Keyboard modifier keys

I have a new MacbookPro that I sometimes use with a bluetooth keyboard (Logitech DiNovo Edge). Because the bluetooth keyboard is set for Windows, I used the keyboard Preference Pane to switch the modifier keys for option and command (or Apple) keys. (That is, on the bluetooth keyboard I made the Option key work as the Command key and vice versa.)
My problem is that now I cannot switch the preference setting back. When I use the MBP without the bluetooth keyboard, I want the keys to work as designed. So I go to the Preference Pane and manually change the modifier keys settings, or click "Restore Default" but it continues to still be stuck at the setting that I had set for the bluetooth keyboard.
I have tried restarting the computer after restoring default. I have also removed the keyboard preferences (plist file) from the ~/Library folder. None of this makes a difference. I cannot restore the default key behavior.
Since I use the Command key a lot (to cut, paste, copy etc.) this is seriously affecting my work productivity. I will appreciate any help.

VK, That terminal command did not work for me.
However, I found the solution on another post and it worked. The solution is here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8560965&#8560965

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Getting the keyboard modifiers key state before injecting event.

I'm using the Robot to inject keyboard events into a host computer from multiple clients.
Since each client can have different modifiers keys (i.e. Shift, Alt, Ctrl, ...) set at a time and
clients can interrupt each other, I need to be able to read from the host computer what
modifier keys are set at that moment to get things back into synch.
The KeyEvent class has a way to get the modifier keys through:
KeyEvent.isShiftDown();
KeyEvent.isControlDown():
But this doesn't help (apparently) because that information is only available to a
Keyboard listener when a key is pressed.
What I need is a way to "get" the current keyboard modifier keys state before injecting
an event through the Robot.
Would anyone know how to do this?

So... the clients send input events to the host and the host in turn simulates those events with the use of a Robot. Is that correct?
If so then the program needs to save the last injected keyboard input that had a modifier mask in a field somewhere. Whenever you need to ask if any modifier keys are being pressed, you need only to look at this field and see if it is a pressed event. However, this method won't be able to detect a person physically at the host computer typing stuff.
The central problem is that you can query keyboard input from OS (such as asking if shift is currently pressed) without a focused window using the standard api. But a focused window kind of defeats the purpose of what you are trying to do.

Changing keyboard modifier keys

I use an editor (EMACS) which makes major use of the 'ctrl' key so I swap it with the 'caps lock' key so my little finger can hit it without getting a cramp. It works just fine about 90% of the time but the other 10%, when I hit the 'caps lock' key instead of getting the 'ctrl' function I get the 'caps lock' function and my editing screws up terribly. It is really frustrating because if I don't notice, and if I hit what I think is <ctrl>k to kill a line I get a 'K' in the text instead.
PowerBook G4

I solved this problem by finding and altering an applescript that will change the keyboard modifier keys. I wish I could still find the web page so I could post it, but here's the applescript I used to change to PC layout:
tell application "System Preferences"
activate
set current pane to pane "com.apple.preference.keyboard"
end tell
tell application "System Events"
tell process "System Preferences"
click radio button "Keyboard" of tab group 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
click button "Modifier Keys…" of tab group 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
click pop up button 3 of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
click menu item 4 of menu 1 of pop up button 3 of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
delay 1
click pop up button 4 of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
click menu item 3 of menu 1 of pop up button 4 of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
click button "OK" of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
end tell
end tell
tell application "System Preferences"
quit
end tell
(end of script)
And here's the script I used to change it back to Mac layout:
tell application "System Preferences"
activate
set current pane to pane "com.apple.preference.keyboard"
end tell
tell application "System Events"
tell process "System Preferences"
click radio button "Keyboard" of tab group 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
click button "Modifier Keys…" of tab group 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
click button "Restore Defaults" of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
click button "OK" of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
end tell
end tell
tell application "System Preferences"
quit
end tell
(end of script)
I saved the scripts as executibles with neat Apple and XP custom icons and put them in the Dock. Pretty slick.

