First the "X" Key, Now the "H" Key

[Marrk]

Today, I was typing the word "the," and all I got was "te." It was impossible to get the "H" key to work. This sort of thing happened before with the "X" key.

Any ideas as to what could be causing this type of intermittent failure?

 

[chscag]

You need to do some googling about all the keyboard problems that's affecting your model MacBook Pro. There are now two class action suits against Apple regarding keyboard problems with the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros.

We advise you to contact Apple and make an appointment with them and let them look at your keyboard. In the meantime, do some research on the problem. We have previously posted about this in our forums.

Check out this post I made some time ago. LINK

 

[Marrk]

Will do.

Thanks.

 

[Marrk]

Before I take this thing in, I'd like to back up a few passwords onto a thumb drive. (This backup would be in addition to a complete TimeMachine backup on a dedicated drive.) What kind of thumb drive do you guys recommend? I'd probably be shopping at Staples or Office Depot.

Thanks.

 

[pm-r]

Today, I was typing the word "the," and all I got was "te." It was impossible to get the "H" key to work. This sort of thing happened before with the "X" key

In the interim and you desperately need those characters, just enable the menu Keyboard Viewer and use your mouse or trackpad pointer to select the letters you need.

Enabled via the System Prefs > Keyboard.

Selecting the letter in the Keyboard Viewer window will enter it where you are normally typing at the insertion bar.

You could also try the built-in Dictation.




- Patrick
======

 

[chscag]

What kind of thumb drive do you guys recommend? I'd probably be shopping at Staples or Office Depot.

Any good quality flash drive should suffice. Both Staples and Office Depot stock many varieties of flash drives.

We also highly recommend you make a cloned backup of your SSD in addition to Time Machine. Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper are apps that can do the cloning. Of course that means you will need an additional external hard drive.

 

[pm-r]

Any good quality flash drive should suffice.

And then just use Disk Utility.app (Utility folder) to Partition (one) and format (GUID and Mac HFS+) the drive.

PS: Don't forget you may need a USB adapter cable!!!




- Patrick
======

 

[Marrk]

And then just use Disk Utility.app (Utility folder) to Partition (one) and format (GUID and Mac HFS+) the drive.

PS: Don't forget you may need a USB adapter cable!!!




- Patrick
======

Thanks. I was hoping that someone would remind me of this.

 

[Marrk]

Any good quality flash drive should suffice. Both Staples and Office Depot stock many varieties of flash drives.

We also highly recommend you make a cloned backup of your SSD in addition to Time Machine. Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper are apps that can do the cloning. Of course that means you will need an additional external hard drive.

This is broaching the limits of my computer intelligence. Let me see if I understand. I have to buy one of these two apps., and use it to make a "clone" onto a dedicated hard drive? In other words, you are saying that a TimeMachine backup is insufficient?

 

[ferrarr]

No, you don't "need" to buy either app. They both have free trial versions, and they can both be used for free, with limited options.


I will say, I've used CCC more than SuperDuper! because the free version also copies the recovery partition. I usually only use when replacing a drive.

Time Machine is sufficient, these apps just offer a different option.

 

[pm-r]

Thanks. I was hoping that someone would remind me of this.

BTW: Just in case you weren't aware, here's comment I came accross for those MBPro models:

However, note that the two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the right side of the notebook operate at reduced speed.

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...retina-display-touch-bar-specs.html#macspecs2

Don't ask me why, but I'd guess not the best port choice to use for backups if one wants the best speed one can get!!!


EDIT: More related info here:
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/28/macbook-pro-tb3-reduced-pci-express-bandwidth/




- Patrick
======

 

[Marrk]

@ ferrarr: Duly noted. I really don't want to buy another drive and do a clone if I can avoid it. Thank you.

 

[Marrk]

@pm-r: Thanks. I'm beginning to think that this whole $3,000 new notebook thing was a really bad idea.

Has anyone here had their keyboard replaced? How did it go?

 

[chscag]

Has anyone here had their keyboard replaced? How did it go?

Did you read thru that long thread I linked you to? That thread is from the MacRumors forum and contains remarks from users and their experience with Apple and replacing the keyboard.

