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Keyboard Backlight and MIDI Issues with my new "Late 2008" MBP

P

Pianoman1a

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 20, 2008
14
0
So I was very excited to purchase the newly released MacBook Pro yesterday even before my Apple Store had them on display.

Unfortunately, my excitement turned grim as the evening wore on.

After about 3 hours of normal usage, the keyboard backlighting just stopped working. I have searched the apple forums and nothing they have helps. The function keys to adjust it still show visual feedback on the screen when pressed (such that the illumination is increasing or decreasing) but nothing happens to the keys... Any suggestions?

Also, I installed the driver for my MIDI interface (that works perfectly with my 24-inch iMac) and it seems to be recognized. The lights on the interface work that it is registering notes in. It shows up as a device in the Audio/Midi setup app, and also in my music apps. But when I try to use it, nothing happens. Any suggestions on this problem?

Best part of it all... I live in New York City with 3 apple stores easily accessible, and there are absolutely NO OPEN GENIUS BAR appointments until Saturday. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope they are training their people to handle my new hardware, but really, 3 days?

Please help.... Thanks!
 
Nope, it was working in full light conditions. It doesn't seem to be linked with any ambient light sensor.
 
Try covering the speaker holes on the sides with your hands. Does the keyboard light up then? And does the screen brightness dim when you do that?
 
I tried to cover both speaker covers, and the area with the iSight camera. I also sat in a completely dark room and lowered the screen brightness. There is nothing that I can do to get it to work for me.
 
Same MIDI issue here

Hi Pianoman1a, I experiencing the exact MIDI issue with my brand new and lovely MBP Unibody. When I tried to work with my keyboard (Novation ReMOTE LE, which is Class Compliant), there was no result. The device is recognize by Audio/Midi setup and mostly by all musical softwares but it's like if no MIDI signal was transmit by the Keyboard, so when I press the notes, nothing happens.

Finale, Digital Performer 5, Reason 4, GarageBand 4, none of them understand my device. I also monitored the thing using MIDI Monitor and no message was read.

I migrated all my System-User-Settings-etc. via Migration Assistant from my 'ol PowerBook G4 12" 1.5GHz (the latest of its generation) under 10.5.5. On that machine, no problem at all with MIDI devices.

I pass all the day trying in vain to solve that annoying issue (for a musician). I can understand that not just the hardware can be the cause but also the 10.5.5 which is different on these MBP.

All my gear is not here but I'll try other further tests.

Anyone else as the same behavior or found the cure?
 
The FIX that worked for me...

Hey there...

I forgot to update this with the fix that I found with the help of both Apple specialists and the support staff at MidiMan.

Try plugging your stuff into a POWERED USB HUB. When I plugged in the AC adapter on my USB hub, everything suddenly worked.

I spoke with support staff further and was told that I just had to deal with that as the fix. Apparently, there is not enough power coming through either of the USB ports on the new MBP.

Let me know if you figure out any other fixes! Thanks!
 
Pianoman1a said:
Hey there...

I forgot to update this with the fix that I found with the help of both Apple specialists and the support staff at MidiMan.

Try plugging your stuff into a POWERED USB HUB. When I plugged in the AC adapter on my USB hub, everything suddenly worked.

I spoke with support staff further and was told that I just had to deal with that as the fix. Apparently, there is not enough power coming through either of the USB ports on the new MBP.

Let me know if you figure out any other fixes! Thanks!
Click to expand...

how u work a casio keyboard ctk-530
 
Solved (for me)

Pianoman1a said:
Hey there...

I forgot to update this with the fix that I found with the help of both Apple specialists and the support staff at MidiMan.

Try plugging your stuff into a POWERED USB HUB. When I plugged in the AC adapter on my USB hub, everything suddenly worked.

I spoke with support staff further and was told that I just had to deal with that as the fix. Apparently, there is not enough power coming through either of the USB ports on the new MBP.

Let me know if you figure out any other fixes! Thanks!
Click to expand...


Voltage, dear voltage !!!

Thanks for the cue, it happens to work. That finally was the solution (until they fix it). I can't imagine why Apple lowered their USB port's voltage. Maybe that's why it's Energy Star !

Anyway, it works, I can now figure to use my MBP on show.

Many thanks.
 
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