Keyboard problem unsolvable, or just challenging ?

As I seem to have run out of help on the previous thread I will restate the problem and the steps I have taken to troubleshoot it:
Problem:
I have the Apple Keyboard which came with my 1st generation Intel iMac. It has a numeric keypad, but no num-lock key. The "." key and the number keys do not make input to any of my applications. The =, /, *, -, and + keys on the numeric keypad work as they should.
Steps I've taken:
1) Pressing those keys with Keyboard Viewer open indicates the keys are connected to the system.
2) Repaired permissions from Safe Boot
3) Repaired disk from OS startup disk
4) Changed USB ports
5) Re-started computer (many times)
6) Tried another keyboard (a brand new one)
Inasmuch as steps 2 through 6 did not result in my being able to use the keys in question, it is reasonable to assume that there is some, as yet undiagnosed, software problem.
Is there anyone out there who has a new idea for me to try ?

If you provided the latest OS X upgrade Snow Leopard 10.6.x a completely erased, or
zero-overwritten, partition mapped GUID, and formatted HFS+ free space for an all
new complete install, without any chance of the former system problems or any odd
user account glitches from your former content, a new system should have been a
good test-bed to further diagnose any (hardware?) agent; if glitches survived the event.
To upgrade over a problematic computer configuration appears to have only added
a new level of mystery to the mixture of previous system problems in the early Intel
based Core Duo computer. Not sure, but at one point some Core Duo (not C2D)
models owners had issue when upgraded past Leopard 10.5.8. There may have
been some Firmware update offered, but I have not followed their development.
You should have a complete pre-upgrade bootable clone of the iMac's Tiger system;
to revert to or at least to use for file recovery purposes or migration purposes; then
you could totally erase the computer's hard disk drive and have Disk Utility write
zeros over the expanse of its capacity; so if there is a chance of corruption issues,
you can mitigate them or at least try. Before upgrading to a system so far advanced.
A clone backup gives you an ability to actually revert to a former state, via re-clone.
There have been some instances of user experience where Leopard 10.5.8 worked
well in a class of Intel-based Mac computer, but Snow Leopard did not do as well.
So, you may need to do a thorough effort to restore a working system from scratch.
Good luck & happy computing!

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Help! Safari keyboard problem- is it just me?

Hello,
I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem with this site (verizon wireless) or any other websites while using safari on iPad. I often use the verizon wireless site to send texts to friends with verizon phones, a feature that would be very useful on the iPad but when I try to enter the body of the text the keyboard appears for just a second and the disappears. I am able to enter the phone number to send it to but all of the other parts of the form do the same thing. I select the box on the form and it highlights but the keyboard only appears for a second before it disappears again. I even tried to keep my finger on the box while I enter the text but that doesn't work either.
If you have a second, could you check and see if this happens on your iPad as well (link below)? Are there other sites that folks have had this problem with?
It's incredibly frustrating because obviously I can't text from the iPad but this site would allow me to text my verizon friends when my phone is somewhere else (I use it on my computer all the time). Any help would be much appreciated. Or a verification that it's not just me ; ) !
Here is the site:
https://text.vzw.com/customersite/jsp/messaginglo.jsp
Thanks!
Message was edited by: corar57

I get the same resUlts as you. I would suggest loading TextPlus from the App Store. It will give you the same features, and if you sign up at their website, people will be able to send you texts in addition to replying to yours.

Solaris 8 & Keyboard Problem on DELL Inspiron Laptop

Hi all,
Trying to install Solaris 8 on Dell Inspiron 4000 laptop, but the keyboard gets stuck at the stage where I need to select the language. No response to keyboard and the machine just hangs. The keyboard works initially, I used the F2 key to continue to the next screen. Has anyone seen this before? Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks
[email protected]

I'm experiencing this exact problem on my Dell Inspiron 4000 as well. When I trying to select the Language stage of the installation, my laptop responds with garble text, and then the laptop locks up. Please let me know if you have a resolution.
vinh
[email protected]

Keyboard problems out of the box with iPhone 3g

My iPhone 3g is showing strange keyboard behavior, typically starts when launching the SMS app.
The "P" and Backspace keys, the keys on the rightmost part of the touch area, are non-responsive. The issue will correct itself after 15 mins or so, but it's become very annoying.
I've made sure I'm not touching any other part of the screen as a possible cause. Showed it to and had three other iPhone users see what I see and they all agree it seems like a bug, just to confirm it's not me.
Took it to the Apple Store and of course the iPhone behaves when showing it to the Genius.
Anyone else experienced keyboard problems with 2.0 firmware?

