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

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**

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?

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 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?

Update over at http://www.cartoonbarry.com/2008/01/my_apple_macbook_pro_keyboard.html

It was hardware, not a software issue.

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.

>>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?

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.

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.

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....

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.

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.

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?

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(

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.

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.

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

if it helps anyone.. this is my story with my macpro keyboard randomly working.....when it wants to..

I accidently used too much windex on my monitor, keyboard and trackpad (i know...) and messed up about 15 keys, few days later the trackpad was not working. So i went to macmall for a new keyboard. cost around $190 to replaced, worked fine for a while and after a few days a couple of keys didn't work, around 7 or so. Took it in to be replaced again (thought they installed wrong). When i got home that day a few minutes later those same 7 keys were not working. Went back again.. was told to restore computer, didn't have a restore disk, was told you can restore it with us for $60 or upgrade to leapord for about $115. Bought leopard and decided not to open leopard which i had no need for (just wanted my mac working) and was undecided if restoring the computer will actually work, since they keys didn't seem to work in startup modes(command s), my only hope was when I made the mac go to sleep i was able to push those same 7 keys and woke up the computer I realize the 7 keys were responding.

soooo...i thought it's not worth opening leopard. I was about to sell my mac on craiglist and buy an imac. A friend told me that they didn't install it right and the key seemed bend..

so long story short, I FIXED THE PROBLEM by putting light pressure on the trackpad, seems the keyboard and trackpad are conected to each other. I know it's weird..

and i know there's many who have made the same mistake of over cleaning you might have the same problem.

***i was told crazy stories like i have to replace the motherboard, because the keyboard had been replaced twice.

when it was randomly working it was because i was using the trackpad to open certain programs, when pressure was put on it, it WORDED.

now i have to replaced it, or open it up and clean it up. But I don't really use it. Also if it works and i put pressure on it the keys will stop working. Like a turn on and off button. Meanwhile I'm using a mouse and works flawless.

maybe this helped someone, you know who you are.

and no this problem didn't happen when leopard was install, im using tiger. Restoring the computer with leopard was my last option.

peace

if it helps anyone.. this is my story with my macpro keyboard randomly working.....when it wants to..

I accidently used too much windex on my monitor, keyboard and trackpad (i know...) and messed up about 15 keys, few days later the trackpad was not working. So i went to macmall for a new keyboard. cost around $190 to replaced, worked fine for a while and after a few days a couple of keys didn't work, around 7 or so. Took it in to be replaced again (thought they installed wrong). When i got home that day a few minutes later those same 7 keys were not working. Went back again.. was told to restore computer, didn't have a restore disk, was told you can restore it with us for $60 or upgrade to leapord for about $115. Bought leopard and decided not to open leopard which i had no need for (just wanted my mac working) and was undecided if restoring the computer will actually work, since they keys didn't seem to work in startup modes(command s), my only hope was when I made the mac go to sleep i was able to push those same 7 keys and woke up the computer I realize the 7 keys were responding.

soooo...i thought it's not worth opening leopard. I was about to sell my mac on craiglist and buy an imac. A friend told me that they didn't install it right and the key seemed bend..

so long story short, I FIXED THE PROBLEM by putting light pressure on the trackpad, seems the keyboard and trackpad are conected to each other. I know it's weird..

and i know there's many who have made the same mistake of over cleaning you might have the same problem.

***i was told crazy stories like i have to replace the motherboard, because the keyboard had been replaced twice.

when it was randomly working it was because i was using the trackpad to open certain programs, when pressure was put on it, it WORDED.

now i have to replaced it, or open it up and clean it up. But I don't really use it. Also if it works and i put pressure on it the keys will stop working. Like a turn on and off button. Meanwhile I'm using a mouse and works flawless.

maybe this helped someone, you know who you are.

and no this problem didn't happen when leopard was install, im using tiger. Restoring the computer with leopard was my last option.

peace

I bought my Macbook Pro 15" (OSX 10.5.5) last August and I have the same problems. In the beginning I thought it had to do with my way of typing. But now I'm sure it is a hardware defect. The external keyboard works perfecly. I'm afraid the Macbook Pro has a lousy bad internal keyboard. It is not just one or two keys that fail, almost all keys might sometimes fail. In random order. The Mac customer service says 'they can't find anything wrong'. They are just side-stepping, shame on them! It is interesting to know that the latest Macbook Pro (release september) has a new type of keyboard...Isn't that a coincidence?

