Command, option, ctrl, fn keys not working

thanks to a visiting dog who got tangled up the power adapter my laptop ended up on the floor, wide open with the keyboard popped out. I have inspected the connector cable and it looks OK to the naked eye. I disconnected the keyboard cable and re-connected.
When using an external USB keyboard all keys function normally. When using the built-in keyboard the only keys not working are the command, option, ctrl and fn keys. I have restored modifier keys to default (I had never changed them) but this did not help. I also toggled the "use F1-F12 to control..." option in the keyboard preferences to no avail and have restored keyboard shortcuts to no avail.
Is my keyboard shot? Is the a pref file I might delete?

Hi, Mel. If the external keyboard works properly, I'm afraid you have to figure your built-in KB has been dogged to death. I hope the pet owner will do the right thing by you. I also hope the KB is all that was damaged. How are your adapter cord, plug, and DC-In port? Does your battery still charge OK?
Whenever anything visits my house that's active, inattentive, and built low to the ground, my Powerbook runs on battery power only. I haven't seen one yet, but the new magnetically-connected, easily- and harmlessly-detached MacBook Pro AC adapters sound like a superb idea to me. Too bad our PBs can't use 'em.

Similar Messages

Ctrl/Alt Keys not Working in Parallels

Hi,
I'm running Illustrator CS6 using Parallels Desktop 8 and Windows 7. It appears that the ctrl/alt keys do not work. Has anyone found a solution? I've tried resetting my preferences and restarting my computer. Any help would be greatly appreciaed.

Although this is an old thread, I also seem to be having the same sort of issues with Illustrator CS2 in Snow Leopard running under Parallels Desktop 9.
Re. the proposed solution, there does not seem to be a 'Virtual Machine -> Configure -> Options -> Advanced -> Optimize modifier keys for games' option in Desktop 9 - or I've not found it.
I will pursue this in the Parallels forums, but if anyone here has found a solution, I'd be interested to hear it.

Command Option Left/Right Key Doesn't Work

10.6.8 Snow Leopard,
Command+Option+Left/Right Key stop working.
I couldn't move tab, or play previous movie file nor next one.
http://codereview.chromium.org/273032
I've tested the other keys work, but just CMD+OPT+Left/Right Arrow hadn't.
Is there any quick repair or solution?

10.6.8 Snow Leopard,
Command+Option+Left/Right Key stop working.
If this is not in the standard apple keyboard shortcuts and not something you added to the Keyboard Shortcuts preferencs then it's an app specific extension and not Snow Leopard's (i.e., Apple's) problem.

Itunes does not open,everytime i try it says "The itunes application could not be opened. The required folder cannot be found" I have tried the shift key option but that does not work. help!!

I cannot open itunes. Everytime i try it says "The itunes application could not be opened.The folder cannot be found." I have tried the shift key option but this does not work. Please help.!!

Try the actions here for that driver.
iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
I would first do this:
Removing and reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows Vista or Windows 7

Apple Keyboard used on MacBook: Some keys not working

Hello,
I use an Apple Keyboard (USB-connection, aluminium, Model No.: A1243, 2007) for typing longer texts when my MacBook is connected to an external monitor.
Since I have re-installed the OS X software on my MacBook because I had to replace the hard drive, the Keyboard doesn't work successful. Some keys just don't work; The letters cannot be typed. (Affected keys: "8", "I", "K", "," and number pad keys "7", "4", "1")
I installed all software updates for keyboards that could be found on the apple support webpages.
The keyboard istelf doesn't show any defects for me.
What can I do to solve the provlem? Or to get to know if it's a software-based problem? I want to exclude all possible software reasons.. In a worst case I have to replace the keyboard, I think. But it always worked fine and a new one can be expensive.
Thank you for all hints!
Message was edited by: fritzmartini

have you tried command-option and the keys? or command and one of the keys? if so did it work??? if not, try going into the finder, and go to preferences file, but did not know which one would be the culprit. The strategy I adopted, which took me back to my System 9 (and earlier) days, was to go into the Library folder of the affected user account, open up the Preferences folder (after backing it up elsewhere on the hard drive), and take out a small number of files (.plist files, etc) at a time, log out then back in and note any changes. The theory is that if there were any changes then it is most likely that the offending file was in the last group to be removed. You would then replace those files one at a time until the problem returned. Eventually I found the culprit. To my surprise it was the com.apple.loginwindow.plist file. Removing that cured things completely.
Why that particular preference file affected that particular key is beyond me, but it fixed the problem!

MacBook keys NOT working.

