4540s sometimes no keyboard or trackpad at login screen

[bcw1000]

Mavericks is largely working on my HP ProBook 4540s:

• SKU:BYC250A#ABG
• Configuration ID: A1009D11
• i5-3210M.
• 16GB RAM

I used the ProBook 6.1.9 Installer and followed RehabMan's Guide.

I know of one problem: Sometimes when I boot the machine, at the log in screen, the keyboard and trackpad do not respond at all. Plugging in an external USB mouse lights the mouse up, but the machine takes no note of it, nor of an external USB keyboard.

So far, I have waited several minutes, and then forced the machine off with the power button. The machine allows me to log in more often than not, and shows no other consequences.

Sleep appears to work without any problems.

Any ideas?

My Installer choices:
OS X Support kexts

4x40s support kexts
​

DSDT generator/patcher

ProBook model​

4x40s/6x70b ... Ivy​

Fan behaviour​

Readings only​

Display type​

Low-resolution screen​

Optional patches
​

Intel USB 3.0 patch
SSDT generator
System Definitions

i3/i5 Ivy Bridge
​

Chameleon r2266
Optional hardware-specific fixes

EDID generator
​

Misc OS X fixes

Color profiles​

blinkscreen
​

Extra tools

All except HWMonitor (SL)
​

 

[bcw1000]

Some further experimenting...

When the keyboard/trackpad hangs, I have now tried plugging the mouse into the USB 3 ports on the left side, and that gives me control over the pointer, and also allows keyboard input.

Un-plugging the mouse stops the keyboard from working again, and appears to blank out the characters typed into the password field. Re-plugging the mouse restores the dots which stand in for characters and allows the keyboard to work again.

Does the 4540s use USB internally to connect the keyboard and trackpad?

 

[custom-mac]

Just make sure GenericUSB.kext or whatever it is called is not in S/L/E. As you applied USB3.0 patch. PBI would not copy that only when USB3.0 is selected, but you may have some old one lingering around. Just make sure it is not on your system.

 

[RehabMan]

Does the 4540s use USB internally to connect the keyboard and trackpad?

No. Internal keyboard and trackpad on most (all?) PC laptops are PS2 interface.

 

[RehabMan]

Just make sure GenericUSB.kext or whatever it is called is not in S/L/E. As you applied USB3.0 patch. PBI would not copy that only when USB3.0 is selected, but you may have some old one lingering around. Just make sure it is not on your system.

+1. You can also check in IORegistryExplorer and look at the XHC1 node.

You should also try an EC reset.

Finally, repair permissions & rebuild cache would not be a bad idea...

And to verify one thing. Are you booting from your HDD (without the help of the Unibeast USB)?

 

[bcw1000]

This was the result of a clean install onto a drive which was partitioned and wiped by Disk Utility. I used the Probook Installer 6.1.9 and your Guide for Mavericks. Mavericks was downloaded from the App Store. At no point was Unibeast involved.

+1. You can also check in IORegistryExplorer and look at the XHC1 node.

You should also try an EC reset.

Finally, repair permissions & rebuild cache would not be a bad idea...

And to verify one thing. Are you booting from your HDD (without the help of the Unibeast USB)?

Well, I might do these things if I knew how to do them. Are there posts you can indicate, or other source to tell me the steps to take to carry out these actions? Eventually I might find them on my own, but if you already know where they may be found, that could speed the process greatly.

I do recall the recent post you pointed me at to retrieve an earlier copy of IORegistryExplorer to use - I believe because the current one available in Xcode didn't work for some reason? I should be able to find that and I'll see if I can make sense of the rest of your request from there.

What is an "EC reset"? (... or is there a post?)

"repair permissions & rebuild cache" is reminiscent of some steps that are involved in using the Multibeast or manual approach to getting OS X running on a Hackintosh - I haven't used them, except with a basic Snow Leopard install that still relies on iBoot (my attempts to duplicate the iBoot set up failed, and as Snow Leopard can't run modern Xcode, it wasn't worth continuing with - it builds USB install keys just fine). Is there a post about how to do these steps?

