Alt/option key stuck

Does anybody know what could cause the ALT/Option key to be stuck, when the key itself doesnt make contact?
I have tried cleaning/resetting and the problem doesnt go away. I'm left typing in symbols.
When using keyboard viewer it will show the Option-key is in use. But its not and not making any contact.
Even when setting up no action for the Option-key its still pressed?

I was hoping some of you guys could help me out with this.
The other day I left my Macbook pro for a few hours and when I came back and opened it again, the keyboard could only type in a wierd symbol language (Looked almost like ancient greek ) - The only way to write English letters was to keep the CAPS LOCK key turned on.
I opened the keyboard viewer - and this was what it showed:
(No screenshot available sry)
Furthermore, when I open my computer at startup - I have to press a HD symbol to access the mac.
I may have pushed some shortcut button by accident, but I really can't recall.
Do you folks have any clue as to what might be the problem?
Thanks alot!

Similar Messages

  • Alt/Option Key gets registered with any key I type. How can I fix

    Hello,
    Today I encountered an issue. Suddenly my macbook air is typing everything as if the alt/option key was stuck. When I display keyboard viewer I realize that it is not being registered as being pressed. However, as soon as I press any key all the characters switch into their respective symbols as if the alt/option key was active. I notice that if nothing is being pressed, the keyboard viewer displays all characters as regular, but as soon as any key gets pressed, they all switch to symbols and if held down, the image of symbols persist in replacement to the characters. I've tried disabling the alt/option key- no result. I tried restarting the computer-no result. I tried removing both alt/option keys manually and cleaning them- no result. Is this a hardware issue or some bug/malware causing my character registration to be messed with?
    Thank you very much for any help

    Try another keyboard.  It it works ok, this indicates your internal one is most likely damaged and needs repair/replacement.  Any software problem will affect all keyboards.

  • Mac thinks alt/option key is always held down

    This problem has happened twice on this iMac in the last two weeks. The first time it didn't disappear until I reinstalled Yosemite fresh. Now it has randomly done it again. Here is the full deal.
    iMac 27" late 2009, 12 gb of RAM, Wacom Intuos 3 tablet, external OWC Mercury Elite Pro FW800 2 TB drive, Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10.2, Apple Wireless Keyboard (came with iMac), Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500. The Mac goes along fine, then suddenly all type input from the keyboard is scrambled looking. However, the reason becomes clear when the Keyboard Viewer is opened: the Mac thinks the alt/option key is pressed. If the keyboard is powered off, taken away from the Mac, and linked up to an iPad Air 2, it works perfectly, so it isn't the keyboard.
    I am at my wits end. After years without a Mac (but with an iPhone and an iPad), I expected not to run into this kind of PC-style inexplicable nuttiness. Maybe someone here can explain this phenomena and tell me whatbI am doing wrong.

    Hi Glenn,
    It may help to reset your Mac's SMC and PRAM.
    Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
    Reset your computer’s PRAM
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
    Regards,
    Allen

  • Boot alt/option key

    First thanks for read my question, so my problem is that I buy a Western Digital (My Book) USB external hard drive so I did a backup with Carbon Copy Cloner and SuperDuper both apps do a great backup job and with both I can boot from my USB external hardrive via System Preference Startup Disk, but when try to boot via restart and hold down alt/option key neither can boot Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDupe not even my internal hard drive shows I releas the alt/option key and the computer boot from my internal drive so I disconect de external hardrive and restart my MacBook Pro (to see if the key is not working properly) but it works the computer show my internal drive almost instanyly so I choose it and the computer boots normaly then I try it again with the external hard drive conected and hold alt/option key for about 1 minute but neither hard drive shows but when I releas the alt/option key the computer boot from my internal drive properly.
    so what I'm doing wrong?
    Thanks

    thank you both so I reset my Reset Parameters Ram then restar the computer and said I will hold alt/option key until something happend and guess what something and after like 2 minutes an half something happend the two hardrives show so I guess the slownwes of the system to recognize the external harddrive is because the hardrice is cheap and very slow but again
    thanks

