[tritonejazz]

I just upgraded from a 500mhz G3 ibook to a G4 800 ibook last week. Everything seemed to be going well until last night, when my cursor started doing erratic things... it's obviously not any of the things that applehelp suggests (touching with another finger, etc). It starts after I've been using the computer for more than about 20 minutes, and often the cursor "jumps" back to where it was before I touched the trackpad. Is this something to worry about? Could it be an overheating issue (I'm using it on a desk, so I figure that's not it). Thanks! - Ryan

[ccsccs7]

Could there be residue or maybe sweat on the trackpad?

[SupahCoolX]

Also check your fingers. A friend of mine once had similar trouble using the trackpad on my old iBook, but we realized it was some hand cream/moisturizer he had been using.

[deathvole]

SupahCoolX wrote:

"Also check your fingers. A friend of mine once had similar trouble using the trackpad on my old iBook, but we realized it was some hand cream/moisturizer he had been using."

Translation - plug a mouse into the USB port when surfing pr0n.

-DV

[Stradlater]

Clean the trackpad...and if you have bluetooth, I really suggest you get a wireless mouse (multi-button, preferably); they're much better than trackpads!

[SupahCoolX]

Originally posted by deathvole:
Translation - plug a mouse into the USB port when surfing pr0n.
-DV

No, seriously! He had a skin condition and needed this stuff to avoid his skin getting all dried out and cracked.
That aside, testing out a USB mouse is a good way to narrow down the list of possible causes of your problem.

[sawmill]

I have the same problem and started a thread on the Apple site that has now become quite long. You'll find it in the iBook section of their discussions (others have started threads too).

I've had no solution yet except that it comes and goes and I can usually stop it going ballistic by tapping firmly on the trackpad. This usually stops it for a while (sometimes days).

Good luck - I've given up. John

[Gorilla]

I started getting trackpad problems a few weeks after I got my 12-inch G4. I told the service guy about it when I had taken it in to get the faulty memory replaced, and he has ordered a new part to replace it. There's apparently a defect of some sort. I'd take it in for repair as soon as possible.

[zepkin]

My iBook had the same symptoms. Try this -- push down on the trackpad and/or the left palm rest. Does the trackpad go nuts and become unresponsive? This is a defect that I believe affects some of the earlier G4 iBooks. I took mine in and had it fixed. Just got it back today and it works great! The best thing is the annoying creaky left palm rest area is no longer creaky. I think this manufacturing defect is partly due to the trackpad problem.

Check out an iBook at an Apple store and it doesn't have the trackpad or creaky palm rest problem. If your case creaks and you have trackpad probelms, take it in and get it fixed.