Preventing Shift Key at Startup

I would like to write a program that can prevent the shift key from being pressed at startup to disable login items.
I'm trying to setup a web kiosk and pressing the shift key at startup prevents the browser and other software from loading. This is a security hole I don't like.
Can anyone give me a hint as to where I should start?

I don't think you can write a "program" to do this, since it won't run until much later in the boot process. I think you'd have to change the kernel. I'd love to hear I was wrong though.

Similar Messages

Holding down Shift key gives me "no" symbol and gear

I'm trying to start my Mac up in "safe" mode where all startup kernels and apps don't launch.
I thought this was traditionally done by holding down the Shift key at startup.
When a Mac is normally booted, a gray screen with Apple logo and rotating gear appear. But with the Shift key held down, the Apple logo is replaced with an international "No" icon (circle with diagonal line)... and the gear just rotates infinitely.

You have a hosed OS if restarting holding down the SHIFT key (safe mode) brings up the prohibitory sign. Zap the Pram and try again. If that doesn't fix it, reinstall the 10.6.4 COMBO update, repair permissions, and restart.

No toolbar unless startup w/shift key?

No toolbar unless startup w/shift key?

I don't know which "toolbar" you refer to, but if starting up in Safe Mode is necessary to see it, this suggests some third party software conflict.
charlie

Shift key prevents typing some letters

I cannot type capital t, b, g, or the percent sign (shift+5). What I notice about these keys is they are all in a vertical 'column' so I am suspicous that it is a hardware issue.
I have the full-size brushed metal / white keys wired keyboards. Switching USB ports does nothing but switching keyboards fixes the problem. This makes me almost certain that it's a hardware issue, though the problem did start right after the 10.8.2 update was installed..
It's strange because each key works individually, 5tgb, and the SHIFt KEY WORKS FINE ON bOtH SIDES but shift+t, shift+b, shift+g, and shift+5 types nothing.
If anyone knows what could cause this or has tips for cleaning the keyboard, any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Specs:
Intel iMac late 2008
Mac OS X 10.8.2

First try resetting the SMC, this may take several attempts for it to work. You will find instructions by clicking iMac SMC and PRAM reset. If this does not work then try another USB keyboard, if that works OK that indicates your keyboard needs to be replaced.

Special boots with faulty shift key

My shift key has been faulty for a while after a minor accident which did not affect other parts of the computer (It was checked by a Mac technicial, this happended a long time ago), but since then I've had to boot my computer by holding down the escape key every time to prevent a safe boot, no problem, but cue to now, the past two days I've been having strange freezes on boot for 10-15 minutes mouse moves but cannot click, keyboard frozen. I would like to try: a. resetting the PRAM and b. running a hardware diagnostic from the CD, but I can manage to do neither presumably due to my faulty shift key problems.
Does anyone know how my shift key would interact with these other special startups? What key combinations should I try?
And
Is there a non-hold key on bootup way to do these tasks?
Thanks

ARReflections wrote:
Trust me if I thought it was the caplock key being stuck then I would not be posting this question in the first place.
The computer boots into safe mode and from what I understand, this happens when the shift key is pressed on boot up.
Thanks ARReflections for the clarification on your above statement. I miss read what you where trying to convey.
Agreed of coarse with eww assessment.
Don't rule out the problem shift key is the one you do not use regularly. Independent of cleaning under the key (DIY compressed air, removing the key cap for cleaning, etc) well could be narrowed down to the microswitch.
Depending on how far past warranty there is always the possibility it will still be honored as warranty repair, or fixed at the Genius Bar.
Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for evaluation, or call your nearest Apple Contact Center. Genius Bar at the Apple Retail Store, make a reservation

HELP! Keyboard -lowercase 'stuck'-no caps, no Shift key-Can't 'select all'

HELP!
I have tried all sorts of things, like:
- removed syst prefs to desktop then restarted
- un-done, re-done, re-booted
- tried various options in International and Keyboard & Mouse
- run disk utility, both from startup CD AND in target disk mode
- ran Smasher
- swapped out different keyboards and/or mice
...but these are my keyboard problem symptoms that persist:
- 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 am using Firefox or Word, etc., or when I create a new account as a test new user and I log-in. Keyboard works fine. So it must just be 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, no warning. But my mouse attached to it still works fine. I have no clue what to do to fix 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???