  • Change Right Alt/Option Key Shortcut

    Hi, I can't figure out how to turn off the shortcut when I press the Right Alt key by itself. Right now when I press the key it puts the window I'm using to the background. The problem is I can't use any of the multi-key shortcuts with the Right Alt key because of this stupid preset option.
    Does anyone know how to change this? I can't find this setting anywhere in the keyboard shortcuts or anywhere else in system preferences.
    Thanks a lot!

    It sounds like you may have accidently set one of the key functions for Expose to that option key. Check in your system preferences, expose and spaces options to make sure.
    Luck
    E

  • Alt Option Key PS CC Using Mouse or Tablet drags app window instead of sampling when using Clone too

    When I open PS CC on my Mac Mini (Mavericks Latest version) or my MBPr (same OS.v)
    Here are the steps.
    MacMini and Mac:
    Open Photoshop
    Open any image
    Switch to Pen tool, stamp tool, or any tool that uses Option key as modifer
    Draw a couple points, sample, whatever
    Now, try to modify an anchor point using the convert anchor tool, or sample using the stamp tool. Just hold the option key down and drag.
    WOAH! My entire application is moving around and the modifier isn't working, instead it's modifying the XY of the application window.
    Check this out... When I do this on my girlfriends side of my MBPr, it's fine. Infact I do retouching on her sidebecuase of this. I just noticed it was doing this at work. I don't use PS a lot at work, mostly Illutsrator.
    Anyways...
    Any one else having this problem?
    Devices this is replicated with..
    M$ Mouse on MacMini
    WacomTablet Intuous4 on MBPr
    Just tried using the MBPr track pad, and it's fine.
    I'm starting to think it's the wacom drivers or something.

    I'm not seeing anything there.

  • Alt key stuck when using mouse in flash CS5.5 on os x lion. sucks. please help.

    Hi there,
    since I've updated to lion flash cs5.5 is utterly unusable. The alt key is always stuck in this app when I use the mouse. So if I select something then try to move it, it copies it (as if I was holding down alt key). It basically means I can't use flash for anything..
    Has anyone else had this issue and resolved it?
    I saw similar forum posts for photoshop cs5 and snow leopard, and even tried the utility provided on those forums. Didn't work.
    I removed my wacom tablet driver,
    I reinstalled flash,
    I shut down EVERYTHING except flash.  Nothing works - alt key is always active in flash.
    Is this some kind of bad joke from Adobe? Is there really no fix for this? I can't believe it - honestly...
    Additional note - in the key remapping page - it reckognizes the alt key normally, and all other key combinations - it is only when using the mouse that the alt key is stuck.
    El mensaje fue editado por: georgecookontheroad

    Hello,
    I was having the same exact problems with Flash Professional after upgrading my OS X to Lion.  (Alt/Option key seems like it's stuck / Duplicating objects on stage just by clicking and moving the object.)  My main problem was not being able to curve a straight line with the Arrow tool.  Instead it would create a corner point as if the Alt/Option key was being held.
    I stumbled upon this thread before finding my solution so I thought I'd share what worked for me.
    Here is the thread I found with the solution that worked:
    http://forums.adobe.com/message/5222999
    Basically I had a program called AirDisplay installed.  AirDisplay allows me to use my iPad as a second monitor for my Mac.  So if you have this program installed, or one similar to AirDisplay, uninstalling this program may get your Flash Professional to work correctly again.  It certainly did for me to my amazement.
    Hope this works for you or anyone else who is experiencing this weird and frustrating problem!

