Mac Help

[Dave James]

I've had a 15" MacBook Pro for just less than two years. About three weeks ago, the cursor started jumping around like it had a mind of its own. I couldn't control it with either the trackpad or a mouse. I've taken it to two different computer repair places and spent a total of about $100 for diagnostics. One place said if I couldn't use the trackpad, a mouse should still work fine. WRONG. Another said there was a faulty connection in the trackpad and that they'd fixed it, tested it and everything was A-OK. WRONG.

Has anyone else out there experienced this? I've been to all the diagnostic websites I can find and tried all the suggestions, but nothing works. According to the information I can access about my computer, the battery is OK. Could it still possibly be battery related? I read someplace that over time, the battery can avtually swell up and impact the workings of the trackpad.

I'm trying to avoid taking this to Apple for repair, since they charge and arm and a leg and it takes forever. Any ideas about how I can solve this problem or even if it's soluable, i.e. could my MacBook really be shot after only two years? I do use it a bunch.

Thanks for any tips, help or suggestions any of you guys can provide. I'm about to go nuts.

[Chuck Nessa]

My experience with an Apple store has been great.

There are Apple discussion groups dealing with issues - do a search.

[Shawn]

First thing: Reset the PRAM. Here's how:

1. Power the computer down.

2. Hold down Option+Command+R

3. Push the power button and then immediately move your finger to hold down the P key on the keyboard (the goal is to have Command+Option+P+R all pressed while it powers on). You'll hear 1 start-up chime, keep holding the buttons down until you hear a second start-up chime. One you hear the second chime let the buttons go and it will reboot normally.

If it's a corrupt parameter that should clear it.

What model macbook do you have? Does it have a removable battery or is it built-in? If it's removable you can take the battery out to see if it's swollen. If it's built-in you'll need to take it to an apple store to get looked at.

Hope the first option helps. One thing to note, the Apple Store should be able to turn any repair around within 7 days.

[marcello]

Chris A, turned me on to this forum for help: Applenova

Otherwise, did you run "Correct Permissions" in the "Utilities"?

[Quincy]

What you're describing is exactly what I went through and it was a swelled battery. To see take the battery out and run the computer plugged in without it. (This is okay to do.) If the cursor isn't jumping around then this is your problem and it's easy to fix. The best solution of course is to buy a new battery if this is indeed the problem. Some lucky people were able to look doe-eyed at an Apple store employee and get a new battery if the battery had obvious warpage but I wasn't able to (plus mine was 3 years old.) You can think of a swelled up battery kind of like a swelled prostate - the pressure it's exerting against the trackpad interferes with it's ability to work right.

[JSngry]

You can think of a swelled up battery kind of like a swelled prostate -

Does this mean that the people at the Apple store should be asked to stick a finger up your as, just to be precautionary?

[papsrus]

The battery swelled in my MacBook and caused the cursor to go berserk. Got a new battery and the issue was resolved.

[Dave James]

You can think of a swelled up battery kind of like a swelled prostate -

Does this mean that the people at the Apple store should be asked to stick a finger up your as, just to be precautionary?

If that's the case, then cost is no object.