New Macbook, bought in May of this year. Lately the keyboard has not been displaying the p, 0, ? and enter key. The MacBook is still under AppleCare, but I am curious if I can fix this at home instead of driving to NH. I live in Maine. The only issue I could think of is the fact that I work in the woods. My MacBook has been left in a case in an office for weeks to cold and hot weather. Would this remove key functionality? Thanks

Try resetting your SMC.
Resetting the System Management Controller >>
Also, reset your PRAM.
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound (bong) for four times.
6. Release the keys.
-Bmer
Mac Owners Support Group
Join Us @ MacOSG.com
iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
 An Apple User Group 

Zoom keys not working on ibook g4, stuck on full zoom...

I was trying the zoom feature on my ibook g4, 10.4.6, and turned on zoom. I zoomed in but now can't zoom out or turn off the feature, as I am fully zoomed in. A reboot did not fix this. Upon login, I see my regular desktop for a few seconds, but can't get system preferences open in time to turn off the zoom. A box opens up called character palette and then my desktop zooms fully in. The keyboard shortcut won't work... When I first turned the feature on, I noticed the zoom in shortcut worked fine, but the rest would not. I use quicksilver and can get to my terminal "blind". Is there a terminal command to turn off the zoom feature? My user account is completely useless until I can zoom out...I will try to create another user to see if I can recreate the problem, but in the meantime... I have tried a test account and can recreate the problem. option apple 8 does not work to turn on/off zoom and option apple - doesn't work as well. Only option apple + works. I can't get into system preferences graphically once fully zoomed in as I can't see anything.

Hello again!
I'm sorry you're still having the problem. If you have a look back at my previous suggestion, you'll see that I didn't say "do an archive and install"! That will only help if the OS is corrupt.
I don't entirely understand the symptoms you're getting, but I do suspect a corrupt preference file (.plist) which is why I suggested zapping them both and nothing else. Archive and instal preserves .plist files, ensuring that if the problem is indeed related to them, it will not be cured.
However, you've now eliminated the possibility that the OS is corrupt!
So, could I suggest the following steps, since you now have a functioning user account?
0) Check that the keys are indeed giving you the characters you expect (normally =, - and 8).
1) Open the System Preferences—>Universal Access pane and check the keystrokes designated for Zoom.
2) Try the keystroke specified for Zoom on/off (default is cmd-alt-8), and see if the On and Off radio buttons toggle as you do so.
3) Go to the System Preferences—>Keyboard & Mouse pane and ensure that the checkboxes for "Turn zoom on or off", "Zoom out" and "Zoom in" are all ticked.
4) Try a single keypress of cmd-alt-= and see if the screen zooms in by a step. If all you get is an alert sound, press cmd-alt-8 and try again.
5) Try a keypress of cmd-alt-- (minus) and see if it zooms out again. If it doesn't, use the Zoom on/off keystroke to turn it off again.
6) If the problem still persists, then either quit System Preferences and use Terminal, or do what I suggested in my previous post, but zap those two .plist files. You'll have to reset other values, but at least it should rescue your system.
Keep us posted!
Archie
iBook G4 12" 1.2 GHz, G4 Sawtooth 400 MHz, PowerBook G4 17" 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

BB keys not working/now not switching on

I'll try & explain it as clear as I can, a few things seem to be going wrong!
I have a PAYG Orange BB 8520 & last night the whole thing went a little mad.
I was typing a message & I noticed when I pressed the keys, the wrong letters were showing up.
I tried to switch it off, nothing - so then I pulled out the battery.
It waited for it ot reboot & the same thing happened. The keys weren't working correctly.
Tbh, I cba last night, so I did switch it off in the end.
& hoped for the best in the morning.
This morning, it did switch on. But this time I noticed the 'A' key wasn't working.
So I couldn't lock the phone nor type the letter A.
I pulled the battery again it & I left it about for a while, about 30mins.
& yet again, it didn't work.
Waited for it to start & again, this key wasn't working.
I switched off (not taking the battery out) & right now, the bloomin' thing won't switch on!
It only will if I take the battery out & then it starts back up.
What can I do to get it working the way it was?
Thanks.

If the computer worked OK with the G4 keyboard that points the finger at a faulty keyboard. If they machine is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare then contact Apple to arrange getting a new keyboard.
As I mentioned doing a reset on a MacBook is totally different. Here are instructions for doing so on an Apple Notebook:
MacBook Pro
SMC & PRAM Resets
SMC RESET
Shut down the computer.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
Press the power button to turn on the computer.
PRAM RESET
Shut down the computer.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

Ctrl+Z does not work in Forms 11g on Windows (undo function)

In Oracle Forms 11g on Windows, the undo function, ctrl+Z does not work as it did in Forms 6i.
The ctrl+C and ctrl+V (copy/paste) work fine.
I looked into the Forms key mapping resource file and no solution there.
Thanks

