[pfgpowell]

Hi, until about ten minutes ago everything was fine, but suddenly the trackpad cursor and keyboard on my 13in Mabook are dead. First of all the trackpad wasn't responding, so I rebooted. Then, as soon as the laptop was up and running a Bluetooth Assistant appeared asking me set up a bluetooth key. That was when I realised the keyboard wasn't working, either. Is this serious, or have I inadvertently changed some setting. I am posting this from a (Windows) desktop, but as a rule I stick to my laptop and want to get this sorted out. Help, please!

[zapod]

Were you trying to pair a Bluetooth device? In any case, pairing a bt keyboard and mouse shouldn't disable the on board ones.

If you have a desktop available, try plugging in the mouse and keyboard from that into your MacBook, then turn off Bluetooth via the menu bar, then reboot.

Failing that, try the apple hardware diagnostics - I can't remember the startup key combo off the top of my head - google it, though it might be on a DVD that came with your machine depending on how old it is.

[pfgpowell]

Originally Posted by zapod

Were you trying to pair a Bluetooth device? In any case, pairing a bt keyboard and mouse shouldn't disable the on board ones.

If you have a desktop available, try plugging in the mouse and keyboard from that into your MacBook, then turn off Bluetooth via the menu bar, then reboot.

Failing that, try the apple hardware diagnostics - I can't remember the startup key combo off the top of my head - google it, though it might be on a DVD that came with your machine depending on how old it is.

No, I wasn't. In fact, I made sure Blutetooth was off, rebooted, and yet again the Bluetooth Assistant launcehd offering to help me set up a Bluetooth keyboard. After that I decided to reinstall the OS, booted up from the install disk, seemed to hang for an age, switched of the computer (despite being warned that I might not be able to switch it on again), couldn't get it going, then could, and now everything - trackpad and keyboard - are back working.

But the whole episode has unsettled me as though something is on the way out. Could there be?

[Maxatoria]

As a precaution i'd backup anything important just in case something does die

[Knarf44]

Is it still in warranty? You can check here: https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

Does your Apple store have a Genius Bar? http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/geniusbar/

If the answers are yes and yes then book it in for a check over. If it's a simple problem it'll be fixed within minutes by the resident genius.

When I used to repair the older MacBooks, this kind of problem sometimes turned out to be only fixed by changing the trackpad board. On the newer unibody models the trackpad can be replaced as a kit. Parts can be sourced from Ebay or places like Bookyard.