Well, I took my 16GB iPhone 3g (white) back to the Apple Store today and the Genius looked it over -- said that's the first keyboard problem he's seen come in and mentioned that it was strange the "dead zone" on the touch screen was vertical since, according to him, most "dead zones" tend to be horizontal areas. He said the touch screen matrix is laid out in three horizontal bands on the screens.
Bottom line: he gave me a new working iPhone 3g.
He did mention that all returned iPhone 3g's are being sent directly back to the iPhone 3g engineering team for full "autopsies", not just sent back to factory for refurb. He said they want to fully diagnose and understand what defects are out there so as to solve the root cause moving forward.

HELP! Keyboard problems

HELP!
I have tried all sorts of things, like:
- removed syst prefs to desktop then restarted
- un-done, re-done, re-booted various options in International and Keyboard & Mouse
- run disk utility, both from startup CD AND in target disk mode
- ran permission smasher
- swapped out different keyboards and/or mice
...but these are my keyboard problem symptoms:
- numeric keypad not working
- the shift key (for caps & shift characters) not working&
- commands (i.e., "Select All") not working
...the keyboard does not work in any native Mac appl (e.g., Mail, Safari, TextEdit).
The only time my keyboard will work correctly is when I create a test new user and log-in. So it's just for me as user.
Also, oddly enough, keyboard prefs do not show up anywhere.
Anyplace where I should see something, such as
Library>preferences - there should be a file com.apple.keyboardtype.plist --- there is no file in any of the folders anywhere.
All of a sudden the keyboard stopped working, but the mouse attached to it still works. I have no clue what to do to fix it and my AppleCare has ran out.
Other things I have noticed and tried:
- running tech tool
- repairing permissions
- switching usb ports for the keyboard from the back of the display
- removing the mouse from the back of the keyboard
- unplugging everything but the keyboard and mouse
...any ideas???

Hi, DR -
The numeric keypad not working sounds like MouseKeys became enabled in the Universal Access part of System Preferences.
The Shift key and Command keys not working sounds like Sticky Keys became enabled in the Universal Access part of System Preferences.
Check the Universal Access control pane in System Preferences - if those features are checkmarked, try unchecking them.

Keyboard problem typing random letters and symbols

I'm having a keyboard problem, the g key, t key, and 5 key type random letters and symbols. i just spent $700 a few monoths ago to a genius [at getting my money] for a logic board after spillin somethin on it. didnt spill anyqthing time. shoot. is this goin to be another major expenditure? downloaded os x 9.4, hoping that might somehow cure it. yeah right

Hi Rob,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like your running into an issue with the keyboard on your MacBook Pro. The article linked below provides suggestions that will resolve most keyboard issues like the one you described.
OS X Mavericks: If keys on your keyboard don’t work
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13809
If other keys don’t work
You may have accidentally set an option that changes how your keyboard operates.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Dictation & Speech, then click “Text to Speech.” If “Speak selected text when the key is pressed” is selected, deselect it or click Change Key to select another key.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Keyboard. Make sure Slow Keys is turned off. If Slow Keys is on, you must hold down a key longer than usual before it’s recognized.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Mouse & Trackpad. Make sure Mouse Keys is off. If Mouse Keys is on, pressing keys in the numeric keypad moves the pointer instead of entering numbers.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Keyboard, then click Input Sources. Select “Show Input menu in menu bar.” Open the Input menu and make sure the correct keyboard layout is selected. To see the keyboard layout, click Keyboard, then choose “Show Keyboard & Character Viewers in menu bar.”
I hope this helps.
-Jason

Keyboard problems with Enter, delete, backspace, and right/left arrows

In some applications, such as Yahoo and this message block right now !!, when composing a message, the arrow keys and delete, backspace keys become non responsive. Various ones will work on a random basis.
I am getting double "carriage returns" also. Maybe this is why in Omegle when I press ENTER, it will not post a chat message; it will bring up a scroll box and for me to post the comment, I have to use the mouse to click ENTER.
I have changed batteries in my keyboard, uninstalled /reinstalled Firefox. I have checked the above websites in Chrome and other browsers, and there are no problems.
This has happened before, I don't recall what the solution was or if it just went away.'''
Affected sites -- at least these
http://us.mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?ncrumb=Fx5R4O7ccqb&.rand=1041364415&nmig=yes#
http://omegle.com/
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/new?product=beta&category=b2&search=Keyboard+problems+with+Enter%2C+delete%2C+backspace%2C+and+right%2Fleft+arrows&showform=1

PROBLEM SOLVED: http://forum.archlinux-br.org/viewtopic.php?id=1257
Solution posted on Brazilian Archlinux forum. Credits to user "920608".
[cache]
/etc/xorg.conf
Section "Files"
#RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
EndSection
Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AutoAddDevices" "False"
EndSection
C'ya

Funny sort of keyboard problem.