I did test with a spare keyboard, and it performed the same way: does not work for my user account, is fine for the test account I set up as an additional log-in.
I also did this to try and solve my issue, but still nothin':
- ran OnyX AND Cache Cleaner
- ran & configured PrefEdit
- ran AppleJack twice, once on AUTO for deep cleaning (in single-user mode, of course...)
- ran MacJanitor
- tried again to re-set my system prefs
- reset PRAM again
Sigh.
All I want is to be able to type capital letters in Mail & Safari. Seems like I'm asking for too much!
Sigh again.
Thanks for any other advice or things you think I should try.

T61 - Help needed to re-attach the "Shift" key

I accidentally popped off the shift key when cleaning my keyboard. Unlike most other keys on the keyboard, underneath the actual "shift" key cover is a raised point made of a blue rubber-like material. I cannot figure out to re-attach the cover to the shift key and hoping someone can help me out!
Solved!
Go to Solution.

You need a pair of tool tweezers and sober pair of hands or a small screwdriver like the jewelers driver included in those eyeglass repair clips on grocery store endcaps.
The blue cone you're referring to is often called a "chute" and black and white scissors is sometimes referred to as a "pantograph"
Use your tool to snap the pegs into the plastic brace on your deck and it should stand erectly over the blue chute.
The important part is installing the scissors with correct orientation because it can still snap fit but upside down and prevent proper key attachment before overwhelming frustration. On the bottom of your Shift key is likely the scissors and this should be snapped off the key. The white half of the scissors should be oriented north to the LCD
Then snap the scissors into the brace, the shift keys have a metal U bracket and this should be unfurled as far as possible towards the bottom / mousepad.
The shift keys are the hardest keys to reinstall but not impossible, if you become frustrated and break it,, you can buy replacement keys from third parties and we use http://www.machinaelectronics.com/store/ (no affiliation except always satisfied) for $6 replacements shipped first class.
Don't just sit there, take a second and use the Kudo's button to compliment the people who help you.

Drawing Tools Acting As If Shift Key Being Held Down

Hey guys,
Small problem here with Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.0.0. When drawing square, oval, etc., the shapes are coming up as if the Shift Key was being held down. This also happens when trying to draw a box to place a digital signature. Check my keyboard, and there was nothing stuck in it that might be pressing the Shift key. Tested out by using Microsoft Paint to draw lines and they seem to work fine, so I think the problem is only in Adobe. I couldnt find anything online regarding this issue, which was kinda hard to put into words anyways into a search engine. Ive tried running the repair installation of Adobe, but no result. Any idea what might be causing this?

Yes, that looks all like symptoms of a pressed Shift button.
If you want to uninstall and reinstall Firefox then make sure to delete the Firefox program folder to make sure that there aren't any leftover files in it.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_Firefox
You can find the latest Firefox release in all languages and for all Operating Systems here:
*Firefox 16.0.x: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html
Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.
See "Creating a profile":
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Profile_issues
There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.
If the new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.
See:
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox
Try to boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.
*http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Advanced-startup-options-including-safe-mode
*http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Advanced-startup-options-including-safe-mode

Unable to use option key on startup

My Macbook Pro is running Yosemite (version 10.10) and runs Windows 7 through Boot Camp.   Until now I have been able to hold down the Option key on startup to enable me to select OS X or Windows.   Starting today the option key does not make any difference and the computer always boots straight into Yosemite.
To eliminate a couple of possibilities:
1.   When in Yosemite I can use the Keyboard Viewer to show that the Option key does still work.
2.   If I go into settings I can select the startup disk as the Windows partition and then the computer always starts in Windows.   This shows that the Windows partition is still there and the Windows setup works.
Why can I not use the option key to allow me to select which operating system to use?

Sounds like he set the Open Firmware password - doing so will (intentionally) prevent these things. The good news is that you can undo this with some effort.
Defeating the OF password:
1) Change the amount of RAM in the machine.
2) There are programs out there that will (reportedly) extract the OF password allowing you access.
3) Resetting the PRAM 3x in a row and rebooting is supposed to do it as well. (Warning this information has been considered "secret" at times.)
Hope that helps. Searching for Open Firmware Password will give you way more information if you want it.
=Tod
G5/2.0x2, Dual XServes x2, XRAID, beige G3 501Mhz

Left Shift Key Remapped, How?

