Urgent help: 2010 MBA via HDMI to TV - trackpad stops working

[eVolcre]

Quick question guys, I've got a 5 year old and 2 year old going a little crazy because 'Cars' isn't on yet.

I've got a 2010 MBA (late 2010) running Mavericks. Hooked up to a 50" Toshiba LCD TV using a Thunderbolt to HDMI adaptor and then a HDMI cable.

When I plug it in, it sees the monitor but I lose all trackpad functionality. Can't control the mouse, can't click, it's like it's drunk! I can move the pointer very slowly but it isn't doing what I want it to do.

Any fix here? It's not my laptop. I've tried the same cable/connector with a 2009 MBP with the same problem. Is this a known issue? Should I just run out and grab a new set of cables?

-eV

 

[balamw]

Which adapter are you using?

You do realize that neither of your machines is Thunderbolt equipped, right? You want an adapter designed for miniDP.

B

 

[eVolcre]

I'm using the Apple mini DVI to HDMI adaptor.

BTW - pretty sure my MBA (Dec 2011) has a thunderbolt port but it's backwards compatible so I just picked up the mini DVI.

Ah, my mistake, scrolled down and saw I said late 2010. It's a Dec 2011 11"MBA

 

[balamw]

mini DVI was phased out in 2008 and is not connector compatible?!?

I'm not aware of any Apple branded miniDP->HDMI adapter or even thunderbolt -> HDMI.



EDIT: Is this the first time you've used the adapter with either computer? Has something changed since the last time you used it?

B

 

[mattferg]

From what you're saying it sounds like you're using a MiniDP to HDMI adapter. Bin it immediately and buy a MiniDP to HDMI cable. The adapters are known to cause numerous problems and break... a lot. The cables don't seem to have the same issue though. There are loads of forums backing this up.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I had a similar issue with my 2012 MBA connected to 24" monitor using the Moshi mDP -> HDMI adapter Apple recommends at their stores.

Works fine except for one situation, when I full-screened the iTunes visualizer. For some reason, that messed up the trackpad and it would only come back when I disconnected the monitor. I rebooted and haven't had the trackpad sticking problem since, but I also haven't tried replicating this issue. This happened in Mavericks.

Anyway, just curious if you were running iTunes at all as that's the only software that's caused an issue for me. I use this setup with Logic Studio regularly without problems.

Edit to add, I use this mDP -> HDMI adapter with a late 2008 MBP and a late 2010 MBA as well, without troubles. I did have to change the color space on the monitor the first time I hooked up the MBP though.