For some reason unknown to myself, the forward slash and apostrophe keys are not working properly on my macbook. On any forum page, including this one, if I hit either of those keys then a little Quick Find Google window opens at the bottom left corner of the page instead of the keyboard key image ! Just those two keys, no others. I have run Utilities , Disk, Permission verify and repair etc and all is OK. I have run an ONYX clean up and all is OK , but the problem still exists.
What do I do ? Yes the ? and " are OK but not the lower case function.
Thanks
4jbl7

Hi 4jbl7!
How about if we try this...
1. Go into System Preferences
2. Go into International
3. Go into Input Menu
4. Turn On / Enable "Keyboard Viewer"
You'll now notice a flag appears by the clock (US Flag in most cases) and the Keyboard Viewer will now appear on your screen. When you press these keys, do they register on the Keyboard Viewer? You might want to try resetting the PRAM (though I don't think it'll fix the issue, it won't hurt anything) by pressing and holding "Command-Option-P-R" when you first turn on the machine until the Apple logo appears with the "spinning wheel."
If all this fails, then the next step would be to contact AppleCare over the phone at 1-800-APL-CARE or visit a local Apple Store (Genius Bar, make an appointment). It's possible that the sensor pads on those specific keys have failed and may need to be replaced. If you're within the one-year limited warranty OR purchased AppleCare for the machine, and there's no signs of liquid or physical damage that may have caused the keyboard issue; then you should be covered to have it replaced. Obviously, the service technician will make the final call on all that.
Good Luck!

IOS 7, iPad 4: keyboard problems with Shift key

Since I have upgraded my iPad 4 to iOS 7 a few days ago the keyboard drives me mad: I did not experience the overall slowness of the keyboard as reported by so many others. Anyway, I reset my settings just to be safe. But the reset had absolutely no influence on my real problem which is as follows:
Whenever and wherever (each app) I type, it is just a matter of luck whether or not the keyboard will recognise me typing the Shift key in order to get capital letters - and there are many caps in German words because each noun must be in caps! In 70% of all cases iOS will just write my capital letters as lower-case ones because it just does not recognise me hitting the Shift key, especially when typing quickly. Under iOS 6 this problem did not exist. I am losing so much time fixing missing capitalisation in all my texts (I use iPad for business) and/or typing extra slow and hitting the virtual Shift key on the screen extra hard that there is absolutely no flow in typing. Everything is just slow, whacky and it drives me nuts! How can it be that the latest iPad 4 with so much CPU power cannot handle a simple thing as typing caps? I am also experiencing problem when using the wipe-up gesture to get umlauts on vowels. It is not as bad as with Shift, but also noticeable.
Is there any solution to this problem? It is a major impediment and I am even considering an iOS downgrade because it is basically killing my ability to work efficiently with my iPad. Otherwise I am kinda okay with iOS 7, but this is a real show stopper. I wonder why I found nobody else on the whole web mentioning this problem.

Thank you Habitoti for describing the necessary change to the way that we need to type on ios devices to avoid the capital letter problem.
Holding the shift key fractionally longer solves the problem. But why oh why would Apple require users to fundamentally change the way they touch type by introducing a different keyboarding protocol like this? It is most unlike Apple to have us now have to consciously think about how to touch type all over again.
Intuitive operating systems are what make Apple so great. This keyboard problem is definitely not intuitive and it is driving me crazy.
Apple, you need to change the time weighting on the shift key in iOs 7.04.
Please, pretty please!