  • Macbook pro (retina) and photoshop - alt/option draggin art board not zooming or anchor mod tool

    So I posted this in the apple forums... No response and it's been a couple days...
    Anyon have any idea how to fix this?
    I'm using the latest OSX, with the latest CC versions. I'm using a late model Macbook pro.
    When I'm in photoshop and i use the alt/option key while using the pen tool, and I start to select and modify an anchorpoint, the artboard or file window starts to move.
    Same for when I use the zoom tool.
    Both tools switch to the appropriate modifier, pen to Anchor modifier, and zoom to zoom out  ( - ).
    When I click or drag, they don't work. I think it's something to do with the ley bindings, but when I use my mac mini, i.e a desktop with full keyboard, I don't have this problem. It's seriously killing my productivity having to switch back and forth between the Pen tool and anchor modification tool. And lord knows the weird ways I have to deal with the zooming.
    I'm using the track pad, a mouse, and a wacom. This issue is exhibited across all input devices.

    Here is information on my upgrade from my previous work machine… which is a pc to the mac… as I also had/have a late 2008 macbook, which was actually good bait lol, was impressed by how it ran for an 2008 model of a computer..
    1)Lenovo Think Pad/idea pad (21/10/2011 - release date)
    £800
    Intel i3 CPU 2 cores/4 threads. 2.3 GHz
    Intel Intel® HD Graphics 3000 +
    Nvidia GeForce GT 520M
    RAM 8GB
    Storage 500 GB (normal hard drive)
    Heavy to carry with bad back from home and to the studio and back.
    New Machine:
    2)Apple Macbook Pro
    £1099
    (xx/10/2013 -release date)
    Intel i5 CPU 2 cores/4 threads. 2.6 GHz
    Intel® Iris™ Graphics 5100
    RAM 8GB
    Storage 512GB flash storage (SSD)
    lighter than late 2008 Macbook and easier to carry...
    The two old machines are still running and looked after them well, and giving them away as gifts… to those who don't have computers. I always worked with them on a desk surface, so they would not overheat when rendering still 3D artworks and animations, so it should last on average life span then...

  • Macbook pro and photoshop - alt/option

    Recently purchased a Macbook Pro 15in. When using photoshop or illustrator, with the track pad or tablet, while using the pen tool, I get the 'V' convert anchor tool, but when I start to drag an anchorpoint, it moves the artboard around instead of the anchor point. I also get the same thing when I try to use the Zoom tool. I use the alt/option key to zoom out, then the same thing happens.
    Any one else have this issue? Just checked on my Macmini, with keybaord, and there is no problem.

    I' gonna go ahead and bump this. I can't seem to zoom or use the pen tool without switching tools manually. It's killing me.

  • Code 6584 - alt/option does not work because of "network" problem

    I cannot enter time machine - get a code 6584. When i verify the backup with  the suggested alt/option key, I get a message that the Time machine verification was interrupted because of a network problem. After checking Airport utility I do not have a network probel, which brings me back to square one. Can anybody help?

    Hello,
    Hold the Alt/Option key while selecting the TM icon in your menubar.
    Have you looked through Pondini's extensive TM help site?
    http://Pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
    Can't imaging something not being covered there.

  • No windows icon on alt/option start

    I have a new imac 24' 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Leopard
    Loaded Windows XP2 in boot camp, no problem
    Set default startup disk to Mac OS
    First couple of attempts holding alt/option at startup loaded two icons to pick between windows or mac
    Now holding alt/option at startup goes directly to the Apple side 4 out of 5 times without showing two icons. After repeated attempts on shutdown, startup with power button holding alt/option key, the two icons will eventually present. This is going to be very annoying if I have to live with this...
    In addition, switching between the two operating systems seems to require the os (on both platforms) to discover the wireless mouse and wireless keyboard each time.
    Thanks for any help,
    ---Susan

    I've not had this problem myself, so I can't be sure about a solution, but you could try changing the boot OS from Bootcamp Manager just before shutting down/restarting to switch OS's, so when you're in OSX and you want to go to Windows, just before restarting, change the default OS to Windows... Not a proper solution but that's all I can think that might help - temp solution.

