My keyboard is not a morning person

I have a MacBook Pro, which has served me well for several years. It originally ran Lion and has been updated to Mountain Lion, but I have resisted going further in case I overstretch the MacBook’s capabilities.

One thing I have noticed though is that the built-in keyboard and trackpad often don’t work when I start up in the morning or resume from sleep.

I have searched online and done all the recommended actions, including resetting the PRAM and SMC, and restoring Lion. Would upgrading the system to Mavericks or Yosemite help? Olivier Parmentier This sounds more like a hardware than a software problem to me. The 2008 MacBook Pro, for example, has a ribbon cable for the keyboard and trackpad that runs underneath the battery. This can come slightly loose over time and cause an intermittent connection. Initially this can look like a software error because slight thermal expansion can cause the connection to only break when the Mac is warm – or, alternatively, only when it has been shut down for a while and is cold.

Try removing the battery and gently prodding the ribbon cable with your finger. If the keyboard starts (or stops) working as you do this, then you’re on to something. I have found that sometimes just taping a small square of tissue paper, to apply a little extra pressure on the cable while the battery is installed, can be enough to buy you a bit more life from your MacBook.