Keyboard and Mighty Mouse not working, Apple won't replace

[Matt T]

A few days ago, I was cleaning my keyboard and Mighty Mouse with a damp cloth and ever since they have not been working; the majority of keys on my keyboard register as others (for example, I press "H" and I get an input of "oj*[[") and my Mighty Mouse's scrollball no longer works as a third button.

I've checked my preferences and everything is okay in that sense - I've got a feeling that some water may have squeezed out of my cloth and gotten into my keyboard and MM.

I just got off the phone with Apple and explained my situation (although I didn't mention the water), and I was told I would either have to do a full format of OS X or visit my nearest Apple Centre, which is conveniently located 4 hours from my house. When I asked if it was possible to do this by mail, my response was "only iPod repairs can be done by mail". I purchased my iMac in September, so I'm well within warranty here, and I'm finding this ridiculous.

I need these for work and school, so it's extremely inconvenient (if not impossible) for me to drive 8 hours to and from an Apple centre just for a keyboard and mouse.

Is there any chance the water will dry and my keyboard and MM will start functioning again? I'm seriously considering simply buying a new keyboard and MM, but that would be an amazing waste of money since I'm covered by warranty and this level of service from Apple is simply unacceptable.

 

[mad jew]

I don't really think this is unacceptable considering that Apple make no claims as to whether their products are waterproof.

Nevertheless, turn the devices off for a good 24 hours. If they're wireless, take their batteries out and leave the compartments open. Tomorrow, reconnect them and see how things go. If you're still having issues, create a new user account in System Preferences so we can rule out any problems that may be sourced from your current user account. In many way, this is as effective as a full reinstall. If they're wireless devices, remove them from the syncing items and then re-add them.

 

[siurpeeman]

it isn't exactly covered under warranty due to the water, is it? i'd suck it up and buy a new keyboard and mouse.

 

[Matt T]

But I didn't mention anything about the water. As far as the Apple rep was concerned, they both just stopped working. My main complaint here is that there is no mail-in repair service considering there are only a handful of suitable centres for this sort of thing in Australia. You'd think that with so few stores that offer Apple repairs, Apple would have some sort of mail-in repairs service in place for Mac's - iPod's can be sent in by mail, but not Macs.

 

[mad jew]

In that case, I put this one down to karma. Steve's big on karma. That's probably why he hasn't started a mail-in service centre yet...