Keyboard Modifier Keys trouble

Hi!
I have gotten a new problem, I never had before.
While having an external USB-keyboard plugged in, I swapped the Option and Command keys here:
System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard -> Modifier Keys
(I find this useful when I use external PC keyboards via KVM switches and such, as they have the Windows key and Alt key opposite, at least on Norwegian keyboards.)
And usually that only applies to the external keyboard. But now, on my new macbook, it now applies to the built in keyboard. And I am not able to turn it off. Or: When I turn it off or choose Restore Defaults, nothing happens. Even though Command is listed as the Command key, Option still works as the Command key, and Option as the Command key.
So, does anyone know if there's a file I might delete or modify or something?
flips 8)

It seems the settings are stored in ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/.GlobalPreferences.<UUID>.plist
First I deleted both com.apple.keyboard.modifiermapping trees/entries.
Then I re-entered the correct setting for only the external keyboard. (My guess is that I just overlooked the option of changing mapping for just one of the keyboards or "All".) Still I would consider it a bug not being able to reverse the setting without manually deleting it from the correct plist file ...
flips 8)

Keyboard modifier key remap suddenly not working

I am using a MacBook Pro running OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard). I use a third-party USB keyboard that is laid out (naturally) Windows-style, with the Alt keys inside (closer to the space bar than) the “Windows logo” keys. I use the Modifier Keys button in the Keyboard preference panel to remap these to the standard Mac configuration, with the Command keys on the inside and the Option keys on the outside.
Today those modifier keys are suddenly reversed back to the default Windows layout. The Keyboard panel still shows my preferred (remapped) configuration, but it is not being honored. I have tried reverting to the default layout and then back again, I have rebooted the system, nothing works—the modifier keys are still stuck in the Windows configuration. I rely heavily on keyboard macros in my work, most of which use the modifier keys, and those keystrokes are built into my fingers as second nature. The reversed modifier keys are driving me crazy. Please help: what can I do to make the keyboard honor my settings in the Keyboard preference panel?

Same problem here. Been working fine for a couple years and now suddenly the modifier key mapping is being ignored.

Swapping modifier keys by keyboard doesn't work.

At some point, Apple added the ability for the user to configure the modifier keys differently on different keyboards. So you can, for example, swap the Alt and Windows keys on a windows keyboard, but leave them alone for your Mac keyboards. This is great, as I have been frustrated by this for a long time. My only problem is, it has never worked for me!
More specifically:
1. Open Keyboard & Mouse Preferences
2. Choose the Keyboard tab
3. Click the Modifier Keys... button
4. For Select keyboard, choose the keyboard you are currently using.
5. Change some of the key options below. In my case, I changed Option to Command, and Command to Option.
6. Click OK.
7. Try it
Making this change has no effect for me. I've even verified that the changes actually "stick". The only time I'm actually able to change these keys, is if I choose All for Select Keyboard.
Has anyone else seen this? Or can anyone suggest how to fix it?

Yesterday I plugged one Microsoft USB keyboard for the first time ever to my MB Pro at the office and operated my laptop lid down. I swapped the Control and Command keys as it felt more natural to press Ctrl on a PC keyboard than Windows or Alt keys. I unplugged the keyboard (still lid down) and went home.
Today I have been facing this same problem. No matter what I do (reboot, adjust the keyboard modifier keys settings etc.) the Cmd stays in the Ctrl key and vice versa on my laptop keyboard.
Very annoying, I have not invented a cure. Can anybody point me to the preference file that should have this setting recorded? I'd like to try to delete it.
What I am going to do next is to go back to the office, plug the keyboard on again and try adjusting these keys back to original. My theory is that the MS keyboard driver has messed something on a "deeper level" or done it in some non-standard way, but I have no access to that setting until there is a MS keyboard plugged in that activates the driver and meddles with the settings in that way again. I will report my findings.
Any suggestions at this stage?

Modifier keys not working after 10.6.7 update

After the most recent 10.6.7 update, my modifier keys no longer work. I switched my Command and Option keys over a year ago, but now even when I'm in System Preferences>Keyboard>Modifier Keys and I switch them back and forth from Restore Defaults to the way I had them, nothing changes. I deleted /username/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.HIToolbox.UUID.plist and logged off and back on, but that didn't work. Any suggestions?

