PB Keyboard or Trackpad Problem

Discussion in 'Buying Tips, Advice and Discussion (archive)' started by luckyparadox, May 29, 2004.

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  1. luckyparadox, May 29, 2004

    luckyparadox macrumors newbie

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    May 15, 2004
    #1
    Okay--so I finally made the leap and got a PB 12". After years of being a PC user, I have to say that my switch to Mac has NOT been an easy one...not a bad experience, just a lot to learn. For example, I didn't realize how much I relied on keyboard shortcuts (formatting things like alt+f and the like...some of the Mac shortcuts involve three keys!! can't do that with one hand!) There are a few things about the OS of which I am not a huge fan...but I definitely like the idea that I can have ten applications open at once and not skip a beat--which was my most prominent complaint about Windows.

    There is a problem though that's really bothering me--after having this thing for just a week, I've noticed the same thing happening repeatedly. I'll be typing something in AIM, or TextEdit, or a Safari form (this very post included) and all of a sudden my cursor will jump up a few lines and start typing there. Or, it will jump up and highlight a block of text--which will then be deleted as I continue typing. Thank god there's the Undo Typing command...

    I don't understand why this happens. I have a sinking suspicious that it may be the trackpad that causes it--that it's really sensitive (and just too close to the keyboard). But sometimes I can't tell, and I think it may be the keyboard itself...anybody have any ideas? I've selected the option to "Ignore Accidental Trackpad Input" in System Preferences, but that doesn't seem to solve it.

    I remember somebody posting about this a couple of weeks ago...sorry if I'm repeating things--I sincerely searced the forum for fifteen minutes looking for the original post.

    Well, thanks all!
    = ) enrico
     
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  2. JOD8FY, May 29, 2004

    JOD8FY macrumors 6502a

    JOD8FY

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    Mar 22, 2004
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    United States
    #2
    That problem with the trackpad, (I think it's the trackpad, not the keyboard) is really weird. I've had my PB for a couple months and have never had any problems with it. Give Apple a call.

    I thought I'd also post a link to the Apple support site that lists a few keyboard shortcuts: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75459

    Best wishes,
    JOD8FY
     
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  3. wide, May 29, 2004

    wide macrumors 6502a

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    NYC
    #3
    The "ignore accidental trackpad input" doesn't often work. It's not a defect though. I used to have that same problem with my PC, but I worked around it and started to type differently, I guess.
     
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  4. MacTheKnife, May 30, 2004

    MacTheKnife macrumors newbie

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    Nov 20, 2002
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    #4
    PB keyboard/trackpad problem

    Enrico,

    I understand your dilemma. Actually one reason I have held off buying a PB is due to what you described with the cursor jumping around despite having the "ignore accidental trackpad input" option selected. I have tested the keyboard on PBs many times at different Apple Stores and this cursor jumping has always been a problem, unfortunately. When I pointed this out to an employee, the response was to "turn off the tapping option and use the mouse button". Huh? I am hoping that a future OS update will adress this bug. As far as I know for now the only solution is to turn off the tapping feature and use the mouse button. :(

    As for other differences between PB and PC keyboards, I feel the omission of the equivalent of the "delete" key on a PC keyboard (PB keyboards have a delete key that functions equivalent to a backspace key on a PC keyboard, but do not have a dedicated key that functions equivalent to a delete key on a PC keyboard) is a major flaw. It essentially results in needing two hands to enable this function (by simultaneously pressing the function and delete keys). Not to mention the lack of a second mouse button is very aggravating. It would be so nice to see future PBs incorporate some of these basic keyboard elements.
     
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  5. luckyparadox, May 30, 2004

    luckyparadox thread starter macrumors newbie

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    May 15, 2004
    #5
    my solution

    I have my own trackball attached to my PB, so I don't use the trackpad that often anyway--so for now I've used the "Ignore trackpad when mouse is detected" feature, which basically turns off the trackpad. I didn't realize I could turn off the tapping feature, which I don't use too much (I used it on my PC but the tapping response on my PB is sort of quirky...besides, I like buttons--the resistance and the click. Which is one thing about the iPod that bothers me).

    Well, I'm still glad I made the switch... My Aunt is buying my sister a laptop for her high school graduation, and I'm trying to persuade her to get her an iBook for college. She can't handle Windows--tons of spyware and viruses and all sorts of crud that she has no idea she's downloading--and has no clue how to fix it--basically demolishes any computer she ever owns. I'm going to be Restoring her PC sometime this week so my brother can use it.
     
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  6. wesli_1, May 30, 2004

    wesli_1 macrumors member

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    Location:
    Mount Isa, OZ
    #6
    This is what you want

    http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/sidetrack/

    Sidetrack is a really cool utility - once you have used it you can't live without it. It basically implements an alternative trackpad driver to the default apple driver, and lo and behold, one of the features is...... An "Ignore trackpad while typing" option that actually works!

    It also lets you do cool stuff like use the edges of the trackpad as a scroll wheel, tap the corners of the trackpad to simulate different mouse buttons (single-handed ctrl-click anyone?)

    Hope this helps.
     
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  7. luckyparadox, May 31, 2004

    luckyparadox thread starter macrumors newbie

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    May 15, 2004
    #7
    sidetrack

    Looks like a cool utility--have you had any problems with the Beta release?
     
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  8. reaper, May 31, 2004

    reaper macrumors 6502

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    19th Hole
    #8
    I don't have a PB myself, but I have a friend who swears by the thing, and when I finally save up enough to get my PB I will definitely install it. Apparently, there are a few bugs like you have to have a window selected to scroll in it, but, other than that, I hear it works just like the PC counterpart and almost as flawlessly.

    - reaper
     
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  9. wesli_1, May 31, 2004

    wesli_1 macrumors member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2004
    Location:
    Mount Isa, OZ
    #9
    My USB mouse also does the same thing - I think this is more of an application specific thing. It does take a bit of fiddling to get the settings right so that it is comfortable for you to use - but the "Ignore trackpad while typing" feature definitely works for me.

    If you're after a utility that does scrolling using the trackpad, I found uControl is also really good. It allows you to scroll in any direction by holding down a modifier key (default is <fn>), and moving the trackpad in the direction you wish to scroll.
     
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