For the past month or so, my MacBook Pro's keyword has been acting very funky. The S, W, X, 2, tab, esc and some other keys simply don't always work (they work sometimes but mostly not) when pressed.
Now this only happens when on the laptop's keyboard. It works fine when I use my external Apple keyboard at my office.
I cannot express how annoying it is to type without having those keys functioning. Guess how I am able to type those keys? I surf to a web site, and use the copy and paste function. So if I need an S, I find an S on a web site, highlight it, copy it, and then paste it into the place I need it. Very very very annoying.
At first I thought it was a bug related to Bug ID# 4333743 but Apple released a software update that was supposed to fix the issue. It did not fix my issue.
I called Apple today, and they recommended that I replace the keyboard. I said, I can't be without my computer for a week. So I called the local Apple store and they said they can replace it while I wait. I am not waiting for them to call me back with a time when they will have all the parts and man power on hand for this replacement to happen.
For some reason, I don't think it is a hardware issue. I have a feeling that they will replace the keyboard and it still won't work. I will keep you all updated, like you care.. ;-)
Comments
GREAT WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR
AND WE DO CARE
PLEASE SHARE
apple has great customer service so i think u will be HAPPY
Posted by: APPLE | January 2, 2008 12:58 PM
Barry,
Sorry to hear about your keyboard.
Insert caring smile here :)
As someone looking to purchase a new Macbook Pro this year, these posts are very telling.
Keep us up to date with your status.
Thanks.
Cathlyn**
Posted by: Cathlyn Driscoll | January 3, 2008 10:32 AM
ahhhh I feel your pain. 6, y, = and / keys intermittently stop working on my Macbook Pro. It may be heat related. Of course, using the Keyboard Viewer is a much better solution than cutting and pasting letters from a web page! You can hit tab and esc that way.
it's two months out of warranty and I'm wondering how much it is going to cost to fix. yourself?
Posted by: richard | January 3, 2008 9:17 PM
I too have a macbook pro about thre months out of warranty. Both cooling fans have stopped working, my battery is swelling, and now my keyboard is acting very funny. Keys either don't work or they do other things. The space bar will suddenly highlight everything and then erase everything. Apple will replace the battery under a low key "recall" but the other issues are mine to deal with.
Jon
Posted by: Jon | January 5, 2008 9:22 AM
I have a MacBookPro 15" (first series) and the keyboard works perfectly ...
I recently purchased a 17" MacBookPro (Core2Duo) and it shows the same problems you have. I feel that I have to press the keys harder than with my 15" ...
Any news on the Apple help?
Posted by: Hans | January 11, 2008 1:51 PM
Update over at http://www.cartoonbarry.com/2008/01/my_apple_macbook_pro_keyboard.html
It was hardware, not a software issue.
Posted by: Barry Schwartz | January 11, 2008 2:03 PM
Yeah... my "d" key doesn't work I use the same copy/paste method.
Except mine is broken because my friend spilled rum and coke all over it.
Posted by: Nionix | February 6, 2008 12:51 PM
>>I too have a macbook pro about thre months out of warranty. Both cooling fans have stopped working, my battery is swelling, and now my keyboard is acting very funny. Keys either don't work or they do other things. The space bar will suddenly highlight everything and then erase everything. Apple will replace the battery under a low key "recall" but the other issues are mine to deal with.
Jon
I have the same problem! Did you ever get it fixed if so, how?
Posted by: Cristina | February 14, 2008 12:14 AM
On my MacBook Pro, the "central divider line" keys died - B, G, T. 5 and F5/F6. Same thing - they will work once in a blue moon, but for the most part just sit there. I discovered that they work better if the MBP is elevated so it's cooled from below instead of sitting on a surface, so I think it has to do with Apple's infamous overheating (will they ever solve that problem??) that starts causing problems starting with day 91 and above.
Apple, as everyone knows, has a TERRIBLE customer support full of snobby, arrogant, impatient and not at all savvy "techies," so I guess I'll just send this one for repair and never buy another Apple portable again. Oddly, their desktops have always been so great and, in fact, attracted me to start using Apple at all, back in '92, but their portables have always been complete garbage and useless crap.
