Mac OS X 10.3.8 Special Report: Trackpad problems

A number of users reported erratic PowerBook trackpad behavior after installing Mac OS X 10.3.8. Some report that the "Ignore Accidental Trackpad Input" option no longer seems to works, while others report "hopping," "pausing" and other phenomena.

One potential workaround: Resetting PRAM. For some users this has restored normal operation in both this case, and the aforementioned non-functional F12 key problem. Resetting PRAM is accomplished by holding down the Option, Command, P and R keys at system startup until the computer restarts again and you hear the startup sound for the second time.

Reverting to Mac OS X 10.3.7 A number of readers have asked how they can revert from Mac OS X 10.3.8 to Mac OS X 10.3.7, generally in the case of major system malfunctions associated -- directly or indirectly -- with the update.

Instructions for doing so can be found in our tutorial "Reverting to an earlier version of Mac OS X."

Topic Index:

• Release Notes, Download Links
• Disappearing hard drive space
• Wake from Sleep Issues
• Audio problems
• Safari World Leaks
• Excessive sensitivity in automatic screen brightness feature on PowerBooks
• Routers and slow network performance
• Printer problems, solutions
• Displays pane of System Preferences not working
• Clearing font caches for faster startup
• iBook G4 F12 key not working
• Trackpad problems
• Problems with third-party mice
• Slow iChat operation
• Problems with Java
• Increased G5 fan activity
• FireWire warning only provided for Combo update
• Moving Apple's installed applications prevents them from being updated
• Problems installing via Software Update
• Bluetooth Issues
• Positive reports

Resources