In the meantime, as this doesn't appear to be a known issue with a positive solution, I'm going to pull the drive I used and do another install (same parameters) on an(other) SSD. In addition to suiting my long-term needs, this will also give more input about the problem - if there is one after that. In fact, the results I attained this time are the best to date.

I will keep the current drive for a day or so in case you would really like the answers above (from a QA perspective, since this is another 4540s configuration and the situation appears to be entirely the result of the ProBook installer's actions). But for an hour's investment, switching drives is the most useful way forward for me - whether the problem goes away or occurs again, I learn something quickly.

Cheers,
Bret

 

[RehabMan]

This was the result of a clean install onto a drive which was partitioned and wiped by Disk Utility. I used the Probook Installer 6.1.9 and your Guide for Mavericks. Mavericks was downloaded from the App Store. At no point was Unibeast involved.

You used Unibeast to create your installer flash drive.

Well, I might do these things if I knew how to do them. Are there posts you can indicate, or other source to tell me the steps to take to carry out these actions? Eventually I might find them on my own, but if you already know where they may be found, that could speed the process greatly.

I do recall the recent post you pointed me at to retrieve an earlier copy of IORegistryExplorer to use - I believe because the current one available in Xcode didn't work for some reason? I should be able to find that and I'll see if I can make sense of the rest of your request from there.

What is an "EC reset"? (... or is there a post?)

"repair permissions & rebuild cache" is reminiscent of some steps that are involved in using the Multibeast or manual approach to getting OS X running on a Hackintosh - I haven't used them, except with a basic Snow Leopard install that still relies on iBoot (my attempts to duplicate the iBoot set up failed, and as Snow Leopard can't run modern Xcode, it wasn't worth continuing with - it builds USB install keys just fine). Is there a post about how to do these steps?

ec reset: shutdown, remove battery, remove ac plug, hold power 30 sec, put everything back & restart.

repair permissions: see Disk Utility
rebuild cache: use DPCIManager (there are many other tools)

 

[bcw1000]

I haven't re-installed yet. Lunch beckoned.

You used Unibeast to create your installer flash drive.

You are correct. I must have been operating in clue-free mode.

ec reset: shutdown, remove battery, remove ac plug, hold power 30 sec, put everything back & restart.

Done.

I have BIOS settings NOT TO power on when the lid is opened, but TO wake when the lid is opened. With the lid closed or with the lid open, just the act of pushing the battery home with the power adapter still disconnected powers on the machine. This doesn't seem quite right.

repair permissions: see Disk Utility

**********
2013-11-03 13:30:07 +0800: Disk Utility started.

2013-11-03 13:30:19 +0800: Verifying permissions for “Mavericks”
2013-11-03 13:30:42 +0800: Group differs on “Library/Java”; should be 0; group is 80.
2013-11-03 13:30:42 +0800: Permissions differ on “Library/Java”; should be drwxr-xr-x ; they are drwxrwxr-x .
2013-11-03 13:31:01 +0800: Permissions differ on “System/Library/Frameworks/Ruby.framework/Versions/2.0/usr/lib/libruby.2.0.dylib”; should be lrwxrwxrwx ; they are lrwxr-xr-x .
2013-11-03 13:31:29 +0800: 

2013-11-03 13:31:29 +0800: Permissions verification complete
2013-11-03 13:31:29 +0800: 

2013-11-03 13:31:29 +0800: 

2013-11-03 13:32:45 +0800: Repairing permissions for “Mavericks”
2013-11-03 13:33:09 +0800: Group differs on “Library/Java”; should be 0; group is 80.
2013-11-03 13:33:09 +0800: Permissions differ on “Library/Java”; should be drwxr-xr-x ; they are drwxrwxr-x .
2013-11-03 13:33:09 +0800: Repaired “Library/Java”
2013-11-03 13:33:27 +0800: Permissions differ on “System/Library/Frameworks/Ruby.framework/Versions/2.0/usr/lib/libruby.2.0.dylib”; should be lrwxrwxrwx ; they are lrwxr-xr-x .
2013-11-03 13:33:27 +0800: Repaired “System/Library/Frameworks/Ruby.framework/Versions/2.0/usr/lib/libruby.2.0.dylib”
2013-11-03 13:33:53 +0800: 