  • Boot camp stuck during installation option key not working

    Hi, its my first time posting in the forum. I was trying to install windows 7 on my 2011 imac, everything went flawlessly until the first windows setup restart. First of all there is a blac screen showing every time a restart to install the windowa goes on. I thought it might have been a bad installation and tried to boot into mac os but the option key is not showing anything and it imediately starts booting from the windows cd. Now I am stuck not able to boot into any of the OSs. Is there a way to boot to Mac OS without using the option key? Or what should I do?

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    You have to press the Option (Alt) key after hearing the startup chime. If you do it before, the iMac won't detect the Bluetooth keyboard and it will start directly to your DVD. Try this

  • TS2570 My Mac stays stuck on the grey screen. Doesn't boot up. I've tried everything the shift key to safe boot still doesn't boot. I've tried the option key n only has one option to go into. please help. problem Is I bought off a friend so I have no disk

    My Mac stays stuck on grey screen. I've tried the option key. The shift keys. Nothing helps. The problem is I bought the computer off a friend and I don't have any disks. Any suggests would be great..

    Can you see a serial number anywhere? Don't post it here, just let me know if if you have it.

  • Startup with option key doesnt work; now I'm stuck a startup cd

    Background: I wanted to defrag my hard drive. I tried to start up from a Norton SystemsWorks cd (using the option key). That didn't work, so I (stupidly!!!!) used the control panel to change the startup disk to the Norton CD.
    Result:
    1) I'm stuck. I cannot reboot from the hard drive or an external drive. The Norton CD has become a permanent default for startup. Under Norton, there is no access to the startup control panel. I cannot override it. Starting up using the option key doesn't work, nor do any other startup keystrokes I've tried. The CD overrides everything.
    I cannot eject the CD. Tried holding down the mouse key and everything else I could think of, but those tricks don't seem to work when the disk is in use--which it always is because it's the startup disk.
    Most annoying: The flat screen G4 has no manual mechanism for ejecting the CD!!! (ie, no little hole to inert a paper clip).
    Any suggestions before I reach for a hammer?

    Have you looked at this?
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1750.html
    Once you get this disk ejected, don't ever ever use any Norton maintenance utility on a Mac! It's an almost universally held opinion of users here.
    Regards,
    Steve M.

  • Alt key stucks (not physically) in my lenovo s10-3t

    Alt key stucks in my lenovo s10-3t and i have to press it 2 or 3 times to release it .... i encourted this problem in tablet mode so i think that this is not a physical keyboard problem ...

    due to i don't have s10-3t, i suggest you to check the manuals first. it should have some informations about cleaning the keyboard.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Can I have two contact books on my mac

    Hi All, Is it possible to have two, or more, address books on my Mac, that is two "Contacts" books? If so, I 'd appreciate a "how to". Thanks! P

  • Accounting Documents

    Hi Guru's, After Billing, two Accounting documents will be generated. Where do we configure for these documents to be generated and how? Som times only one Accounting document is getting generated And the other document is not getting generated. Why?

  • How to delete a photo

    I have iPhoto and it remains to be the most difficult thing for me to learn. I have never quite figured it out, and no matter what I do, I cannot get rid of a single photo to save my life. Sure, I can delete hundreds of photos but they ALWAYS return

  • Program-wide color change across Illustrator CS6.

    I'm in OS X 10.8.3 working in Illustrator CS6. I have a MacBook Pro hooked up to a calibrated NEC PA271W monitor. I've been working on some CMYK design documents with a mix of process and Pantone. All art was created in Illustrator and is vector. Eve

  • Migrating SP 2007 site which is using the template Project Workspace (Id 6215) to SP 2013

    Hi, We have our SharePoint 2007 with project server installed on it. It is only one server having all of the components including SQL server and SP 2007. We are planning to migrate one of the site which is using the Project Workspace Template(Id 6215