Apple releases fix for quirky MacBook glass trackpads

***AppleInsider*** · 11-17-2008, 05:21 PM

Apple has released a software update to address an issue where trackpad clicks would randomly go unrecognized on its latest notebook offerings: the MacBook (Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (Late 2008).

"This firmware update addresses an issue where trackpad clicks may not be recognized on MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) computers," the company said.

Installing the update

You can download and install the update from the Software Update mechanism built into Mac OS X.

Alternatively, you can download the update manually and follow a two part process: installing the firmware update [Download - 923KB] application onto your hard drive and using the firmware update application to update your trackpad's firmware.

Installing the update manually

Ensure that your computer is plugged into an AC power source before you start. Then:
Close any open applications.
Download the MacBook, MacBook Pro Trackpad Firmware Update 1.0. The download will place a disk image that contains an installer onto your desktop. If you downloaded the update via Safari, Safari will notify you that an application is contained in the image. Click OK to continue.
If "Open safe files after downloading" is checked in Safari preferences, the disk image file will mount by itself. If that preference is not enabled in Safari, double-click the disk image to mount it.
Double-click the trackpad firmware update disk image to open it.
Double-click the TrackpadFirmwareUpdate.pkg file.
Read the introduction, then click Continue.
After reading the licensing agreement, click Continue.
To agree to its terms, click Agree.
Click Install to install the update application in /Applications/Utilities.
You will be asked for your administrator password. Enter the password and click OK.
After the software is successfully installed on your hard drive, an Installation Completed Successfully message appears. Click Close to start the updater application.
Read the onscreen firmware update installation instructions, then click Update to proceed. Note: The firmware update application may appear behind the installation window.
You will be asked again for you administrator password. Enter the password and click OK. A progress bar will appear while the update is being applied. The trackpad will not respond during the update. Do not interrupt the update or shut off power on your computer while the update is in progress.
When the update is complete, you will see "The update completed successfully" in the Status field of the updater application. Click Quit.

Once you've completed the above steps, your trackpad should be updated. You do not need to restart to recognize the benefits of the update.

AppleInsider readers are encouraged to report on their experiences with the update in the forum thread for this article.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

parky · 11-17-2008, 05:35 PM

Got mine via software update, much easier.

Not had a missed click at since I installed it.

pnajar · 11-17-2008, 05:35 PM

Update went smooth as silk

cccpr · 11-17-2008, 05:37 PM

Update went smoothly. FWIW, it never asked me to close any open apps and it still installed successfully. Clicking has been fine since installation.

foobar · 11-17-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cccpr

FWIW, it never asked me to close any open apps and it still installed successfully.

That's just a precaution suggested by the author. In the worst case another application could crash the Mac and leave the update half-done. That would be bad.

_newmacfanboy_ · 11-17-2008, 05:53 PM

No issues with the patch at all - now if they would only fix the damn external display bug this will pretty much be a perfect Mac..

sillyjerrypants · 11-17-2008, 05:55 PM

Any hopes for a software update to fix the extreme loudness of the trackpad when clicking? LOL.

Advice: Don't use this trackpad in a quiet room, you might wake people up or induce an arrhythmia.

rawhead · 11-17-2008, 06:05 PM

Oh sweet! Worked like a charm. No more missed clicks. I can finally go back to my usual style of using the trackpad (move cursor with forefinger, click with my thumb).

Namdnal Siroj · 11-17-2008, 06:10 PM

Most extensive user guide for installing EVER.

cobracg · 11-17-2008, 06:12 PM

Physical clicking and tap to click are significantly better with the update.

jdb8167 · 11-17-2008, 06:37 PM

I love my new MacBook except the trackpad was driving me batty. It would register clicks about 1/2 the time at best. The cursor would freeze. I usually couldn't select text successfully.

The firmware update went well and seems to have fixed all of those problems though the cursor freeze one was rare enough that it will take a day or two to be completely sure. But so far so good.

sdfisher · 11-17-2008, 07:10 PM

I see a butchered, copy-pasted Technical Support article with just enough changes to disguise its origins. What happened, AppleInsider? Couldn't get the link tag working?

eAi · 11-17-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdfisher

I see a butchered, copy-pasted Technical Support article with just enough changes to disguise its origins. What happened, AppleInsider? Couldn't get the link tag working?

Haven't you noticed thats what AppleInsider often does? Takes press releases and sticks random parts in quote marks...

This is Web 2.0 journalism!

sdfisher · 11-17-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eAi

Haven't you noticed thats what AppleInsider often does? Takes press releases and sticks random parts in quote marks...

This is Web 2.0 journalism!

To be honest, I gave up on AppleInsider for a long time over crap like this. I've only recently started reading again, because I find some of AI's unique content interesting. But copy-pasting a support article at the expense of providing a link to it is not just plagiarism or lazy, but actively asinine.

alanpgh@gmail.com · 11-17-2008, 08:36 PM

Trackpad works much better after the update. Much better performance. Nice Job Apple!

