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The March 2015 update of Apple's 13" MacBook Pro Retina Display, model A1502, features fifth-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and introduces the Force Touch trackpad.

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Keyboard works only before OS boots, but not after

The laptop's keyboard responds when I press the power button. It also responds when I press Alt upon startup, to choose the startup disk.

However, it stops being recognised at all time, after the system boots.

Also, the trackpad fails to be recognised at all times: before AND after boot.

What is wrong here?

Is it a hardware problem?

EDIT I cleaned the connectors and here is the result: the keyboard WORKS all the time. But the trackpad never works.

Both external mouse and keyboard work.

However, The trackpad cable should not be to blame because it worked normally with the previous logic board that was in this laptop.

NOTE I just found out both Thunderbolt ports are not recognised, and the wifi card is not working (but Bluetooth works). Don't know if it's linked to the trackpad in any way

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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4 Comments

Do you have a USB keyboard and mouse to try out?

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Can you give us some background here on the system. Did you have a liquid spill at some point? Did you bang or drop the system?

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Does this laptop have water damage?

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Haven't found any trace of water. No sticker has been triggered, and no apparent trace on the board

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1 Answer

Chosen Solution

Most likely the trackpad cable, common failure in this model. If the trackpad is not recognised, only the power button on the keyboard will work when in an OS, no other keys will work.

Try a trackpad cable first, take it from there

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7 Comments:

You beat me to it ;-}

I was hoping Alex would have verified the external keyboard & mouse worked which then verifies the ribbon cable is bad.

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Hi there, thanks for your response. I cleaned the connectors and here is the result: the keyboard WORKS all the time. But the trackpad never works.

Both external mouse and keyboard work.

However, The trackpad cable should not be to blame because it worked normally with the previous logic board that was in this laptop.

Not sure what is wrong here...

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I just found out both Thunderbolt ports are not recognised, and the wifi card is not working (but Bluetooth works). Don't know if it's linked to the trackpad in any way

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Nope, ThunderBolt ports are likely an issue with the circuit or possibly corrosion around the through hole soldering (in which case, the ports will need to be replaced) and the WiFi card has likely failed; sometimes either WiFi or BT can fail and the other function will be working.

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I agree with @reecee - Sounds like your environment is very humid so you've got a bit of corrosion damage here (thats if the system didn't get wet some how).

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