2013-11-03 13:33:53 +0800: Permissions repair complete
2013-11-03 13:33:53 +0800: 

2013-11-03 13:33:53 +0800: 

2013-11-03 13:36:38 +0800: Verifying volume “Mavericks”
2013-11-03 13:36:38 +0800: Starting verification tool: 
2013-11-03 13:36:38 +0800: Checking file system
2013-11-03 13:36:41 +0800: Performing live verification.
2013-11-03 13:36:41 +0800: Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
2013-11-03 13:36:45 +0800: Checking catalog hierarchy.
2013-11-03 13:36:55 +0800: Repair tool completed: 
2013-11-03 13:36:55 +0800:

rebuild cache: use DPCIManager (there are many other tools)

The most recent version listed on SourceForge is for Mountain Lion. Throwing caution to the winds...

3/11/2013 1:57:14 pm, com.apple.kextcache[376]: /: no supported helper partitions to update.
3/11/2013 1:57:14 pm, com.apple.kextcache[376]: Lock acquired; proceeding.
3/11/2013 1:57:14 pm, com.apple.kextcache[373]: /: no supported helper partitions to update.
3/11/2013 1:57:14 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: Created prelinked kernel /System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/kernelcache.
3/11/2013 1:56:57 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.Accusys.driver.Acxxx  300029000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:56 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: WARNING - Invalid signature -67062 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0A for kext "/System/Library/Extensions/ACPIBatteryManager.kext"
3/11/2013 1:56:56 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: WARNING - Invalid signature -67062 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0A for kext "/System/Library/Extensions/ACPIPoller.kext"
3/11/2013 1:56:56 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: WARNING - Invalid signature -67061 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0B for kext "/System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext"
3/11/2013 1:56:56 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: WARNING - Invalid signature -67030 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA2A for kext "/System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleHDAHardwareConfigDriver.kext"
3/11/2013 1:56:55 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: WARNING - Invalid signature -67061 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0B for kext "/System/Library/Extensions/AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement.kext"
3/11/2013 1:56:55 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: WARNING - Invalid signature -67061 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0B for kext "/System/Library/Extensions/AppleIntelFramebufferCapri.kext"
3/11/2013 1:56:54 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: WARNING - Invalid signature -67061 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0B for kext "/System/Library/Extensions/AppleRTC.kext"
3/11/2013 1:56:54 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.ATTO.driver.ATTOCelerityFC  304089000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:54 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.ATTO.driver.ATTOExpressPCIUl4  404029000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:53 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.ATTO.driver.ATTOExpressSASHBA  200009000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:53 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.ATTO.driver.ATTOExpressSASHBA3  100059000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:53 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.ATTO.driver.ATTOExpressSASRAID  307029000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:53 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext org.netkas.driver.FakeSMC  110000009000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:53 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext org.hwsensors.driver.ACPISensors  110000009000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:53 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext org.hwsensors.driver.CPUSensors  110000009000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:53 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.jmicron.driver.HSSDBlockStorage  105009000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:53 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: WARNING - Invalid signature -67061 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0B for kext "/System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext"
3/11/2013 1:56:53 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: WARNING - Invalid signature -67062 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0A for kext "/System/Library/Extensions/IOath3kfrmwr.kext"
3/11/2013 1:56:52 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.jmicron.driver.JMB38X  105009000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:52 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.jmicron.JMicronATA  101069000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:51 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext com.insanelymac.RealtekRTL8111  101029000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:51 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext org.rehabman.voodoo.driver.PS2Controller  108089000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:51 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext org.rehabman.voodoo.driver.PS2Keyboard  108089000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:51 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext org.rehabman.voodoo.driver.PS2Mouse  108089000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:51 pm, com.apple.kextcache[374]: kext org.rehabman.voodoo.driver.PS2Trackpad  108089000 is in exception list, allowing to load
3/11/2013 1:56:50 pm, com.apple.kextcache[376]: / locked; waiting for lock.
3/11/2013 1:56:45 pm, com.apple.kextcache[373]: rebuilding /System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/kernelcache
3/11/2013 1:56:44 pm, com.apple.kextd[12]: Cache file /System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/IOKitPersonalities_x86_64.ioplist.gz is out of date; not using.
3/11/2013 1:56:43 pm, com.apple.kextd[12]: Cache file /System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Directories/System/Library/Extensions/KextIdentifiers.plist.gz is out of date; not using.
3/11/2013 1:56:43 pm, com.apple.kextd[12]: Rescanning kernel extensions.
3/11/2013 1:56:43 pm, com.apple.kextd[12]: Cache file /System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Directories/System/Library/Extensions/KextIdentifiers.plist.gz is out of date; not using.