MacBook Air running OS X.
Left shift key when depressed remaps my keyboard, how can I get it to not do this? Example below:
Right Shift Key - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ?><
Left Shift Key - ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒÂ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸¿¯˘
Help please.
Kent

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
Step 2
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you boot, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, reboot as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

Left shift key remapped into alt key

Hi Everybody
The left shift key of my Macbook air started to work exactly like the alt key, like it was remapped.
(the alt key works normally)
The solution of the problem might be simple but I couldn't find any way to change the behaviour in Maverick.
Can anyone help?
Thanks
and14

Try a restart.
Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.
Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.
Isolating an issue by using another user account
If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.
Safe Mode
Safe Mode - About
Do you have another keyboard you could test with?

Screen stuck on gray, used shift key and my screen appears with MacBook Pro and not the recovery option. Please help

Screen stuck on gray, used shift key and my screen appears with MacBook Pro and not the recovery option. Please help!

Hi ..
Shift key boots into Safe Mode, not Recovery.
This only works on a Mac running v10.7 Lion or later.
Startup your Mac while holding down the Command + R keys. From there you should be able to access the built in utilities to repair the startup disk and restore OS X using OS X Recovery
If you can't boot into Recovery Mode, help here > Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup

Illustrator CS5 OSX 10.6.7 - Shift key not working properly.

The shift key no longer works as it should in illustrator ie. doesn't constrain proportions.
I've searched around for this problem and none of the solutions have worked. I have tried restarting my mac; closing all applications and reopening Illustrator on it's own; and I have tried deleting the preferences file. All to no avail.
Thanks for any help.

Managed to solve the issue. I use chrome and even then there were no chrome processes running at the time. It turns out that it was FontExplorer X Pro; which I forgot that it opened automatically on startup. It seems I have to open Illustrator first, then FontExplorer afterwards; otherwise this problem happens.
Pain in the ass but oh well. Thanks for the help.

Shift key not resizing proportionately

I'm on CS4 Illustrator and it seems when I resize while holding down the shift key, the object isn't staying proportioned. Also, when I resize an object by clicking on the width and height value in the menu bar, the object does not stay centered when it resizes.
Is a setting off?

qindi,
Presuming you have ticked the Center Reeference Point in the Transform palette, both issues may be caused by corrupted preferences.
You may try to Ctrl/Cmd+Alt/Option+Shift during startup or to Move the folder to set things right.

Odd glitch causing shift key to be randomly activated

Hi... I seem to be having some sort of glitch with my keyboard. On various programs (IM, Word, various Internet browsers) I will have times where my letters are being randomly capitalized (aNd wiLl apPeaR lIke ThIs). This is a great annoyance, and earlier an instance such as this prevented me from starting up my computer because I could not enter my password correctly with the randomly capitalized characters. It appears that when this happens, it is as if my shift key is randomly being activated (numbers will appear as symbols, such as @ instead of 2, and Internet pages will open in new windows when I do not want them to). Hopefully someone can help me out here- Thanks!

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
It's hard to say what the cause is here, but I'm wondering if the unwanted shift is associated with one or both shift keys. You can go to Systems Preferences>International>Input Menu and check the box that says "Keyboard Viewer". This will install a little flag in the menu bar. You can click on it and get the keyboard viewer, which will highlight the keys as you type. It should also highlight the random shift that occurs when you don't strike a key. If this turns out to be confined to just one shift key, it might be that something has gotten into it or under the keycap that is making it malfunction. You can pull the keyboard out and look at the shift keys from the edges. You can look for foreign objects and also check the action of both to see if they are equally crisp or if one seems to be sticky. Has anything ever been spilled on the keyboard? If so, that could be related to this problem. If so, it's possible that cleaning that shift key will help:
http://mij.oltrelinux.com/ibook/cleaning_keyboard/
This looks like lot of trouble, but it might be worth trying for one or two keys.
At the moment, I am assuming some sort of physical glitch that has a physical fix. But I don't know if it could possibly be a software glitch. But it's probably worth trying to find something simple first.
Good luck!

Preventing Shift Key at Startup

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