I'm not sure what functionality you believe you had previously, but UNDO does not have any automatic functionality built-in. This is clearly explained in the Builder Online Help. Here is some of that text. Notice carefully what it says about "Undo":
<blockquote>Magic Item Property
<blockquote>Description_
Specifies one of the the following predefined menu items for custom menus: Cut, Copy, Paste, Clear, Undo, About, Help, Quit, or Window. Magic menu items are automatically displayed in the native style for the platform on which the form is being executed, with the appropriate accelerator key assigned. Cut, Copy, Paste, Clear, Window, and Quit have Built-in functionality supplied by Oracle Forms, while the other magic menu items can have commands associated with them.
Usage Notes_
The following settings are valid for this property:
Cut, Copy, Paste, Clear
These items perform the usual text-manipulation operations. Oracle Forms supplies their functionality, so the designer may not enter a command for these items.
Undo, About
These items have no native functionality_, so the designer must enter a command for these items. Any type of command can be used for these items, except Menu.
...</blockquote>
</blockquote>

Keyboard: some keys not working

Some keys not working. Need help/suggestions. Not great with computers so PLEASE give details/steps re: how to do what you suggest - thanks!
Details: intel based iMac running snow leopard 10.6.8. Apple wireless/bluetooth keyboard (came with the iMac).
Some keys suddenly stopped working: space, tab, capLock, option key to the right of space bar (one on the left works), down arrow
The problem happens in various programs (safari, pages, etc)
The keyboard is fine on another iMac
A different keyboard is fine on this/the involved iMac
(nutshell: keyboard works fine - computer works fine, unless they're together)
Here's what's been tried/checked:
-checked the settings for universal access ("mouse keys" are off) and checked for any bluetooth keyboard shortcuts.
-in system preferences "speech" is not set for "speak selected text when the key is pressed" - this is not checked/selected
-tried creating a new user but had the same issue so it's computer-wide rather than just a user account
-removed the keyboard and reconnected (using the +/- signs and "disconnect" and putting in a new code of numbers to pair keyboard)
-language/text is set for english
-did the keyboard viewer and the keys in question did NOT highlight when pressed (but don't forget the entire keyboard is fine on a different computer so thekeys aren't the issue)
-"slow keys" is turned off re: keyboard in system preferences.
Any help is welcomed. It's frustrating knowing the keyboard works, just not with this computer. Please help. Many thanks!

yes - not sure how this works...if you can see my original post there are a lot of details in there. If you can't...
nutshell: the keyboard works on a different iMac
             a different keyboard works on this/the involved iMac
             I tried to create a different user and the keyboard still does not work so it is computer-wide
             I also removed the keyboard from the computer (using the +/- symbols and disconnecting and then repairing it. The problem remained
Thanks for any help. It's crazy that the keyboard is fine and the computer is fine but together, there's the problem.
Thank you!!!

E545 and Function key not working

Any help here is apprecited. My function (Fn) key is refusing to work at all. None of the special features are able to be used. I've checked all my drivers, and followed the instructions in the User Guide, but some of the options described in the guide are even showing on my computer.
I'd love for some help on this issue, as the computer is pretty worthless right now.

Hi Jamesbjenkins,
Welcome to Lenovo Community!
As per the query we understood that you are facing issue with keyboard function keys not working on your ThinkPad E545.
Is the system updated with all the latest drivers and application? To confirm with I request you to run ThinkVantage system update tool. This will search for all the required drivers and application for your system and will update.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Hemanth Kumar
Did someone help you today? Press the star on the left to thank them with a Kudo!
If you find a post helpful and it answers your question, please mark it as an "Accepted Solution"! This will help the rest of the Community with similar issues identify the verified solution and benefit from it.
Follow @LenovoForums on Twitter!

I cannot past with the lastest version. CTRL V does not work either

I cannot past with the the most recent version released today. CTRL V does not work either
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== When my system updated the newest version today