In addition to whatever the PBI did, I also installed several programs - FireFox, Adobe Flash, JDK7, Thunderbird.

Now, I'll try shutting down and restarting a lot of times.

Thanks for the howto references.

 

[bcw1000]

Now, I'll try shutting down and restarting a lot of times.

... and the first attempted re-boot leads to another experience of the pointer and keyboard not responding.

Plugging a USB (optical) mouse into the right side USB 2 port powers the mouse and allows me to move the cursor. It also allowed me to enter password characters with the keyboard, and allowed me to confirm an interesting twist.

With the mouse unplugged, character changes (new ones added or existing ones backspaced away) do not register - until the mouse is re-plugged, upon which the changes register (or show). After a few tries this ceased having any noticeable effect, but before that it appeared it might be the change of state that triggered the effect, rather than being in the state of plugged or un-plugged.

2d boot acted as expected, so I'm typing on the Hackintosh now. I'll do some more trials, although I expect only the frequency of occurrence is in question now.

 

[RehabMan]

... and the first attempted re-boot leads to another experience of the pointer and keyboard not responding.

I assume you're talking about the built-in keyboard and trackpad, when you say "pointer and keyboard?"

Plugging a USB (optical) mouse into the right side USB 2 port powers the mouse and allows me to move the cursor. It also allowed me to enter password characters with the keyboard, and allowed me to confirm an interesting twist.

With the mouse unplugged, character changes (new ones added or existing ones backspaced away) do not register - until the mouse is re-plugged, upon which the changes register (or show). After a few tries this ceased having any noticeable effect, but before that it appeared it might be the change of state that triggered the effect, rather than being in the state of plugged or un-plugged.

2d boot acted as expected, so I'm typing on the Hackintosh now. I'll do some more trials, although I expect only the frequency of occurrence is in question now.

Do you have any devices plugged into the USB ports (USB WiFi?)? And have you installed any drivers for such devices? It is almost as if the USB system is causing the issues (interfering with the HID input system or something). You might try connecting an external keyboard just to see if it affecting that device as well. It would help isolate the issue.

What BIOS version do you have installed? And is it possible to install only 8GB of RAM? According to the service manual only 8GB is supported. That could be wrong or out of date, I suppose.

USB is somewhat quirky as is PS2. Sometimes USB2 devices already plugged in just don't work on startup until unplugged and reinserted (this is mostly from experience with my 4530s). And this last winter there was a couple of weeks of "remote debugging" to make the trackpad come back after a sleep/wake cycle (and at the time, I did not have a 4540s, so it was fairly time consuming and slow to accomplish).

I've barely had any time to use my 4540s, so hopefully I gain some experience soon. I need to sit down and swap the screen out, so I can stand to use the thing.

One thing you might do is boot with "-f" then post your ioreg: www.tonymacx86.com/audio/58368-guide-how-make-copy-ioreg.html. I can take a quick look at the state of your system...