A snag with my Mac

[Pale Rider]

The keyboard on my MacBook Pro has developed a minor fault - the u and 7 keys no longer work.

I can type that sentence thanks to my fix of a usb Mac keyboard.

The MacBook is 2009 and is still running its original operating system.

Is it likely the latest operating system would fix the keyboard problem?

Another clue/query is the battery occasionally gets quite hot, which it never used to.

Is that something to do with increasing resistance due to age?

And could that have fried the keyboard?

Sorting this is not critical as I rarely take the MacBook anywhere, but I prefer to have stuff working correctly.

All thoughts welcome.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

It's f cked.

 

[Paul99]

Take it to the Apple store. They'll let you have one of their latest and greatest on finance.

Just like they did last week for my unemployed niece. Twats.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Depending on which size MBP it is, you can get replacement keyboards for them for around £20 (fitting is free if you're capable with a screwdriver)

I am guessing you have never cleaned the fans out? Which would contribute to increased heat. While the thing is stripped down to replace the keyboard, a good compressed air blow out of the fans will help your heat issue.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Take it to the Apple store. They'll let you have one of their latest and greatest on finance.

Just like they did last week for my unemployed niece. Twats.

They didn't sign the finance papers for her though.

 

[Aperitif]

With no u or 7, I guess the best you can hope for is a can of p.

 

[Paul99]

They didn't sign the finance papers for her though.

I know. She is from the selfish, must have it now generation and the riot act has been read.

They obviously didn't credit check her though or they wouldn't have let her have it.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

I know. She is from the selfish, must have it now generation and the riot act has been read.

They obviously didn't credit check her though or they wouldn't have let her have it.

The sad thing is, they probably did. No job = higher interest and/or default = late payment charge = more profit

It's quite common these days to see those with less income granted more credit, in the view of making more profit.

 

[Elybazza61]

The sad thing is, they probably did. No job = higher interest and/or default = late payment charge = more profit

It's quite common these days to see those with less income granted more credit, in the view of making more profit.

And the last I heard Apple aren't a registered charity.

 

[Oldbloke]

Read the thread title as being a tear in a raincoat...

 

[PhilDawson8270]

And the last I heard Apple aren't a registered charity.

True, but credit to those who can't afford it is no different to the banks irresponsible lending.

 

[TVC]

Read the thread title as being a tear in a raincoat...

Me too, I thought his zip had broken.

 

[Buck]

@Pale Rider You haven't got some dirt under the keyboard have you.

Turn it upside down and gently tap away to see if anything comes out

I had a similar problem on my Dell a couple of times. Once was some crumbs under the keys (tut tut eating over the computer!) and then the second time the contact on the keyboard had broken and the contact was no longer working.


For the running hot it can be two or three different things. Blocked fans; hard drive starting to fail and spinning excessively or running processor/GPU heavy applications. My old MBP did just that as it started to show its age and had to work harder and harder to operate the latest software.

 

[Milkfloat]

As mentioned already - I would start with a can of compressed air and some gentle tapping. Next up I would try removing the keys and cleaning with isopropyl.
Try this video.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kg6EfuR-6Y


If all else fails - a new keyboard.

http://www.insidemylaptop.com/how-to-replace-keyboard-on-macbook-pro-13-15-17-laptops/

 

[jefmcg]

It's very likely to be something under the key. Gently lift it off and blow underneath.

Definitely take it into an apple store; book an appointment with a "genius". I had brilliant service from them when my mac wouldn't boot up. I thought it was dead, but they reformatted the hard drive - I'd tried that already, but must have missed a step. They then tested the battery for me, cleaned the keyboard and screen, replaced the missing screws from the case and the missing foot. All for free on a mac that was well out of warranty.

I'd previously had an old ipod replaced under warranty. He showed me the dent in the case where the hard drive was, then got me a new one anyway!

Oh, do a complete backup before you take it out of the house.