I've been using an Apple TrackPad accessory with my Mac for a couple of years now. Works great. Never a problem — until now.

Abruptly without a dialogue it died. I assumed battery failure. Even with brand new Duracell batteries the Mac refuses to recognize any device being present. I've played with the switch at one end of the pad. Each time a green light comes on (thus indicating there's some power available) and after about 10 seconds turns off again.

This is a Mac Mini running 10.7.4. I've had the TouchPad for about two years. Can't recall what was involved in setting it up. Probably minimal if anything. About a year ago I acquired a BlueTooth keyboard. Same thing. Just plug it in and it worked. The two have co-existed happily ever since — until earlier today.

Brought out the USB Apple keyboard to see if simplifying the setup would help. No change.

Took the TrackPad over to a neighbour's Mac who has no TrackPad and tried to see if it would configure. Was presented with an array of set up dialogues than I've ever seen before, including presenting a Pass Code with instructions to enter it but providing nothing to enter it into. Abandoned that trial, so nothing proven.

My speculations thus far. It may be something has gone wrong in the Network Preferences pane which needs to be reset. Or it may be a hardware failure in the TrackPad itself.

One more thing. I have WiFi turned on in order to receive the Internet via an Airport Extreme. That's been running fine for about a month. The Extreme is here in preparation for an iPad purchase before Christmas. No other computer devices here, so this setup remains fairly basic.

What should I check out? With appreciation.

At the top right of your screen you will see the Bluetooth icon. Click on it and choos to pair your trackpad which should be listed. Make certain that you turn the trackpad off and on before you do this. I use a wireless magic mouse and every once in awhile I need to repair the mouse to the computer.

At the top right of your screen you will see the Bluetooth icon. Click on it and choose to pair your trackpad which should be listed. Make certain that you turn the trackpad off and on before you do this. I use a wireless magic mouse and every once in awhile I need to repair the mouse to the computer.

Worked like a charm. And so obvious and in your face (but invisible because I never had occasion to use that menu). Much appreciation. I'd forgotten how clunky the use of a mouse had become. Now forward and onward with an upgrade to Mountain Lion.