And another bit of advice.... Don't look aside at using CCC or SuperDuper to make a clone on your drive. Time Machine backups are fine and in fact they can be used to boot your machine via EFI but that involves a whole lot of work and it's hit and miss. Only you can decide how valuable your data and time is. ;D

 

[pm-r]

I will say, I've used CCC more than SuperDuper! because the free version also copies the recovery partition. I usually only use when replacing a drive.

Time Machine is sufficient, these apps just offer a different option.

And another bit of advice.... Don't look aside at using CCC or SuperDuper to make a clone on your drive. Time Machine backups are fine…

Time Machine may be sufficient and fine, but I sure wouldn't call it the most reliable in my experience, and would definitely add my opinion to add using CCC and/or SD! as well, especially if there is critical data involved.


BTW: Have you tried using an aerosol can of compressed air with its tube directed to your keyboard keys while holding it upside down??
Plus maybe also using a thin bristled toothbrush around the keys.

I'm assuming that no sugary drink was spilled on the keyboard as that't a completely different problem.




- Patrick
======

 

[chscag]

Compressed air is not going to work on those new keyboards as has been pointed out in the many threads and class action suits. The butterfly type contacts on those very thin and close travel keys can get easily contaminated by dust and dirt. Dry skin from fingers can also get underneath those keys. Unfortunately, there is no way (without causing more damage) that those very thin butterfly contacts can be cleaned.

These keyboards that are causing so many problems are something that Apple is going to have to take responsibility for. I believe we will soon see free repairs (keyboard replacements) for those affected machines. The price Apple is charging for out of warranty replacement for the keyboard is around $700 as the top case must also be replaced at the same time.

Of course, if a spill was involved Apple will not do repairs for free.

 

[pm-r]

Compressed air is not going to work on those new keyboards as has been pointed out in the many threads and class action suits

OK and thanks Charlie. I know of the general problem but haven't followed much in the way of details and the air/brush "fix" not working.

I wonder when and if Apple will finally step up to the plate???

And even their current repair cost is ridiculous when it seems it was their own design fault.


Edit:
And BTW: Maybe someone should tell Apple that their suggested compress air doesn't work:
How to clean the keyboard of your MacBook or MacBook Pro
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205662

2. Use compressed air to spray the keyboard, or just the affected keys, in a left-to-right m

otion.

I'd still give it a try and a brush job, and maybe even a light spay of some dry lube around the edges of the keys. Make sure it's compatible and safe to use on plastics!!!

The keys can't be completely full of gunk and debris so not to depress and make contact, surly to Betsy…

EDIT:

These keyboards that are causing so many problems are something that Apple is going to have to take responsibility

I wonder how many petitions there are out there like this one:
Apple: Recall MacBook Pro w/ Defective Keyboard, Replace with DIFFERENT Working Keyboard
https://www.change.org/p/apple-appl...board-replace-with-different-working-keyboard





- Patrick
======

 

[Marrk]

Time Machine may be sufficient and fine, but I sure wouldn't call it the most reliable in my experience, and would definitely add my opinion to add using CCC and/or SD! as well, especially if there is critical data involved.


BTW: Have you tried using an aerosol can of compressed air with its tube directed to your keyboard keys while holding it upside down??
Plus maybe also using a thin bristled toothbrush around the keys.

I'm assuming that no sugary drink was spilled on the keyboard as that't a completely different problem.




- Patrick
======

I'd may do the clone thing. I'm just not very computer-savvy.

I use compressed air on the keyboard every day. I'm a fanatic about it. But I haven't done it upside down. In addition, one of those links above says that the "butterfly" of the key could be, not just blocked, but broken. In any case, I will try what you advise.

 

[Marrk]

And then just use Disk Utility.app (Utility folder) to Partition (one) and format (GUID and Mac HFS+) the drive.

PS: Don't forget you may need a USB adapter cable!!!
======

Brand new PNY thumb drive. Haven't done anything with it except plug it in to the USB port. I have selected the thumb drive in Disk Utility, but it won't let me Partition. The Partition button is greyed out.

?

 

[ferrarr]

Erase the drive first.