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Keyboard, Trackpad, and Power button not working

Hello all,

I recently disassembled my Early 08 MacBook to try and troubleshoot an issue with the battery (wouldn't charge on my MacBook, charges on my buddy's, same year & model). Upon reassembling the computer, the pins on the keyboard ribbon cable came in contact with the solder pieces from the keyboard slot on the logic board. I know the ribbon cable on the keyboard has pins on each side, but it was the pins on the back side that made contact with the solder for pins on the front. There was power running in the system (I know, very stupid decision) only from the MagSafe adapter, but the computer itself was off. The keyboard and trackpad are reconnected now, but the computer doesn't respond to anything from the top case. The power button is not working, so the only way to turn on the computer is with the bridge on the LB. Upon starting it up, the keyboard and trackpad aren't listed in System Profiler. I feel like I probably shorted the top case or wrecked the cable, but can someone give me their two cents? Thanks!

Early 2008 Black MacBook running OSX Leopard 10.5.8

Edit: runs ok with USB keyboard and mouse, new eject icon displayed in top bar. Tried to boot in safe mode, reset SMC and PRAM, but have not been able to do any.

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I agree with your assessment. Since the components do not show up in System Profiler the short is either at the connector, or the keyboard. You could try replacing the ribbon cable (arching often makes a permanent short) if that doesn't work you'll have to replace the entire top case.

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Thank you for the quick response. I checked the system profiler, and 7 USB Buses (?) were found there, and 7 were found on my buddy's working MacBook, so I would think that the LB isn't causing the problem. I would consider replacing the ribbon cable first, but the top case had started to chip on it's own even before it stopped working, so I'm considering taking it to the Genius bar and seeing if it'd be covered under the recall for top cases.

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Just updated the MacBook from 10.5.8 to 10.6.8, and miraculously, the power button is functioning now! That seems as though it points more towards the keyboard and trackpad not being functional as much as the ribbon cable being dead.....just a guess

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Dan will be eternally grateful.
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