TITLE
    PowerBook: How to Clean the Trackball
Article ID:
Author:
Created:
Modified: 		9300

12/11/91
3/9/98
TOPIC

    My PowerBook's trackball doesn't work smoothly; it appears to "stick" or "jump" when rolled.

DISCUSSION


    Most PowerBook trackball problems are due to contamination of the rollers. The trackball is just like the standard Apple mouse in that dust and debris can accumulate on the rollers and impede smooth movement of the trackball.

    Symptoms of a Dirty Trackball
    =============================

    Symptoms that your trackball is dirty are:
    • The trackball appears to stick or jump when rolled.
    • The cursor will not track horizontally or vertically.
    • It sometimes seems like the cursor is hitting a wall.
    • On-screen buttons fail to activate when you click on them.
    • The movement of the cursor on the screen isnt smooth.
    • The trackball is physically difficult to roll.

    How to Clean the Trackball
    ==========================

    1) Remove the trackball retaining ring by turning it counterclockwise
    until it pops out (about 1/4 turn). You dont need tools for this;
    you can just press against the two small ridges on the ring with
    your fingernails.

    2) Lift the retaining ring and trackball out of its cavity.

    3) Locate the small rubber rollers at the left and bottom sides of the
    trackball cavity. Depending on your model, they may look like small
    rings or wheels.

    4) Use any reasonably clean, blunt object (such as your finger or a
    cotton swab) to wipe off the rollers. Do not use any liquid,
    including any amount of cleaning fluid or water, inside the computer.

    5) Locate the three white or red bearings located at approximately clockwise
    4:00, 7:00, and 11:00 in all PowerBooks except the PowerBook 100,
    which has three black posts instead of bearings. Using a fingertip,
    dry cotton swab, or other blunt object, clean them of any debris.

    6) Replace the trackball and the retaining ring.

    In addition, on a PowerBook 140 or 170, reseating the cables on the trackball and keyboard may solve the problem. This is very effective if the failure is related to the computer heating up. These cables are located inside the PowerBook, so your authorized service provider or Apple must do this.

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