I have the same problem as mentioned. My divider line keys -t/g/b - they do not work properly. (I had to type these lines 2-3 times to get it correct!). As much as I like macs, I am also frustrated as they are too delicate with respect to the hardware (my opinion, others might vary) unlike the other laptops. I know it is not a software issues as I have a dual boot with Vista using the Bootcamp and the keyboard has an issue in the Vista also. I am going to the apple store today and let me see what happens. (my mac is not even 2 months old). I prefer they replace the keyboard and not "Zap" as one you had mentioned - that is not going o solve the problem!! I will keep my experience posted. My 2 cent take - Any one who gives sturdiness and reliability importance might as well shop around for other brands before settling on Apple - this is my opinion, other might differ. Its even frustrating pressing the keys again and again till they take my keys!!! strokes.

My MBP keyboard was replaced under warranty when the "P" key stopped working. Now it's about a little over an year since the replacement and my "equal" key is not working (as a heavy excel user I'm screwed). Going to call apple tomorrow and beg for another replacement even though it's outside warranty. Obviously they have some hardware issues.

Hey All, I have the same crappy issue. But, i went ot the mac store and complained they told me 12 days for a keyboard replacement, so when i heard this i got pissed.

I bought applce pro care 99 dollars, best thing inthe world, i had a new top case wiht in 30 minutes...

Same problem. First my 8 now my o. Intermittent and frustrating. I have been just typing through it and running spell check to fix the errors.

This summer, when I can be without the computer for a bit, I will take it to the Apple Store.

I'm responding to this a little late, but I'm also experiencing this issue. I have a Macbook pro I bought in August of '07. No problems until about a week ago. My keyboard was a little gunky, so I was sort of cleaning between the keys with a clean paintbrush, when all of a sudden the question mark key stopped working. Rebooting didn't work, and when I popped the key off to check it out everything seemed fine. The next day when I restarted the computer, I found that if I hit the shift key on the left side and tried to make a capital Y, nothing happened. For me it's constant though, not intermittent. I'm getting it looked at this weekend.

I've had a macbook pro since July of 08, and don't plan on ever going back to pc. I too was a little frustrated when my Y key stopped working. When I removed the key everything looked fine underneath. after a little cleaning under the two clear plastic layers to the receptor. my Y key is working like new. there was a collection of dust and other stuff blocking the connection between the button and the receptor. I would suggest a great deal of caution and care. This is just a suggestion I don't expect this to work for everyone.

About 3 months ago my tab key got hard to press. It eventually just broke off. Now my quote key is starting to do the same thing. I think it's just a cheap keyboard. It's a MacBook Pro 17". Over $4,000 and now I have to replace the keyboard on a Mac that is only 18 months old? I've already replaced the battery after it swelled up and stopped working. This is NOT what I expect from high-end Apple.

i am wondering what is the best solution to this problem? i have had my macbook for 8 mo and my comma doesnt work!

please just tell me what to do i am a student and i need my comma to work i am also not technology smart so i neeed a solution from someone!

No offense to you guys but do any of you dippy mac guys ever have an answer for anything?

i do computer programming, and my tab key has just started becoming hard to use

oddly the ` was acting funny a few days ago and is now back to normal

the tab key feels like something is broken. maybe it will heal by itself.

i think i'm out of warranty on this 4 month old laptop .. can't really afford $80 for the new keyboard, sheeh, what a piece of cr*p (however in most respects this is a very nice laptop)

I.dropped.a.stapler.on.my.touchpad.leaving.an.indent.
Since.then,my.Spacebar.,Tab.,and.Delete.keys.do.not.work.

I.guess.i.should.replace.the.touchpad.Anybody,know?

Heh my Macbook Pro 15" is less than a year old and ever since I bought it I've noticed the keyboard issues. The best keys stick for me: Shift, Alt, Control, Caps Lock and Tab. Just now my Control key got stuck and refused to unstick until I restarted the computer. My W gets stuck sometimes too. Macbooks are really faulty with their sticky keyboards, overheating and bad cd drives. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone -_-

I have the same problem with my 4th Gen 15 inch Macbook pro. I bought my mac in June 20 2008 and everything began to work fine. Then when I return back to collage in fall 08, my machine began to have keyboard issues. 50% chance that the entire row of Keys (asdfghjkl) will not work. This is pissing me off big time. I even took the god dam machine to the apple store in Soho and the Genius guy said that I'm not the only person who has that problem. He fix it in April 08 2 months later I get the same keyboard problem but this time its not only the a,s,d,f,g,h,j,k,l, Also my numbers wont work. I took the machine last week to the apple store and Again that Same Genius guy told me that my Mcbook pro is out of warranty since June-09.

Can some one help me out here.
Thanks.