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View Full Version : "my "T" key is stuck, MB starts in Target Disk Mode, what can I do?



Katvelt88
Feb 8, 2010, 06:57 PM
Earlier today I found that one of my keys (T) stopped working. I turned off my macbook and when I turned it on again, the screen was gray with a big icon floating across the screen. What happened? :confused:


spinnerlys
Feb 8, 2010, 07:03 PM
You are probably in Target Disk Mode (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_Disk_Mode), which is triggered by holding down the "T" key right after the power button is pushed.

The symbol you are seeing is the symbol for Firewire.
http://www.shufflegazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Target_Disk_Mode_Screen.png

Can you see if the T key is stuck somehow?

Also what Mac do you have? MacBook (white, aluminium unibody or white unibody) or iBook, and when did you buy it (month and year if new)?

Do you still have warranty?
Katvelt88
Feb 8, 2010, 07:09 PM
I have the white macbook (not the new one, but the one that keeps chipping) and I've had it for about 2 years now..I removed the T key cover to see if it was stuck but it would not work :( and I think my warranty may be up...
spinnerlys
Feb 8, 2010, 07:14 PM
If you have not bought the Extended Apple Care Protection Plan in the first year of your purchase, or not any other warranty the seller of your MacBook has offered, then you're out of warranty.

Maybe change the thread title to something like "my "T" key is stuck, MB starts in Target Disk Mode, what can I do?"

To edit your thread title, just click on the http://images.macrumors.com/vb/images/buttons/edit.gif button on the bottom right of your original post and then click the "Go Advanced" button below your message.
Katvelt88
Feb 8, 2010, 07:18 PM
ok, thank you!
spinnerlys
Feb 8, 2010, 07:25 PM
Have you searched the forums for similar problems, it doesn't need to be the "T" key though?
MRoogle (http://mroogle.edesignuk.com/) is quite a good tool to search these forums.
Katvelt88
Feb 8, 2010, 07:33 PM
I'm looking at it now, didn't know this existed. I'm just looking for a way to get out of target disk mode, so that it can load normally...I'm still trying to figure out how this happened.
spinnerlys
Feb 8, 2010, 07:38 PM
Has any sticky fluid come into contact with your keyboard?

http://images.macrumors.com/vb/images/buttons/edit.gif

There are other sticky fluids besides the one coming out the orifices of the animal body. Orange juice, beer, wine, cola, lemonade and so on.
Surely
Feb 8, 2010, 07:39 PM
Has any sticky fluid come into contact with your keyboard?

Ewwwww........:eek:
Katvelt88
Feb 8, 2010, 07:43 PM
Has any sticky fluid come into contact with your keyboard?

yes but I wiped it up...dang cereal :(
spinnerlys
Feb 8, 2010, 07:47 PM
yes but I wiped it up...dang cereal :(

The this might be the culprit. Do you think you can clean that with some handy tool you might have lying around? Like a toothbrush or something similar?

But it only works if the T cover is removed as you already did.
Katvelt88
Feb 8, 2010, 07:53 PM
The this might be the culprit. Do you think you can clean that with some handy tool you might have lying around? Like a toothbrush or something similar?

But it only works if the T cover is removed as you already did.

Yes I could do that, I would probably have to remove more keys in the process. I've been leaning towards getting a new laptop anyway, and this may be it for that humpty dumpty looking thing.
fluffyx
Feb 9, 2010, 09:19 PM
You need a new keyboard. You're welcome to try, but I don't think cleaning your MacBook's keyboard is going to fix it.

I suggest you call some local Mac repair shops and get a quote on replacing the keyboard (or they might call it a "top case").

Our price for that repair is pretty competitive: $150, which includes parts, labor, shipping, and tax.
JacaByte
Feb 9, 2010, 10:09 PM
The 15" Unibody MBP has 56 screws holding in the keyboard. If Apple went off the same design for their polycarb 2008 Macbook, well, uh, that's a lot of tiny black screws to take out and put back in. I'm sure whoever is screwing and unscrewing all those will enjoy doing that.
Katvelt88
Feb 10, 2010, 03:05 PM
You need a new keyboard. You're welcome to try, but I don't think cleaning your MacBook's keyboard is going to fix it.

I suggest you call some local Mac repair shops and get a quote on replacing the keyboard (or they might call it a "top case").

Our price for that repair is pretty competitive: $150, which includes parts, labor, shipping, and tax.

I booted it back in safe mode and now some other keys won't work (including the ones I need to log in). Would a wireless keyboard work for now until I get it repaired?
spinnerlys
Feb 10, 2010, 03:09 PM
I booted it back in safe mode and now some other keys won't work (including the ones I need to log in). Would a wireless keyboard work for now until I get it repaired?

A wired keyboard would be better during booting, but a wireless might work too.

But if any of the keys on the MB's keyboard are stuck, even the external keyboard will not help you, because it does not disable the internal keyboard.