Trackpad and keyboard lock up

[CaptSaltyJack]

I've noticed my MacBook Pro (10.5.6) has been acting strangely - the keyboard and trackpad lock up randomly, and the only way to fix it is to close the MacBook screen (put it in sleep mode) then re-open it again, then it's fine. Very annoying though.

Anyone else experiencing this?

 

[TheCookie]

I am. Haven't been able to figure out any kind of pattern for when it happens, yet, either.

It's pretty frustrating, though.

Also, it started for me before I ran the 10.5.6 update, and hasn't yet happened since the update. But I'm sure it will.

 

[likegadgets]

I am. Haven't been able to figure out any kind of pattern for when it happens, yet, either.

It's pretty frustrating, though.

Also, it started for me before I ran the 10.5.6 update, and hasn't yet happened since the update. But I'm sure it will.

Are you running parallels 4.0 by any chance? I have this lockup on my iMac if I leave a virtual machine in parallels 4 running. Takes a while but it happens.

 

[TheCookie]

Are you running parallels 4.0 by any chance? I have this lockup on my iMac if I leave a virtual machine in parallels 4 running. Takes a while but it happens.

Nope. Never run parallels.

Usually seems to happen for me after I've left the computer alone for a little while. Occasionally has happened while switching between MS Word and iChat.

Like I said, no real pattern has emerged.

 

[kockgunner]

Try repairing permissions with Disk Utility or Onyx, then reboot.

 

[CaptSaltyJack]

Repair permissions doesn't help. It's really quite bad, sometimes locking up constantly, and even putting the laptop into sleep mode doesn't fix - I have to force it to power off.

Can't tell if it's a hardware problem or a software problem. Plugging in a mouse into the USB port works fine.

 

[stevemiller]

ugh. this problem just started happening to me too. i'll see if repairing permissions helps me...

 

[CaptSaltyJack]

My girlfriend found the problem. The battery is pressing on an orange'ish ribbon cable that's responsible for the keyboard/trackpad. The battery was applying pressure on that cable. I messed around with the cable a bit, reseated the battery a few times, and it seems to be OK now, though I might still pay a visit to the Apple Store to have them do a more official repair.

 

[astrobdw]

I think it's iPhone related

I have what sounds like the exact same problem, but in my case it seems to only occur if I plug in my iPhone, and even then, not predictably.

Has anyone else noted whether this may correlate with iPhone (or other USB) being plugged in?

Drives me nuts.

 

[CaptSaltyJack]

I took my MBP in for servicing, since it's still under warranty. They replaced the "top case," which fixed the problem.