Issues with the right-click context menu not working can be caused by the [http://toolbar.yahoo.com/ Yahoo Toolbar] (Tools > Add-ons > Extensions)
See:
[[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]]
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/forum/1/380010
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/forum/1/552540?
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/forum/1/472971
Also see:
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Clipboard+not+working
http://kb.mozillazine.org/JavaScript#Advanced_JavaScript_settings
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Prevent_websites_from_disabling_new_window_features
'''''Other Issues''''': ~~red:You have installed plug-ins with known security issues. You should update them immediately.~~
'''Update Java''': your ver. ~~red:1.5.0_02 (very old)~~; current ver. 1.6.0.20 (important security update 04-15-2010)
(Firefox 3.6 and above requires Java 1.6.0.10 or higher; see: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Java-related+issues#Java_does_not_work_in_Firefox_3_6 )
''(Windows users: Do the manual update; very easy.)''
~~red:Check your version here~~: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
See: '''[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Java+plugin+with+Firefox#Updates Updating Java]'''
Do the update with Firefox closed.
'''NOTE:''' Java version 1.6.0.21 has been released. It is mainly an update for developers of Java applications and most users do not need to be concerned about downloading version 1.6.0.21. '''''At this time''''', the update option in existing installations of Java 1.6.0.20 are not updating to version 1.6.0.21; '''''at this time''''', it must be manually downloaded and installed. According to the Java release notes:
''"'''Bug Fixes'''''
''Java SE 6 Update 21 does not contain any additional fixes for security vulnerabilities to its previous release, Java SE 6 Update 20. Users who have Java SE 6 Update 20 have the latest security fixes and do not need to upgrade to this release to be current on security fixes."'' Source: http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/6u21.html
'''You '''~~red:'''MAY'''~~''' need to Update Adobe Reader for Firefox (aka Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox)''': your ver. N/A; current ver. 9.3.3 (important security update release 06-29-2010; see: http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-15.html)
~~red:Check your version here~~: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
See: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox#Installing_and_updating_Adobe_Reader
''You may be able to update from the Adobe Reader installed on your system'' instead of going to the Adobe site and downloading. Open the Adobe Reader installed on your system (''in Windows, Start > Program Files, find and click Adobe Reader to open''), click Help, click Check for Updates. Allow the download/update to occur. If you use this method, no need to proceed with the instructions below, '''but''' do look at the two bulleted items at the bottom "'''NOTE for IE:'''" and "Also see:". Restart Firefox and check your new version here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
''If you go to the Adobe site to download the current Adobe Reader:''
-'''use Firefox to download''' and '''SAVE to your hard drive''' (save to Desktop for easy access)
~~red:-See the images at the bottom left of this post to see the steps to take on the Adobe site~~
-exit Firefox (File > Exit)
-In Windows: check to see that Firefox is completely closed (''Ctrl+Alt+Del, choose Task Manager, click Processes tab, if "firefox.exe" is on the list, right-click "firefox.exe" and choose End process, close the Task Manager window'')
-In Windows: double-click on the Adobe Reader installer you just downloaded to install/update Adobe Reader
*'''NOTE: On Vista and Windows 7''' you may need to run the plugin installer as Administrator by starting the installer via the right-click context menu if you do not get an UAC prompt to ask for permission to continue (i.e nothing seems to happen). See this: http://vistasupport.mvps.org/run_as_administrator.htm
*'''NOTE for IE:''' Firefox and most other browsers use a Plugin. IE uses an ActiveX version. To install/update the IE ActiveX version, same instructions as above, except use IE to download the ActiveX installer. See: [[ActiveX]]
*Also see: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Adobe_Reader ~~red:'''''AND'''''~~ [[How do I edit options to add Adobe to the list of allowed sites]]

2.1 History Shorcut Keys not working

Hi,
When I try to retrieve statements stored SQL-history using shortcut keys nothing happens.
I tried Ctrl-Shift-Down, Ctrl-Shift-Up, Ctrl-Down and Ctrl-Up but in SQL-worksheet but nothing happens.
I even defined new shortcuts also to no avail.
Does anybody else face this problem?
Regards
Ernst

Logged
Bug 9238928 - otn: sql history shorcut keys not working
-Raghu

Return & shift keys not working

My keyboard is unresponsive. problms started w/ "L" and "9" and "Enter/Return" keys. Did a s/w update and reboot but still no success. Now only "Shift" and "Enter/Return" keys are unresponsive.

I tried the troubleshooting steps listed in the article linked above but ran into the following problems:
a) the View menu doesn't have a "Speech" item listed (I'm running 10.9.2)
b) My MacBook Air doesn't have a disk drive; impossible to start up from an Install disk as recommended in step 10.
None of the other steps helped (sticky keys off, slow keys off, mouse keys off, etc)
Looking at the forums, looks like several other people have the issue of just the right-side shift and return keys not working, like me. Could we please have some advice that is specific to that particular issue?
In the meantime I'm using only the left-side shift and have downloaded and installed KeyRemap4MacBook and remapped my backslash key so it issues the "return" command. A clunky work around but it seems to do the trick, at least.

Command shortcut for Home/End not working

command (shortcuts) "Home" and "End" will not work for page I am on.

caret caret (F7) problems, Most keyboards have overlaid keys, make sure NumLk is off as that can also interfere. "PgUp", "PgDn", "SpaceBar", "Home" and "End" keys" not working -- caret cursor F7
*https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/845663
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Scrolling_with_arrow_keys_no_longer_works

Command, option, ctrl, fn keys not working

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for