I can't click and drag on my MacBook!

October 4, 2009 6:44 PM

I can't click and drag! I have a silver MacBook that I got in October. A few days ago, the trackpad stopped working and wouldn't let me click. I restarted, and it works for everything but clicking and dragging. (Does that make sense? I can't highlight text, or make a box to take a screen shot, or do a drag and drop, or anything that requires clicking and dragging.) I plugged in an external mouse to see if that would fix it, and it didn't. I did some googling and someone suggested Main Menu. I tried this and it didn't work. I still can't drag and drop! I would rather avoid the Genius Bar, though I am still under warranty. Can you help?
posted by iliketolaughalot to computers & internet (4 comments total)

Create a new account and see if the problem is there too.
posted by neustile at 6:53 PM on October 4

So, even an external mouse plugged into the MacBook won't let you click-and-drag? You might want to check your System Preferences, under "keyboard and mouse" and look for a preference that says something like "ignore trackpad input when an external mouse is detected" and THEN try the mouse.

While you're in there, double-check preferences for the trackpad. I believe there's a setting that makes the pad itself act as a button, and makes the actual button itself act funky for click-and-drag operations.

Next, run "Software Update" and make sure everything's up-to-date.

You can also search for your problem on Apple's MacBook support forums, as you could very well find a solution there.

If all else fails... yeah, a Genius trip might be in store for ya :(
posted by revmitcz at 6:54 PM on October 4

Ah. When I reconnected the mouse, it worked. I really thought it didn't before. Whoops.

This is good and bad, because it means that for now I can click and drag, but I have to make the dreaded appointment.

Thanks y'all.
posted by iliketolaughalot at 7:07 PM on October 4

Mine is doing something similar. It's like the trackpad will just randomly stop sending the "pressed" state. So I'll be dragging something and let it go some random place. I've found vigorously clicking the pad up and down will help for a bit. I'd have taken it to the genius bar, but there's no way I could be without my computer for a week or two during school.
posted by Brainy at 2:05 AM on October 5