I recently changed my Macbook keyboard the entire topcase, but it is not working at all. I can turn on the machine using the power button on the keyboard and cannot use the keyboard.
"I agree, check the plug and verify it's connecting on all pins.
Next, since the power button seems to be working, I would try resetting the PMU. With the power off and while connected to AC, hold the power button in for about 10 seconds, until you hear a tone and see the sleep light flashing. I'm wondering if this might cause it to start working.
There is only one cable from the topcase to the board, so the odd thing is that the power button works, but that the keyboard doesn't. Is this a new topcase, or a used topcase? Have you witnessed this topcase working in another laptop?
I have seen Software Update doing a ""keyboard firmware"" update when I have attached an older (1.0?) topcase to newer A1181, I assume to update it to the newer (2.0?) topcase firmware. While I'm not convinced that the firmware of the topcase is the issue, since I've never had a problem with any topcase working on any A1181, I would be curious to if by connecting a USB mouse/keyboard to the computer and running Software Update, you might be able to update the topcase firmware, and see what that does.
Again, it's a stretch, but besides the keyboard just being bad, that's all that comes to mind."
"I have the same problem. I replaced the BlueTooth board in my MacBook Core Duo, and that required removing almost everything, including the keyboard/trackpad. After I reassembled everything, I was able to turn on the MacBook (a button which is on the keyboard) but now neither the keyboard or the trackpad work.
I opened the machine again, checked the cable, unseated and reseated the connector, and turned the machine back on. It didn't help.
I tried resetting the PRAM by holding the power button down ten seconds while off, until it came on and I heard the tone. That didn't help either.
Neither did resetting the SMC (holding the power button down 5 seconds with the power disconnected and the battery removed).
The only thing left for me to do, it seems, is replace the upper case cable in hopes that it was what failed during the machine maintenance.
UPDATE: I replaced the Upper Case Cable, and now the keyboard and trackpad are back to working status. I suggest if you're having this problem, to try replacing this part. It's cheaper than buying an Apple Bluetooth keyboard."
"I solved the problem, but I don't know how. I opened the computer, cleaned it up (it was not so bad after almost 5 years!), disassembled the keyboard and touch pad, cleaned the connectors (already looked clean) and reassembled the computer again. When I restarted the computer, the keyboard and touch pad still did not work.
After reseting the PRAM (or what they call it?) by hold the start button for ten seconds (begin with computer off) they both worked again."
New battery fixed my problem for the most part. The only times it has lost keyboard & trackpad communication has been a couple of times in the past month when I let the battery die down to nothing, then re-starting the computer with power cable in fixed it both times. No problem if I keep it up over 5% power in the battery and I think the fact the old batter was swollen in the middle and was losing power had something to do with causing this problem more and more often as the batter got older. It would be good if Apple confessed to the cause of this problem and provided sound advice.
