbook Pro and it cost a mere €400 to have it done.
Good Luck

Thank, read that post yesterday .. my battery is old but ok ..
Sounds like a hardware problem Jim, despite your check reporting it as OK. Have you been to Sys Prefs and switched off any gestures and the option to ignore accidental trackpad input? It occurred to me that a hardware fault might have affected the pad's sensitivity on the right-hand side.
Other than that, I'm at a loss. I guess it is quite an aged trackpad, so may have reached the end of serviceable life? A trip to the Apple store service desk may be the only option.

Philip

Thanks Philip , I was coming to the same conclusion .. but not giving up on fixing , will have another look at the gubbins today, nothing to lose ..

To be honest, if it needs a new top case then I think I'll sell it for spares or repair, the screen also needs renewing ( has a broad white band on the left and two other pixel width vertical lines, so we are looking at the thick end of £600 for parts , which doesn't make economic sense on a six year old Mac ... :cry:


EDIT

Concluded that touch pad is faulty .
Second hand top case £105 (includes touchpad)
Screen: Grabe B £150 New £210

so, £260 to buy parts .. or save up for a new Powerbook ..

I'll ask Santa ,... I think he is still taking orders..

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Pikey Pete

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Well you won't get a 'new' Powerbook but a MacBook Pro. would be a good idea:thumb:

Pete:Cool:
 

dazzer

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Its an Apple machine....get your money out and get it fixed (at 10 times the cost that any other lappy would cost to be fixed!!)

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Oct 1, 2007
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would an ordinary tailed keyboard and mouse work using usb temporary

ive only just become a mac user
so i am probably daft
just ignore me for making stupid suggestions
 
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scotjimland

scotjimland

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would an ordinary tailed keyboard and mouse work using usb temporary

ive only just become a mac user
so i am probably daft
just ignore me for making stupid suggestions

Hi

not stupid at all, yes that would work..

however, my keyboard is fine , and I'm using a Bluetooth mouse .. :Smile:

Bear in mind, this Mac has had six years of hard use, including three while full time in a motorhome where it had it's fair share of rattling around the dashboard when being used as a Sat Nav .. so it aint done so bad :winky:

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Oct 1, 2007
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would one these help £59;00
if the attachement works

nope didnt work
 

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Oct 1, 2007
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what is it ?

sorry havent got to grips with macing moment right clicking in m/soft used to r/click
on web addresses and then paste not so with apple

but do a search for apple magic trackpad
they are listed on apple its wireless
its an aluminium plate resting on a tube containing the battery size approx 5" x 5":thumb:
looks better than i describe

it works like an oversized pad on a lappy but no buttons just pressure left or right

when missmanagement insistead i bought one (ground her down)
1st fella said i could swop mouse to trackpad

3rd fella lost the will to live two hours later and threw it in for free

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scotjimland

scotjimland

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Jul 25, 2007
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sorry havent got to grips with macing moment right clicking in m/soft used to r/click
on web addresses and then paste not so with apple

but do a search for apple magic trackpad
they are listed on apple its wireless about
its an aluminium plate resting on a tube containing the battery size approx 5" x 5":thumb:

ahh yes, I know what you are showing me now .. as supplied with the iMacs, not sure if it works with the older PPC macs.. probably not ..
My Bluetooth mouse is pretty good , but it's odd not having the trackpad working.
 
Oct 1, 2007
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ahh yes, I know what you are showing me now .. as supplied with the iMacs, not sure if it works with the older PPC macs.. probably not ..
My Bluetooth mouse is pretty good , but it's odd not having the trackpad working.



at work we use a keyboard in the van cab, with a trackpad to all intents and purposes its a lappy keyboard on a wire/usb
lappy in a safe in the rear


i use one on my dell lappy
(fixed in position higher than needed)

extra keyboard sat on a pull out tray

ill get a pick of the keyboard tommorrow

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Oct 1, 2007
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Between Motor homes
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since 08
at work we use a keyboard in the van cab, with a trackpad to all intents and purposes its a lappy keyboard on a wire/usb
lappy in a safe in the rear


i use one on my dell lappy
(fixed in position higher than needed)

extra keyboard sat on a pull out tray

ill get a pick of the keyboard tommorrow


pics jim keyboard in the van
 

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