My iMac trackpad just died

[Bob M.]

I have an older iMac (21.5 inch late 2009, 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo). I am running macOS High Sierra 10.13.6.
I know this is an older computer and a bit out of date but it suits my modest computing needs just fine.

My track pad died and only offers me one click on the button/switch on the underside of the trackpad and it stays stuck in the 'clicked position'.
Is there a substance like isopropyl, contact cleaner of a type of lubrication I might use to bring this thing back to its normal working performance?
Or is that a sign of 'the end'. Any tips on trackpad renovation would be greatly appreciated.

I looked at the new Apple track pad but it's much larger (and expensive) and doesn't easily fit into the modest space I've allowed for computing.
Is there someone out there who sells the older, smaller version of the Apple trackpad? It seems inconceivable that they have sold every single one.
Of course, Apple would want me to buy the newer, larger, (did I say) more expensive one. I was happy with my old one except it stopped working reliably.
In the interim, I'm using a mouse that I hate using.

I guess I'd consider a used trackpad but I'm sure the switches/buttons on the bottom have useful life like 100,000 switches before it dies.

Also I'm wondering if there's a third party trackpad out there that has good longevity (I'm sure all of them work great when brand-new). I'm looking for a smaller size and a rechargeable feature would be nice - I don't need alot of features and I'm not a power user. I've already tried my go-to computer place, OTC, but they don't sell track pads (only mouses, or mice, whatever).

Also, I was reading about compatibility for the new Apple trackpad and my computer might be too old for the current Apple trackpad to work properly.

Thanks for any help/advice in adv.,
Bob M.

 

[pigoo3]

If the switch on the bottom is not working properly...maybe it's full of gunk (if the switch is visible & junk can get in it). If you have access to the switch...maybe you can use something like a needle to try to work out any built-up gunk.

If the switch has truly failing due to mechanical wear & tear...then the trackpad probably needs to be replaced. By the way...does this trackpad support "tap to click"? If so...you could activate "tap to click" in System Preferences...then be able to tap on the trackpad to click...instead of the physical clicking it sounds like you have been using.

Lastly. I know you said you didn't have enough space for an Apple trackpad...but if you were able to find the space...used Apple trackpads on eBay sell for about $35-$45 (with free shipping). This is about 50% of what they sold for when new. I've purchased at least 3-5 of these over the years...and they always worked great.

HTH,

Nick

p.s. Actually the lowest price I could find on eBay (at this moment) for a used Apple trackpad...was $28.95 + free shipping.

 

[pm-r]

My track pad died and only offers me one click on the button/switch on the underside of the trackpad and it stays stuck in the 'clicked position'.
Is there a substance like isopropyl, contact cleaner of a type of lubrication I might use to bring this thing back to its normal working performance?
Or is that a sign of 'the end'. Any tips on trackpad renovation would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know if this is close enough to a parallel problem and their solution, but you might want to check it out:

How to clean a sticky Magic Trackpad click?

My magic trackpad seems to have gotten dirty in the button. I've tried swabbing around the button with alcohol but I still, at times, have to lift the trackpad to release the mouse click. Do you ...

apple.stackexchange.com

And maybe some more hits if you need them:

Google Search

I recently had to cut a small piece of a kitchen sponge and jam it under one of the click buttons of my mouse to increase it's spring-back action, and it is now working well.

Maybe a similar fix would work for yours and would work just as well???



- Patrick
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[Bob M.]

Thanks for all the good ideas and links to possible solutions.

I was concern about compatibility between my older iMac (specs in my initial post to this thread) and the new (larger) Apple magic trackpad. I did some reading that suggested that my computer might be too old for the new Apple trackpad to work properly but I'm unsure. Can anyone comment on this?

 

[pm-r]

I did some reading that suggested that my computer might be too old for the new Apple trackpad to work properly but I'm unsure. Can anyone comment on this?

Check out Apple's specs and System Requirements and models supported fo their Apple trackpad:

Magic Trackpad - Tech Specs - Apple Support (CA)

support.apple.com

Google searches can be your friend. ;-)


- Patrick
=======

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks for all the good ideas and links to possible solutions.

I was concern about compatibility between my older iMac (specs in my initial post to this thread) and the new (larger) Apple magic trackpad. I did some reading that suggested that my computer might be too old for the new Apple trackpad to work properly but I'm unsure. Can anyone comment on this?

1st Generation Magic Trackpads were released mid-2010. Pretty sure they will be compatible with a 2009 iMac.

Nick

 

[Bob M.]

The currently offered Apple Magic Trackpad is only compatible with more recent iMac computers than mine. The oldest one on the compatibility list from Apple is 2015. So I guess I have to find a 1st generation older, smaller silver trackpad (probably used).

Thanks for helping me get to the root of the solution,
Bob M.

 

[pigoo3]

Don't forget if your current trackpad supports "tap to click" you could do this instead of the physical click.

Nick

 

[Bob M.]

It's hard to know what my current trackpad supports because it's not working. When the buttons/switches get locked up, I lose cursor control and the trackpad no longer works and that happens usually after 1 click, then no more trackpad. As I said, it's become completely unreliable.

Bob M.

 

[pm-r]

I lose cursor control and the trackpad no longer works and that happens usually after 1 click, then no more trackpad. As I said, it's become completely unreliable.

Does it act the same way if you boot up using Safe Boot Mode???

If you haven't tried that already you might want to give it a try, just in case some third party extension or application is causing the goof up which will normally not run in safe boot mode.


- Patrick
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[Slydude]

A couple of thoughts occur to me that might need to exploration:

1. Since you are having trouble getting the trackpad working for any significant time, try using a mouse long enough to activate the tap-to-click feature and see how well that work.

2. Do you know someone with a current Magic Trackpad that you could borrow to test with your Mac? I think it will work, but I'm not sure. I can try it with a MacBook of the same vintage as your iMac, but I can't do that till tomorrow evening.

 

[Bob M.]

Thanks for the many excellent suggestions. I know why I keep returning here when I have computer snafus.

Patrick, thanks for the link on how to clean an Apple Magic Trackpad - I think I'll give that a try; some disassembly required!

Nick, I investigated the 'tap to click' and lo and behold - it works. There is a learning curve and sometime a single click is enough and sometimes not. I'm keeping both the trackpad and the mouse available/active until I become more tap to click proficient. But now at least I'm on the bottom rung of that ladder.

Somehow, I see a 1st gen (used) Apple trackpad in my future!

Regards,
Bob M.

 

[IWT]

Nick, I investigated the 'tap to click' and lo and behold - it works.

Give Nick a "Like". Good work on his behalf.

Ian

 

[pigoo3]

...I investigated the 'tap to click' and lo and behold - it works.

Awesome...glad it worked.

Most trackpads support both physical & tap-to-click options (without any additional software or drivers). To enable tap-to-click (as I'm guessing you found)...is in the the "Trackpad" System Preference area of the macOS.

This was mostly a suggestion so you could continue using the current trackpad...until you're able to do some research before getting something else. Sounds like you may prefer trackpad physical clicking...which would require something new/used if the current trackpad is kaput.

- Nick