Posted by: Gormark | March 2, 2008 5:01 PM
I have a Macbook, less than two months old, and the mystery highlight/erase thing happens all the time. This machine is the biggest computer disappointment I have ever had! (Just now, It took three hits of the space bar before I could type that exclamation point!) The cursor kept bouncing to the top of the page. AND the cursor "magically" jumped to the line above. For a long time, I thought it was something I was doing. Frustrating, along with many other things that make me sorry I bought it. I read way, way too many "wrongs" with these things.
Posted by: gram | March 8, 2008 6:11 PM
I came out tonite hearing a loud thumping noise and it was coming from my macbook pro. I had put photos on the web and was reading e-mail then I went to edit a word doc and the cursor took off on its own and I couldn't stop it. It kept jumping lines erasing everything as it went. I restarted several times but the cursor problem persists at least in word. Help....
Posted by: june McKown | March 12, 2008 12:14 AM
i think i have a double whammy, i have a first generation MBP 15" and at first it was dropping a few keys here and there, the problem gradually got worse, until one day the entire keyboard and trackpad gave out in mid project. now this happens within ten minutes of operating my MB every time i turn it on, i have to use usb externals for both which leaves me with no usb ports for my flash drive. i guess that would make it a triple whammy very frustrating and disapointing, especially since i came down with this disease just as my warrentee ended.
just thought i'd share. if anyone has a sollution, please let me know.
Posted by: Mor | April 4, 2008 3:58 PM
Yeah I have a macbook pro and I've had the same issue, but it's with the 8 i k l , and shift buttons.
I took it into the apple store today, and they are giving it a 'zap' as they so delightfully put it, apparently it will work then.
Posted by: Meg | May 31, 2008 9:35 AM
I too am facing this problem. My 5, t, g, and b keys work intermitenly. I made an appt at he apple store this afternoon. What are the costs related with this repair?
Posted by: Aimee | July 6, 2008 1:55 PM
ive got an ordinary macbook, and have the same problem, it started the first time i used it out of the box! the 'y' 'd' 's' and '6' keys randomly dont work sometimes, and you have to go back through what youve written and fill in the gaps! i thought it was a simple case of 'download the updates' but this didnt work, apple suggested replacing m mac, but its a fair bit off hastle after installing everything.. and i cant be without m(
Posted by: thom | July 8, 2008 7:59 AM
My 17" MBP with LED backlit screen (1920x1200) works beautifully. As a Self Employed software developer I know a few tricks to hunt problems.
I've had far fewer troubles with the Mac OS and Mac Hardware than any version of Windows or Linux, or any other PC manufacturer.
That said, with so many being built, there are bound to be people with real problems.
First trick: Create a new account and see if the problem is a problem there. If your keys all work in a new account, then it's definitely software... otherwise it's hardware/firmware.
Create a new account: Apple Menu/System Preferences/Accounts. Click the lock at the bottom if it's locked, then click the "+" at the bottom to add a new account. Set it to Administrative. Log out, then log in as the new user. When your done, log in as the old user, and use the "-" in Accounts to remove the test account.
Posted by: Name Example | September 2, 2008 3:20 PM
I had my Macbook Pro for a year and a half. I started noticing keyboard issues about two weeks ago. They are not sticking or permanently failing, but have a non-responsive issue that seems to be traveling from one key to another. It was Delete first, then O, then A and today, the Spacebar. The previously affected keys are now fine. As you can see here, the Spacebar still works, but requires a double-thumb press each time. I guess I'll try compressed air first,in case it is something stuck. If not, I guess I'll be in line for a Genius' help too.
Posted by: ChImp | September 2, 2008 4:36 PM
my key board have of it works and the other have dosnot work how much dos a key board Cos and its a mac book pro 15'' and i have no warranty so i'm going 2 have 2 hit my pockets up
Posted by: melvin | September 2, 2008 5:17 PM