D-Love · 11-17-2008, 09:48 PM

So far so good. Update crashed on first attempt, actually had to hard power off the laptop because it wouldn't software re-start. After I re-booted however, the update went flawlessly and the glasspad is much more responsive on clicks. Haven't missed one yet. Small sample size, but it does feel much more responsive.

Ireland · 11-17-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namdnal Siroj

Most extensive user guide for installing EVER.

I was thinking the same thing. Lift your right index finger, click the button, go for tea, wash your hands LOL.

solipsism · 11-17-2008, 11:36 PM

It seems that my old habit of laying my thumbs on the trackpad, what used to be the mouse button, is enabled again.

MuncyWeb · 11-17-2008, 11:54 PM

News flash! One of the most valued features of the Mac has once again returned -- usability. LOL. What good is all that shiny glass and aluminum if you can't even use the thing right? I'm one of your biggest fans, Apple. But please, stop complicating things so much to the point that they become issues. And I would like to make a gentle suggestion that you work on the quality and testing of your products before launch. I don't recall my Performa 475 ever not being able to register clicks -- and it was large, beige and made of plastic.

Pachomius · 11-18-2008, 01:03 AM

I agree with your comment about testing before releasing - this annoying little problem was noticeable within 5 minutes of playing with my new MB.

But... now it's all fixed and I can't believe how perfectly it works - the glass feels even more silky smooth than before!

P

PG4G · 11-18-2008, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pachomius

I agree with your comment about testing before releasing - this annoying little problem was noticeable within 5 minutes of playing with my new MB.

But... now it's all fixed and I can't believe how perfectly it works - the glass feels even more silky smooth than before!

P

I love how a software update changes the physical reality of your trackpad :P

zanshin · 11-18-2008, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedmondFaithful

Hmmm, PoS with a glitchy trackpad, PoS without a glitchy trackpad.

Just another example of the inferiority of a device that is nothing new, no innovation.

Remind me again of how many problems are showing up with this latest wave of Apple garbage?

Oh, and copy/paste FTW!

...Unlike the advanced and clearly superior, error-free developments of the corporation which spent many tens of million$ to advertise that their flagship product isn't the piece of crap everyone who uses it believes it to be.

Remember, the first sign of insanity is that you believe everyone else is wrong.

JakeBarnes · 11-18-2008, 10:08 AM

The person from Redmond has a point, despite him or herself (I suspect a nerdy man, but you never know). Not the unsubstantiated general claim that Apple is producing 'garbage' of course, but the fact that quite a few of Apple's releases have suffered from glitches.

I'm typing this on an early 2008 MacBook Pro which experiences vertical dark stripes on the screen if you don't boot up with the brightness set six boxes or brighter from maximum. Apple still hasn't released a firmware/software fix for this.

Apple should do more testing. Not to do so weakens the brand name and their reputation for excellence.

jcw5002 · 11-18-2008, 12:29 PM

Wow!!! So much better. This is great. thanks apple!

robb01 · 11-18-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcw5002

Wow!!! So much better. This is great. thanks apple!

It sure is, what a pleasant surprise

__________________

11-17-2008, 05:21 PM	#1
*AppleInsider* Kasper's Automated Slave Join Date: Nov 1997 Posts: 6,157	Apple releases fix for quirky MacBook glass trackpads Apple has released a software update to address an issue where trackpad clicks would randomly go unrecognized on its latest notebook offerings: the MacBook (Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (Late 2008). "This firmware update addresses an issue where trackpad clicks may not be recognized on MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) computers," the company said. Installing the update You can download and install the update from the Software Update mechanism built into Mac OS X. Alternatively, you can download the update manually and follow a two part process: installing the firmware update [Download - 923KB] application onto your hard drive and using the firmware update application to update your trackpad's firmware. Installing the update manually Ensure that your computer is plugged into an AC power source before you start. Then: Close any open applications. Download the MacBook, MacBook Pro Trackpad Firmware Update 1.0. The download will place a disk image that contains an installer onto your desktop. If you downloaded the update via Safari, Safari will notify you that an application is contained in the image. Click OK to continue. If "Open safe files after downloading" is checked in Safari preferences, the disk image file will mount by itself. If that preference is not enabled in Safari, double-click the disk image to mount it. Double-click the trackpad firmware update disk image to open it. Double-click the TrackpadFirmwareUpdate.pkg file. Read the introduction, then click Continue. After reading the licensing agreement, click Continue. To agree to its terms, click Agree. Click Install to install the update application in /Applications/Utilities. You will be asked for your administrator password. Enter the password and click OK. After the software is successfully installed on your hard drive, an Installation Completed Successfully message appears. Click Close to start the updater application. Read the onscreen firmware update installation instructions, then click Update to proceed. Note: The firmware update application may appear behind the installation window. You will be asked again for you administrator password. Enter the password and click OK. A progress bar will appear while the update is being applied. The trackpad will not respond during the update. Do not interrupt the update or shut off power on your computer while the update is in progress. When the update is complete, you will see "The update completed successfully" in the Status field of the updater application. Click Quit. Once you've completed the above steps, your trackpad should be updated. You do not need to restart to recognize the benefits of the update. AppleInsider readers are encouraged to report on their experiences with the update in the forum thread for this article. [ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