Can;t get past the boot screen (formerly, "I'm having a keyboard problem")

Hello there,
This is my first post on this forum, and I'm here to ask for some help with my first build. The main problem at this point is that after I power on the system, it goes to the Platinum screen and says "press <Tab> to enter Post, or <Del> to enter setup" but neither of these, nor any key on the keyboard will respond.
I have not installed the OS yet, since I can't get to the Bios to do anything else.
I hope I included enough info on my signiture. Let me know if you need anymore info.
Eclayton
PS I changed the title of this thread, from "I'm having keyboard problems" since I think that was misleading, and not the real issue

Quote from: JeanGuy on 01-September-05, 02:54:02
Hello e,
Good to see you up and running. Good luck loading up your operating system.
The reason I wanted you to get your SATA drive connected to your motherboard SATA 3 connector is just that sata 1/2 connectors are unlocked. There is no way around it. SATA 3/4 connectors are locked and will give you better reliability and flexivility later on.
Updating your power supply may not be a bad idea if you got the cash. You have only 18 Amps on your 12 volts rail which is quite a bit lower than the recommended 24 Amps on 12 Volts for high end system such as yours. Use the one you have for now and see if it can get you into Windows running everything that you want and then make a decision. With no OCing you may be able to seak by if you get decent electrical power from your utility company. Your system voltage and stability once running will let you know.
Have fun,
Yep, got the OS up and running (it wasn't recognizing the hard drives at first, since I had strung up the wiring real nice, and neglected to plug in the power to them! D'oh!) But that was easy to fix.
Got the card reader loaded now, so everythings in place.
But, I think the power supply is an issue and will get a bigger one. The message I get says there's not enough power for the video card, so to keep my hardware safe from damage, it is only running within my available power. That's good for now, while I load my AV, and other programs, but I'm going to the store to buy that power supply...Do you think the above one I posted is worth a shot? It seemed a better solution then the one I have in the case...
Oh, one more thing, what does Locked and Unlocked mean, with SATA 1/2 and SATA 3/4? I'll switch them when I put in the new PS, but just wondered what that meant.
Hey, thanks a bunch. This has been fun, and you've been a big help.
Eric

Re: rollover keyboard problem with a Presario C769US

This Presario C769US OS Win7 Home 32 bit works just fine except for 1 game that I play a lot away from home. Like if I have a few hours to kill before a meeting starts. This older games are simple to play using just the keyboard. So I don't have to lug around cd/dvd's, joysticks and manuals.
1 game Bio Menace requires certain keyboard cmd's to be entered during game play in order to turn the cheat menu on. 1st C+A+T then C+O+D > a box opens up and type in 91827 then hit enter. (Here is were the Rollover cmd error starts) I next press and hold J+I+M wait a 1/2 second then press space bar. Then let up all 4 keys at the same time. If timming is correct The cheat menu pops up. I checked the keyboard with a keyboard testing prog. When I press J+I+M everything works fine. But holding J+I+M down and pressing space bar, The space bar just doesn't get seen as been pushed. This is the 2nd laptop that I got. The 1st one an Acer one laptop had the same kind of keyboard problem. Now my primary home computer is a Gateway laptop model MD2614U OS win7 32 bit and that big old Toshiba M60 laptop (before the screen croaked) is the one I carryed in my backpack. Now the Gateway laptop and the Toshiba laptop both could handle the J+I+M then space bar cmd with no problems. Is there any way to fix this rollover problem in the Presario laptop?
Steve

Hello @reble1,
Welcome to the HP Forums, I hope you enjoy your experience! To help you get the most out of the HP Forums I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.
I have read your post on how the keyboard keys on your notebook computer are not working, and I would be happy to assist you in this matter!
To return the functionality to your notebook's keyboard, I recommend following this document on Notebook Keyboard Troubleshooting (Windows 7). This should help configure the keys on your keyboard for proper use.
Please re-post with the results of your troubleshooting, and I look forward to your reply!
Regards
MechPilot
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

HP ProBook 4720s - Keyboard problem

Hello all,
Recently I've bought HP Probook 4720s, and sometimes keyboard stops working normally, some buttons not print on the screen (in any editor, notepad or ms word etc)
For example, if I print 10 times button "1" then "enter" in notepad, and repeat that several times, result will be:
111111111
1111111111
111111111
111111111
1111111111
111111111
1111111111
1111111111
PC system is Windows 7 Ultimate, BIOS is 16/09/2010, same problem occurs in Safe Mode.
Link to video with problem demonstration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAFDb9HqEzs
Could anyone help me?
Thanks!
Actually issue described: http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-HP-Compaq-Armada-EVO/HP-ProBook-4720s-Keyboard-problem/td-p/23...
Maybe here HP support can provide with some solution! Thanks.

