Strange behaviour...

[systanford]

I have a MBP running Lion, 10.7. The specs are as follows:
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Memory: 4 GB

This morning I went to use it and the keyboard started playing up.
I went to type in my password only to realise that certain keys were not working. Now none of them do.
The back-light is fully lit across the 8,U,H,J,K,N keys but dim elsewhere.
Then there was a crackling from the speakers too. Now only the left speaker is working.

Anyone able to give a diagnosis? Advice, anything? Despite extensive searching I've found nothing...

Sy

 

[lifeinhd]

Did you (or anyone else) spill anything on it recently? That's the only thing I can think of, because that's the only way the speakers and keyboard are related.

You say the backlit keyboard is partially working, I take it this means the ambient light sensor is working? What about the microphone?

 

[systanford]

Nothing has been spilt on or near it...
I've yet to check the mic, I will when I can and update accordingly.
The ambient light sensor is working to an extent but not correctly. When covered it lights up the part I mentioned before, but then won't dim the lights when needed.

 

[systanford]

The mic and audio out are working fine.

I've also noticed the four corners of the trackpad have become non-responsive to touch, unless the contact is made in the centre of the pad first. Eg, If I make contact with the pad in the centre then drag outward there is no problem. If I initiate contact towards a corner, the trackpad wont acknowledge anything until my finger reaches the middle.

 

[Ramunas]

Same stuff happened to my macbook pro 13" when I spilled coffee on it.

 

[systanford]

Same stuff happened to my macbook pro 13" when I spilled coffee on it.

No liquid has been near this though...

Ok, so the cause isn't really the issue, what parts do I need to replace to remedy the issue?

 

[lifeinhd]

No liquid has been near this though...

Ok, so the cause isn't really the issue, what parts do I need to replace to remedy the issue?

Likely the entire top case. You have an older MBP though, so this isn't as much of a hassle as on the newer MBPs. You'll probably need to source one from eBay. Make sure you get one for your specific MBP-- while I don't think the top cases changed between generations (with the exception of the introduction of multitouch), better to be safe than sorry.

 

[systanford]

Likely the entire top case. You have an older MBP though, so this isn't as much of a hassle as on the newer MBPs. You'll probably need to source one from eBay. Make sure you get one for your specific MBP-- while I don't think the top cases changed between generations (with the exception of the introduction of multitouch), better to be safe than sorry.

OK replacing that is no issue, I have a source too. Would this remedy the speaker issue too do you think? Or would it be more likely that I need to purchase a replacement speaker set?
Thanks for your help/advice.

 

[lifeinhd]

Ah yes, I'd forgotten that the speakers are not attached to the top cases in the older models.

I would try reseating the connectors first. Without buttoning the machine back up (a real pain), test them first. If the problem persists, replace!

Good luck.