11-17-2008, 05:35 PM	#3
pnajar Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1	Update Update went smooth as silk

11-17-2008, 05:53 PM	#6
_newmacfanboy_ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6	working great No issues with the patch at all - now if they would only fix the damn external display bug this will pretty much be a perfect Mac..

11-17-2008, 05:55 PM	#7
sillyjerrypants Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1	Any chance? Any hopes for a software update to fix the extreme loudness of the trackpad when clicking? LOL. Advice: Don't use this trackpad in a quiet room, you might wake people up or induce an arrhythmia.

11-17-2008, 06:37 PM	#11
jdb8167 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5	Yay! It works I love my new MacBook except the trackpad was driving me batty. It would register clicks about 1/2 the time at best. The cursor would freeze. I usually couldn't select text successfully. The firmware update went well and seems to have fixed all of those problems though the cursor freeze one was rare enough that it will take a day or two to be completely sure. But so far so good.

11-17-2008, 05:35 PM	#2
parky Banned Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 383	Got mine via software update, much easier. Not had a missed click at since I installed it.

11-17-2008, 05:37 PM	#4
cccpr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2	Update went smoothly. FWIW, it never asked me to close any open apps and it still installed successfully. Clicking has been fine since installation.

11-17-2008, 06:05 PM	#8
rawhead Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 88	Oh sweet! Worked like a charm. No more missed clicks. I can finally go back to my usual style of using the trackpad (move cursor with forefinger, click with my thumb).

11-17-2008, 06:10 PM	#9
Namdnal Siroj Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 39	Most extensive user guide for installing EVER.

11-17-2008, 06:12 PM	#10
cobracg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2	Physical clicking and tap to click are significantly better with the update.

11-17-2008, 07:10 PM	#12
sdfisher Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 55	I see a butchered, copy-pasted Technical Support article with just enough changes to disguise its origins. What happened, AppleInsider? Couldn't get the link tag working?

11-17-2008, 08:36 PM	#15
alanpgh@gmail.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 11	Trackpad works much better after the update. Much better performance. Nice Job Apple!

11-17-2008, 09:48 PM	#16
D-Love Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2	So far so good. Update crashed on first attempt, actually had to hard power off the laptop because it wouldn't software re-start. After I re-booted however, the update went flawlessly and the glasspad is much more responsive on clicks. Haven't missed one yet. Small sample size, but it does feel much more responsive.

11-17-2008, 11:36 PM	#18
solipsism Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Ansible Posts: 11,816	It seems that my old habit of laying my thumbs on the trackpad, what used to be the mouse button, is enabled again. Do your part to clean up AppleInsider forums: User CP » Edit Ignore List » Teckstud

11-17-2008, 11:54 PM	#19
MuncyWeb Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tobaccoville, North Carolina Posts: 51	Simple Usability News flash! One of the most valued features of the Mac has once again returned -- usability. LOL. What good is all that shiny glass and aluminum if you can't even use the thing right? I'm one of your biggest fans, Apple. But please, stop complicating things so much to the point that they become issues. And I would like to make a gentle suggestion that you work on the quality and testing of your products before launch. I don't recall my Performa 475 ever not being able to register clicks -- and it was large, beige and made of plastic. Always remember..wherever you go, there you are.

11-18-2008, 01:03 AM	#20
Pachomius Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 47	I agree with your comment about testing before releasing - this annoying little problem was noticeable within 5 minutes of playing with my new MB. But... now it's all fixed and I can't believe how perfectly it works - the glass feels even more silky smooth than before! P

11-18-2008, 10:08 AM	#23
JakeBarnes Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Paris, France Posts: 22	The person from Redmond has a point, despite him or herself (I suspect a nerdy man, but you never know). Not the unsubstantiated general claim that Apple is producing 'garbage' of course, but the fact that quite a few of Apple's releases have suffered from glitches. I'm typing this on an early 2008 MacBook Pro which experiences vertical dark stripes on the screen if you don't boot up with the brightness set six boxes or brighter from maximum. Apple still hasn't released a firmware/software fix for this. Apple should do more testing. Not to do so weakens the brand name and their reputation for excellence.

11-18-2008, 12:29 PM	#24
jcw5002 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 31	Wow!!! So much better. This is great. thanks apple!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode