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MacBook: Bad up arrow key

K

knapkin

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 21, 2005
33
1
I am on my second MacBook now; both have had the same problem with the up arrow key.

When pressing the up arrow key with the same force as the other arrow keys, is does not always respond. To reproduce this, open any app that has a vertical scroll bar. Press the down arrow key a few times, then press the up arrow key a few times.

I notice that unless I press the up arrow key about twice as hard as normal, I get about a 50% response.

In addition, the up arrow key is the only key that I can depress fully, but softly and get no response.

Can anyone confirm this issue?

I am worried that since this has happend on two new MacBooks, it may be a systematic problem.

Edit: This is a black MacBook.
 
My problem is with the right arrow key; similar to yours but not too serious. It sometimes takes an extra push to get it to respond, while all of the other keys respond perfectly.
 
The cursor keys were fine on the 4 Macbooks I had, however I did have issues with the keyboard on all of them on the left hand side. If you press the keys around the A,S,D,W keys you will notice a different feel/sound compared to the right hand side - due to there being more space in the underlying case around there. the main problem was that the keyboard surround has a tendency to curve and rise up around there.
 
I just got back from the apple store. I took my second one there hoping for a new keyboard. Anyway, the emplyees their all mashed the arrow keys and of course saw nothing.

I was then told that even if I had to press one key harder than normal to get it to work that the notebook was to spec. I take serious issue with that. There is no excuse for not having all keys working as they should on a keyboard.
 
wow thats too bad they wont replace that key for you at least. Before I bought my macbook i was playing with the various ones on display and I noticed that one of the macbooks had this same problem except with the down arrow. I figured it was due to the abuse it gets as a display model.
 
Thanks. I love the OS, but I don't feel like being treated like a moron again.

I'm trying to justify not switching back to Dell/Lenovo/Sony+Linux.
 
While the demanding method can work, we should all remember the story of iGary, from the Second Epistle of Tribulations, of Chapter XIV. He did not get angry, and was offered a G5 Quad as a replacement. I believe the thread is still floating around somewhere, search for iGary, and I think the thread's name had something about "frackin troubles".
 
same issue with the down arrow key here. I like OSX, too, but any OS sucks on a machine with a defective key...
 
I have a guess from what I've read; I suspect that at least one arrow key on all of the MacBooks is touchy. My suspicion is that since not many people use these keys while typing, it has gone unnoticed by the majority of users.

For those of you who say you are not affected, do you type with the arrows, or just tap them (often times with the middle finger) while moving around a page?
 
solution

SOLUTION:

1) Remove key
a) light up keyboard
b) slightly pull up the key from one side
b) Use needle to push on two plastic pins that are inserted into metal staples
c) Shift the key to the side opposite to these pins. It will be detached completely;

2) Glue some round plate to the center of back side of the key, thickness is about 0.3 mm. I used several layers of scotch tape to achieve desired thickness.

3) Insert the key back to keyboard. You will need deftness and patience. :)

I've fixed two keys this ways, they work fine so far...
 
Lexa-a, by golly you're right. Thank you! Fixed it.

You're also right about it requiring deftness and patience; not recommended for those who aren't good at putting puzzles together or working with tiny things. It could go terribly wrong.

I think I used too many layers of tape (six). Shoulda used maybe three or four because now the key sits just slightly higher than the rest. Might redo it someday but am afraid of breaking it.

Recommend setting up with your keyboard at comfortable eye level. You really have to get your face right into it. :)
 
OK, I'm afflicted too. WTF is "Round Plate?"

My macbook 2ghz/white has a crummy left-arrow key. I did discover that if you hit it dead-on center, it has far better results than lazily hitting the lower corners of the key, thus making it depress slightly diagonally. I've experimented with the character keys (pressing just a hair's breadth onto the corner of the key) and it doesn't seem to be an issue for them. Just the arrow key.

I see there's a solution that two people like, but I have no idea what "round plate" is. I have round plates in the kitchen, but the porcelain interferes with the contacts.

Also, is there a recommended glue? Elmers? Krazy? Epoxy? Contact cement? Model glue? Gorilla? Eyamrubberur Glue?

Thanks. I use that arrow key a lot, I'm finding.
 
What lexa-a should have said is that you make a little round plate out of several layers of scotch tape. I attached several layers of tape (on top of each other) on a glass surface (use anything you're not afraid of scratching). Then I used a single edge razor blade to cut out a tiny round "plate" of tape to apply to the underside of the key. I didn't use any glue other than the adhesive on the tape itself. I still wonder if it will work its way out of place later. Perhaps I should have used some Super Glue.

This solution is a vast improvement, however it isn't a complete fix. The key I worked on is still not quite as sensitive as the others on the keyboard but works better than before. It is difficult to detach and reattach the key, so be aware of that and be patient if you intend to try it. Good luck.
 
Down key for me on my black c2d macbook. There's no way I'm messing with it. I'll be going to see a "genius" first.

There's also a bulge on the top left of the machine near where the escape key is. Not big enough top worry about but if it gets any bigger then it'll be going back.

I wish they made a 13.3 MBP I'd have gladly paid the extra.
 
It's interesting but I have also noticed that you have to press the keys on the whole keyboard quite hard to get them to register. Mildly irritating at the moment.
 
right arrow key problems

I have had the same problem with my right arrow key. it takes more force to get it to respond, and i have to hit it dead center. A bit frustrating since I use it all the time. I have a black MacBook 2.0Ghz
 
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