MacBook trackpad and keyboard not working after disassembly/reassembly

[ivyroller]

Hi there, I'm a newbie to this forum and haven't been able to find a solution to my specific problem(s) after searching the archives. I disassembled my 1st generation MacBook to repair a jammed optical drive. Well, now I have two new problems:

The first is while testing my repaired optical drive (I tested it while the laptop was still partially disassembled, and the optical drive does now work) I noticed the track pad and keyboard were not functioning. Obviously the power button works, and the machine booted fine, but the trackpad and the entire keyboard don't work at all. I had to plug a mouse in to move the pointer. I should note that yes, the trackpad cable was indeed firmly plugged in. *However, at one point while trying to reassemble the top case, the trackpad cable detached from the plastic piece that plugs it into the logic board. I removed the plastic piece, slid it back into place over the wires of the trackpad cable and then plugged it back in to the logic board. So I'm wondering if this means I now need a new trackpad cable?

The second problem is that upon full reassembly, the machine will not turn on. The power button simply doesn't work when the top case is firmly back in place and the rest of the machine (screws, l-bracket, battery, etc.) is completely reassembled. I have no idea what might be causing this. Any advice is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

Sounds like bad connections (obviously first thing to check). You'll have to take it all apart again and make sure your connections are complete and snug. If you did break one of the connectors, you'll probably need a new one.

 

[chrismacguy]

Im just going to add my extra 2p here:

As well as making sure everything is firmly reconnected - also check you haven't broken any solder etc - as those sorts of things are brittle and could quite easily of broken without you noticing

 

[ivyroller]

Thanks for the advice. I've disassembled and reassembled the MacBook at least half a dozen times, thoroughly checking that every connection is indeed snug. Which just leads me to believe that when the trackpad cable wires became detached from that little plastic piece that plugs into the logic board it must have broken the existing solders.

However, I still cannot figure out why when the top case is firmly in place and the laptop completely assembled the power button does not work. It will only work while the top case is simply attached by the trackpad cable but not firmly in place and completely reassembled. Anymore suggestions? Thanks.

 

[mouseandcat]

seems like it's a "physical" problem (ie. connection of the keyboard port to the logic board).

have you tried applying pressure on the keyboard connection on the logic board while it's partially disassembled?

perhaps the top-case is applying pressure which is causing the keyboard port to move in a way that disrupts the connection.

Thanks for the advice. I've disassembled and reassembled the MacBook at least half a dozen times, thoroughly checking that every connection is indeed snug. Which just leads me to believe that when the trackpad cable wires became detached from that little plastic piece that plugs into the logic board it must have broken the existing solders.

However, I still cannot figure out why when the top case is firmly in place and the laptop completely assembled the power button does not work. It will only work while the top case is simply attached by the trackpad cable but not firmly in place and completely reassembled. Anymore suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Kim Philby]

You may have torn the ribbon cable on the top case. If you don't unplug it very carefully, it's real easy to tear.

 

[bsblvnv]

Sounds to me like you have a short somewhere. When you have the MB disassembled the power button works, but when you reassemble it either a bare wire, or a solder point is somehow touching metal, either a bracket or the casing. Check all the wires, and make sure that nothing is touching a bracket, screw, or casing. IMO a short could be the only reason it will not power on assembled, this could also be the problem with your trackpad and keyboard, but the connection on them is much more likely.

 

[Mars478]

The Power Button makes a metallic contact up at the top there. It is not interfaced via the ribbon AFAIK.