Is the unit under warranty? The warrant status can be checked here:
http://www13.itrc.hp.com/service/ewarranty/warrantyResults.do?admit=109447627+1286541891570+28353475
________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I Love Kudos! If you feel my post has helped you please click the White Kudos! Star just below my name
If you feel my answer has fixed your problem please click 'Mark As Solution' and make it easier for others to find help quickly

HP Pavilion 15 notebook : keyboard problem

hi,
Product Name:HP Pavilion 15 notebook
Operating system: windows 8
I am having trouble with my laptop's keyboard. It started as a problem with both the Shift keys i.e. whenever I clicked on it , the keyboard typed either 'z' or 'q' or 'zx' or 'qw'. Then after doing some surfing on the net , I tried some solutions but it resulted in the disabling of keys '1', 'w', 's' and 'x' instead of Shift keys. Shift keys are working perfectly now.I also tried uninstalling the drive but when I restart, the drive automatically comes back along with the problem. Its just been seven months since i bought the laptop, its still under Warranty but it would be helpful if an easier solution came along the way.

Hi,
First do a Hard Reset and check..it has fixed similar issue many times..
Performing a Hard Reset or Forced Reset
If problem still continues then follow the instructions below:
Notebook Keyboard Troubleshooting (Windows 8)
Note:
If you have HP Support Assistant installed on the computer(The Blue Question Mark) then open it ==> Complete all pending Updates & Tuneups==> Restart and Check. It may solve your problem
Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP.
**Click on “Kudos” Star if you think this reply helped** Or Mark it as "Solved" if issue got fixed.

Strange keyboard problem

I do a little bit of tech support as part of my job and about a year ago I installed a couple of TouchSmart computers for some customers running Windows Vista Business 64-bit. (I think that's the version of Vista, there are too many to remember It was 64-bit I do remember that for sure).
Just before Christmas I upgraded both of them to Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. Everything seemed to work fine. However now they are both experience weird keyboard problems. When they type the keyboard will become unresponsive or delayed. Sometimes they can't type at all and some times when they type nothing will happen initially and then what they typed will show up after the fact. Usually with a delay of a couple of seconds.
One of them is using the stock HP wireless keyboard and one is using a MS ergo wireless keyboard. Since they are both having the same problem with different keyboards it seems like an OS issue to me.
I've done a remote log in session with their computers and it accepts input from my typing from a remote computer with no problems.
Their office is about an hour away, so I haven't had the chance yet to go over there and test out a keyboard with a USB connection rather than wireless, but aside from that I'm not sure what to try hardware wise. The keyboards they are using worked find in Vista.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

Hey guys,
I was also having this issue, but found that i didnt have a problem using USB connected keyboards,
Maybe give that a try?
Also try re-installing the wirless optical media kit drivers in windows device manager?
Other than that it is probably an OS issue as its not just one specific type of keyboard.
Hope this helps in som way (:
BobertWhoa

Aluminium Extended Keyboard and Wireless Keyboard Problems

Hi
I'm having problems with both keyboards. I have repaired permissions and repaired the disk.
I can't use the keyboard to invoke the Hardware test from the second installation DVD when restarting (holding done the D key), nor can I boot of the first installation DVD by holding down the C Key. Likewise, neither keyboards permit the pRAM to be zapped.
Holding down the Option key when restarting has no effect.
When typing, some keyboard characters and the function keys just won't work on the wireless keyboard. For example, on the extended keyboard I am using now, I can't type a capital t.
the only way to boot from the installation disk, is to select it as the start-up disk in System Preferences.
the login screen does not allow me to type in the password first time around. it just keeps adding bullets, e.g. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
the only way to get around this is to press enter, let the login window shake itself, and try again.
I think this is a software / firmware / driver problem. Perhaps it is related to the 10.6.8 update? the keyboard problems have only started happening today.
My wife said she had to stop everything the other day, because the iMac demanded (out of the blue) that a restart was required. She could do nothing but restart the iMac.
Without a fully functioning keyboard, the computer is not much use!
Any ideas?

Your wife's remark indicates a KP. See
What is a kernel panic,
Technical Note TN2063: Understanding and Debugging Kernel Panics,
Mac OS X Kernel Panic FAQ,
Resolving Kernel Panics, and
Tutorial: Avoiding and eliminating Kernel panics for more details.
However, if you can't access anything with the keyboards, then your best bet is AppleCare's Express Lane.

Keyboard problem unsolvable, or just challenging ?

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