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Trackpad firmware doesn't update and now stopped working (Lion & MacBo

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  • Apple
  • Firmware
  • Computers
Last response: in Computer Brands
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September 10, 2012 10:38:01 PM

I bought an oldish MacBook 13" Unibody (late 2008) and when I got it one of the first things I did was to install Mac OS X Lion.

Everything was working fine, until I applied an update that made the trackpad stop working (it only accepts clicks, no touch is recognized).

This is the "Trackpad Firmware Update" from the automatic updates (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3288).

When starting this firmware update a window appears with a status message, Cancel and Update buttons. After clicking the Update button, it starts installing, appears to complete, status changes to Finishing..., and Update button comes back active at some point.

After that I have tried (unsuccessfully):

  • downloading and installing the update directly from Apple Support - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3288
  • same thing, but using the 'root' account
  • leaving the computer on overnight to see if actually "finished" the process
  • Reset PRAM PVRAM - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
  • Reset SMC - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
  • Hand palm pressing over 30 seconds on the trackpad (read this on another thread...?)
  • Reinstalling Mac OS X Lion using a DVD
  • Indifferent to USB devices being connected or not
  • tried reverting to Snow Leopard, same thing



    I'd be thankful for any ideas to try out.
  • More about : trackpad firmware update stopped working lion macbo

    September 18, 2012 4:05:11 PM

    Honestly, it sounds like a defective trackpad and a coincidental issue with the update you attempted to install.

    Is this system covered by an extended warranty?
    September 18, 2012 4:58:40 PM

    COLGeek said:
    Honestly, it sounds like a defective trackpad and a coincidental issue with the update you attempted to install.

    Is this system covered by an extended warranty?



    It's too much of a coincidence... it's a 2008 computer, so no, i haven't got an extended warranty.

    Cheers
    Related resources
    September 18, 2012 5:07:19 PM

    acseven said:
    It's too much of a coincidence... it's a 2008 computer, so no, i haven't got an extended warranty.

    Cheers

    Understood. You would be surprised by how many coincidences there are when it comes to defective hardware.

    In your case, if you use a standard mouse, does it work properly?

    Saw your posting on the Apple site. Odd that no one responded.
    September 18, 2012 6:42:27 PM

    I have seen many wierd stuff with computers, but still.. This one does seem to be too much of a coincidence.

    My best guess is that this update should only be applied with Snow Leopard, but it can be verified.

    Regarding that KB article, it basically says to install the firmware update again which I have tried in several different ways... :S

    And yeah, I asked at apple forums, stackxchange, experts-exchange... No luck so far. I have tried much of the what I would think to be the common solutions to be suggested so...
    September 18, 2012 6:52:54 PM

    You could install an older version and try the update. I would be surprised, at this point, if that resolved the issue. Still, I am pulling for you!

    Good luck!
    September 18, 2012 6:56:30 PM

    Hi again, I already did that as well - in the last post I meant that it would probably not happen if I had used Snow Leopard initially (the first trial of the update)...

    But thanks!
    September 18, 2012 7:02:37 PM

    Might be time to replace the trackpad.

    You can do yourself or send somewhere. I have used these guys to great success before.

    http://www.powerbookmedic.com/
    !