After the most recent 10.6.7 update, my modifier keys no longer work. I switched my Command and Option keys over a year ago, but now even when I'm in System Preferences>Keyboard>Modifier Keys and I switch them back and forth from Restore Defaults to the way I had them, nothing changes. I deleted /username/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.HIToolbox.UUID.plist and logged off and back on, but that didn't work. Any suggestions?

Lion update - modifier keys ignored

I have a Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro - though there's no command key, in 10.6 I had remapped the caps lock key to the command key. In Lion, this same setting (System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Modifier Keys) doesn't seem to be functioning. The default key mappings and their associated functions do seem TO BE RECOGNIZED (hardy har har) - so I don't think it's entirely keyboard driver specific. Help? I'd really like to copy, paste, switch apps, and quit apps seamlessly!

Yes, I think that I figured out that for some reason there were two keyboards listed. Also, once I installed the Microsoft Keyboard preferences plugin, it seemed to work allright as well.
I've bought a new Mini since then, and haven't seen those issue there (I use my old mini as a headless server, so no keyboard attached).

Unable to change modifier keys on exernal keyboard.

Running a unibody MBP with 10.8.5. Trying to change the modifier keys (swap Option and Command) on an external USB keyboard (daskeyboard ultimate stealth). Using Preferences -> Keyboard/Mouse -> Modifier Keys, I select my external keyboard (listed as daskeyboard) and make the switch. This has no effect. I am able to change the modifiers on the built in keyboard, but that doesn't help me.
I am not running the KB through a hub, direct connect to USB port.
I have tried all possible combinations of adjust settings, reboot, retry, unplug, re-plug, move plug - no joy.
From other posts here and elsewhere it seems this bug/glitch has been in Apple's side for a lot of years. Does anyone have a FIX for this that does not involve some hacky workaround where a chicken needs to die?
I run a linux VM on this Mac and it would be really nice if CTRL and ALT were where CTRL and ALT have been for decades.

Hello
I have a new Toshiba Satellite A75-S209 laptop. Now the keyboard was working perfectly, until i plugged in a external logitech usb keyboard. Now when i try to use the laptop keyboard alone all the characters are messed up.
i have tried to reinstall the keyboard by removing it, but i was not successful .
is there any way of re mapping all the keys?
or even like keyboard software?!
thanks
nelby

External keyboard and modifier keys

I like to swap my "Ctrl" and "Command" modifiers keys and I've never had a problem doing this until upgrading to Lion. If I disconnect and reconnect my external keyboard sometimes my modifier keys are reset.
Lion lets you change modifier keys per keyboard which is where I think the problem lies. I also have duplicate listings for my external keyboard and I'm not sure how to delete the duplicates.
Does anyone know how to fix these issues?

Also, I'm not sure if it matters but my mouse and keyboard are connected through a USB hub which then connects to the Macbook Air.

Feature Suggestion for Keyboard System Preferences - Modifier Keys

I recently picked up an iMac and it came with the new low-profile aluminum small keyboard -- without the keypad.
I really like the small keyboard except for one thing -- the placement of the fn and control keys. The larger keyboard has three modifier keys on the left side: Control, Option, Command. The small keyboard has four: fn, Control, Option, Command.
It is annoying to switch between keyboards where the control key is in a different spot on each one. Retraining my finger on a per-keyboard basis is hard.
Apple thoughtfully provided in System Preferences a Keyboard control panel and it thoughtfully provided a "Modifier Keys..." popup to allow you to reassign the modifer keys. A great feature.
The problem is: you can't use this to modify the behavior of the 'fn' key. It is apparently hardcoded.
If I could use the modifier keys dialog to change the 'fn' into a 'Control', then I could use this keyboard without swearing everytime I miss the control key.
Another feature that would be great would be if I could also have different bindings for the modifers on the left side versus the modifiers on the right. That would allow me to reassign one of the right side modifier keys (that I never use) to be an 'fn' key.

