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rdklinc
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Button makes electronic "click" sound when pressed

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Here's a weird one -- I've got a 14" iBook G4 that makes a subtle electronic click sound when the button is pressed. It also makes this sound when the space to the LEFT of the button is pressed, like just pressing on the plastic of the topcase is triggering it as well. Very odd, I know. The sound almost sounds intentional, as if it's supposed to happen, and it's very subtle and high pitch, like two pieces of glass or metal lightly tapping. It's kind of pleasant, actually. It's definitely an electronic sound.

Anyway, I've had a few machines do this over the last couple years, and while it's not a huge horrible problem, it would be interesting to know what causes it. The machine has a fresh OS, so it's not a tweak to the button settings, etc.

Does it sound like an HDD sound?

rab777hp,

when you say "button", are you talking about the power button, or the trackpad button?

bac,

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Harry
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If you look in System Preferences>Track Pad>Clicker you'll find the solution. Clicks like the clickwheel on an ipod. OR not, depends on the setting.

That's a good thought, but I remember checking that, and it wasn't it. The clicking didn't happen all the time. Since I know it wasn't the hard drive either, I can only assume it was some kind of electrical flaw in the topcase. Ah well, I'm not going to lose any more sleep over it unless I come across a similar machine.

rdklinc,

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rab777hp
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Maybe a simple PRAM reset will work.

Tried that, good idea though.

rdklinc,

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rj713
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The way the power button is installed I would suspect a mechanical rubbing and release is the cause of the click. Pressing on the top case would have a similar result I should think. Ralph

He says it's definitely mechanical

rab777hp,

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rab777hp
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If it's definately hard drive then verify/repair/replace

I'm not convinced...it makes the sound when the button is pressed...I've never known hard drives to make a distinct sound on command.

rdklinc,

I have a feeling that he needs to open it up and take a look.

rab777hp,

Sorry, I meant to say it's definitely NOT the hard drive, but I forgot the "not". :-) It was a minor issue and I sold the machine, so I'll have to wait for the next one to solve the mystery. Thanks for the brainstorming though!

rdklinc,

Oh- lol, well looks like the old pass-it-along-to-someone-else solution did the trick here.

rab777hp,

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Harry
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Now that my trackpad stopped clicking by itself, I'm not sure what's going on. It seems the button to select" clicker" in system preferences enables the trackpad to behave like the select button below it.

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