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normdzn · 12:37 PM

Hi Y'all,

I have a 667mhz 15" powerbook and I recently installed Panther 10.3. I did a clean install and for some reason my trackpad does not work anymore. The trackpad option tab in system preferences is gone. I have browsed a couple of threads that may have had the same problems but they offer different solutions. Can you help? Thanks.

normdzn · Feb 3, 2005, 12:52 PM

I have checked a few of the threads which could be similar to my situation but have not seen ONE thread where a solution was presented that have worked. WEIRD! Any thoughts, ideas...HELP!

bbales · Feb 3, 2005, 02:42 PM

Do you have AppleCare? If so, call Apple directly. And have you checked the support threads on the apple site itself (under "support" and then "discussions.") That's also an excellent option for getting help.

Good luck. I have no answers for you, but I thought I'd at least point those possibilities out to you.

Randman · Feb 4, 2005, 01:01 AM

Maybe do another reinstall and see if it appears.

tooki · Feb 4, 2005, 01:05 AM

Please use descriptive thread titles in the future. A good thread title is a very brief synopsis of the contents. A good thread title here might have been "trackpad malfunction".

Titles that give zero indication of the contents may get plenty of clicks, but since most readers won't know how to respond, their time is wasted.

tooki

powermacj7 · Feb 4, 2005, 05:09 AM

If you just did a clean install, then another is not going to be a big deal. Make sure when you do that nothing is plugged in the USB or other ports. I read a thread once where a guy did a reinstall and had a mouse hooked up, and the track-pad did not work properly. He reinstalled with out the mouse and all went well.

normdzn · Feb 4, 2005, 12:30 PM

Hi Fellas,

You know what, I do not have AppleCare

And a reinstall has been done (several times actually)...

But I have not reinstalled without the USB mouse connected because I could not operate the powerbook cursor without the trackpad working...hahaha!

Sigh, what a bummer! But this is great, I really appreciate the help!

normdzn · Feb 4, 2005, 12:35 PM

Can I get a moderator to change my topic thread to

Trackpad not working after a Panther clean install...HELP

Thanks mods!

Thorin · Feb 4, 2005, 12:59 PM

I know this sounds really obvious, and I'm sure you've probably tried it.... but have you checked that it still doesn't work when you unplug your USB mouse. It's just there's a setting that disables your trackpad if a USB mouse is present.

normdzn · Feb 4, 2005, 01:14 PM

Thanks Thorin, that would be ideal, a blessing, a quick-fix like that but unfortunately...it's not that easy ;(

Thorin · Feb 4, 2005, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by normdzn:
Thanks Thorin, that would be ideal, a blessing, a quick-fix like that but unfortunately...it's not that easy ;(

No worries - wasn't trying to suggest you were stupid or anything just thought I'd throw that one in there on the off chance.

Good luck!

Have you tried posting on Apple's powerbook support forums?

http://discussions.info.apple.com/

Thorin · Feb 4, 2005, 01:24 PM

Someone here:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/we...tc.2@.6897e119

Has a similar (but not identical) problem, and someone suggest s doing a PMU reset. Might be worth a go if you haven't already tried this.

normdzn · Feb 4, 2005, 03:14 PM

WOOHOO!!!!

OK fellas, this is how we fix this problem. I went to the Apple Store and asked the Geeksquad how to fix it. And the response was similar to what Thorin said but instead of resetting the PMU, it was the Non-volatile RAM that needed resetting. PRAM and NVRAM worked and me and my powerbook titanium are back to our honeymoon stage!!!! Thanks fellas and pass this info to someone who might have the same problem!

normdzn · Feb 7, 2005, 12:37 PM

You guys wouldn't believe this but... the trackpad does not work again!!!

Right after I got the trackpad to work I started working on Illustrator then, "poof" all of a sudden te trackpad stopped working and the trackpad tab from the system preferences is once again gone!!

markponcelet · Feb 7, 2005, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by normdzn:
You guys wouldn't believe this but... the trackpad does not work again!!!

Ack!

Well, I don't know if this will help or not, but:

I guess it's possible that it could be a hardware issue. If your trackpad has one of those little flexible cables that connects it to the motherboard, it could be cracked or loose or something.

I only say this because if you were to unplug that little cable and install panther, you'd probably get the same results. :/ If this is the problem and you are competent with opening your laptop, you could reseat that cable.

Just brainstorming. :/

Mark

normdzn · Feb 9, 2005, 10:23 AM

Well, I took my titanium to the Genius Bar and they took it away to send it off for repairs

I will keep you posted on what they find out. Thanks.

normdzn · Feb 11, 2005, 04:27 PM

Hi Y'all,

My Tibook came back from AppleCare today. They fixed my trackpad problems. The invoice says that they replaced the "TOP CS MOD ASSY, PBG4" does anyone know what it means, anyone who can shed some light and make me understand how or why I broke it? They also mentioned something about my battery should be replaced, is this a way where they can sell batteries or should I listen to their advice and buy a new one? I am gonna measure how much time I get from my battery and then decide from there.

Spliff · Feb 11, 2005, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by normdzn:
Hi Y'all,

My Tibook came back from AppleCare today. They fixed my trackpad problems. The invoice says that they replaced the "TOP CS MOD ASSY, PBG4" does anyone know what it means, anyone who can shed some light and make me understand how or why I broke it?

"ASSY" probably means assembly. The TiBook design had a flaw in which the palm-rests would flex and cause electrical shorts.