Some applications behave as though modifier keys are pressed

I am experiencing occasions when some applications behave as though modifier keys are being pressed (ie Command Key, Option Key and Shift Key). At first I thought the problem was isolated to Adobe Creative Suite Applications but have now found that MYOB is also affected. I have tried multiple keyboards (even no keyboard) so I do not believe it is a keyboard hardware problem. I am running on the hardware and software listed below.
When the problem occurs it immediately affects all applications listed below in the way described. Many other applications appear unaffected. The only way I have found to fix the problem is to reboot the machine. After rebooting, the problem may not reoccur for several days, or may reoccur within half an hour. This problem has been occurring since some time in December 2010. I have also confirmed that none of the behaviour listed below occurs when the problem isn't present.
Affected Applications & Observed Behaviour:
- Adobe Photoshop CS4: All tools behave as though the option key is being pressed (rendering them unusable).
- Adobe Dreamweaver CS4: When clicking on the contents of an open file, Dreamweaver behaves as though Cmd+Opt is pressed (ie the code navigator appears making the program unusable)
- All applications in Adobe CS4 Suite: Upon startup, each application behaves as though CmdOptShift is pressed (resets preferences).
- MYOB: When the cursor is in a data field, the delete key behaves as though the option key is pressed (ie entire field is deleted rather than a single character)
I have been working with Adobe telephone support without success for about 3 weeks but since noticing the problem also affects MYOB, it now seems feasible that it is caused by something outside of the Adobe Creative Suite.
Any help would be appreciated.
Message was edited by: Leon Borrack

Leon,
You are not alone - I sometimes suffer a similar issue and I don't use any Adobe software. For me, it manifests itself as modifier keys being pressed in Safari, Mail or Finder. This normally happens shortly after a wake from sleep. I'm using an old-style Bluetooth Apple keyboard on a Mac Pro 1,1. I can't tell you what causes it, but I can tell you the solution that I've found: If I relaunch Finder the problem goes away...
To relaunch Finder (apologies if you already know this), press 'Cmd-Option-Escape', select 'Finder' and click relaunch. For some reason the seemingly stuck modifier is cleared. It's not an terribly elegant solution, but it is a lot quicker and less disruptive than rebooting.
Hope that helps a little.
Greg

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