I'm in the exact same boat as you...that Fn key is driving me nuts. I tried DoubleCommand and some other things as well, but the only thing that's coming close to what I want is a free download called "KeyRemap4MacBook."
Just go under the "Remap Fn Key" section and you can basically have it act as the Command key. (I actually always had my Command and Control keys swapped, so now both the Fn and Control keys now essentially act as the Command key.)
There are a few quirks I haven't figured out -- I can't seem to do Forward Delete -- but again, it's the only thing I've found so far that works.

Changing modifier keys in keyboard preference pane has no effect

I use a standard "windows" usb external keyboard. In 10.5 you could remap the "Command" and "Option" keys to match the "Mac" layout. In 10.6 the preference pane is still available, but no matter how you change the pop-up menus the keyboard layout is not changed. See http://iamwa.de/45
I have verified this to be the case with three different USB keyboards.

@mtrichardson: THANK YOU!!! I've been having problems my modifier keys for months, and was using the section of the modifiers that affected ALL keyboards to swap the modifier keys. That section was apparently removed in snow leopard which left me high and dry until I saw your post. I tried unplugging the mouse and THEN configuring the USB keyboard, and that did the trick!
Mouse is a logitech mx revolution, which I love, but it apparently causes some strange side effects. I should never have installed Logitech's drivers.
Thanks again,
-- Mike

Customized keyboard layouts - modifier keys

Hi,
I have a question relating to the modifier keys in a customized keyboard layouts.
One can modify existing layouts or create new ones in the form of a .keylayout XML file in /Library/keyboard Layouts or ~/Library/keyboard Layouts.
According to "Technical Note TN2056" of Apple's online reference, http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/technotes/tn2002/tn2056.html, it is possible to discriminate between the "left" and "right" versions of the modifier keys (e.g. option - "left Option" and rightOption - "right Option"). However, on my mbp 13" all modifier keys seem to be recognized as their "left" versions by the system.
Is this a known problem? Does anybody know a way to obtain a keyboard layout which can discriminate between left/ and right-modifiers?
Jan

This is from the document you cited.
Note that many hardware keyboards do not have both left and right versions of a modifier key. It is usually safest to specify modifers in terms of the "any" variants (anyShift, anyOption, anyControl).

Modifier key's keyboard won't save

When I select my keyboard it reverts back to 'Apple Internal Keyboard' the second I close the window. Screen for clarity http://screencast.com/t/iTqbMg3m
The goal is to get the cntrl key to replace the windows key, and this seems to be the correct way to go about it...
I hope this is something easy! Thank you.

I don't think that dialog indicates which keyboard you are using. It lets you select the keyboard, and then set the modifier keys for that selected keyboard.
Are the adjustments not sticking for the keyboard you choose?
You might try resetting the attached keyboard type: http://www.raneri.it/blog/eng/2009/01/17/how-to-reset-the-mac-keyboard/

Modifier keys with multiple keyboards / keypads

I've got a weird one. I'm running 10.6.2 on a Mini with a Kinesis Freestyle Mac keyboard. I also just got an Ergodex DX1 input system with the Keyjack Mac software. It's amazingly cool, but there's an issue that the company says is an OSX bug/feature: the modifier keys on my main keyboard don't affect keys I've programmed on the DX1. For example, I have keys programmed as the cursor keys. However, I can't get cmd-up, shift-up, etc, using the Kinesis command and shift keys.
This is a pain and required me to waste the limited DX1 keys to have its own modifiers. Is there some way around this? I've read many threads about weird behavior with modifier keys and multiple keyboards, but haven't seen this specific issue.
Thanks for any help!
David

Something similar was asked before where the person wanted to use multiple keyboards ("standard" keyboards, but one for each hand.) It was found that the modifier keys worked only for that device. (e.g.: shift on left keyboard did not affect shift status on right keyboard.) It appears to be a limitation with most modifier keys on any keyboard, PCs included. The way most keyboards work, (at least most USB keyboards,) a code is sent with the appropriate "letter", not which key(s) are press. IOW, there's a code for "s" and "S", but not "shift-and-s". Unlike Caps Lock, the Command key is more like the shift, control, option keys, which do not have separate "codes" of their own.
So unless someone else has some other idea to try, I think you're out of luck.

Keyboard modifier keys

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