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

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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.

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

Changing modifier keys on only external keyboad

There was a similar post that was labelled as solved, but in fact did not address the greater problem.
I have the same problem as the original poster in this thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=778597&tstart=0
but the solution posted won't work for me–my external IBM keyboard does not have any software of its own (for os x) to manually remap the keys.
Might there be a way to fiddle around with the Apple USB kernel extensions to solve the issue?
In any even I sincerely hope Apple adds this simple setting to its keyboard preferences in the new os, it would be greatly appreciated.
PowerBook G4 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

@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

How much does it cost to change one key on the keyboard ?

i have dropped my hair dryer on my keyboard, i would like to know how much it cost to change these keys:
1. v
2. b
3. n
4. space key
plz email me back at [email protected]

Service Answer Center - iPhone - http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=servicefaq&geo=US&product=iphone <-- enter correct country in drag-down menu once on page.
"Service arranged through Apple costs £ 55.00. A £ 7.44 shipping fee will be added if this service requires shipping. All fees are in British Pound Sterling and include VAT."

How can I disable the orange modifier keys on the keyboard?

These orange keys are stuck enabled on my keyboard and I am unable to turn them off. I've tried pressing every button combined with Option, Command, and Control. I get áéíóú instead of the quotation marks and the normal keys I want. I have shut down, restarted, mashed buttons, nothing has worked.
Someone, please, how do I turn this off!?

One or more keys on the keyboard do not respond
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1381

Caps Lock LED incorrect when changing modifier keys

Hello,
I remapped Caps Lock and Ctrl keys via keyboard settings (they're now flipped). Unfortunately the Caps Lock LED is still being activated by the "old" Caps Lock key (which is now the Ctrl key). This means that whenever I hit Ctrl (using the Caps Lock key) the Caps Lock LED changes its status.
This is rather annoying as it ends up being in random state and tells me nothing about the actual Caps Lock status. Is there a way to fix this?
Thanks!

Hello:
I suggest you call Applecare with a warranty issue. The KB has a one year Apple warranty. I would not waste any more time trying additional things. You have already tried everything I would suggest.
Barry

Unable to change registry key permissions using group policy

In order to fix a problem with a piece of software not saving it's settings I need to change the permission on a registry key of our client machines.
I've setup a GPO and in Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Registry specified the registry key I want to change the permission on, added our staff security group and given the full control over that key.
The permission are not being changed and when I run rsop I'm getting the following error:
The policy engine did not attempt to configure the setting. For more information see %windir%\security\logs\winlogon.log on the target machine.
I've looked in the winlogon.log file and can see nothing meaningful that relates to this GPO. I set the logging to be verbose and this doesn't include any additional information. There appears to be nothing meaningful in the event logs on the
local machine.
The OS is Windows 7 SP1
Anybody shed any light why the policy wouldn't be applying the permissions to the registry key?

Hi,
Is this client running Windows 7 64bit? If so, this problem is expected since the Wow6432Node key is only recognizable in 64bit applications.
Security Client Side extension is a 32 bit application and therefore cannot see the key to change permissions. In this situation, you need to change permission in HKLM/Software/[appname]. For more information, please refer to
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896459
If it is Windows 7 32bit, this is a GPO not apply issue. Please check if the following registry keys exist on the Windows 7 client:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SMART Technologies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SMART Technologies Inc.
If so, please help collect the following information:
1.
Did this problem only occur on one Windows 7 client or occur on all Windows 7clients?
2.
What’s the Operating System on the DC?
3.
Enable debug logging for the Net Logon service. Reproduce the problem and check if there is any relevant error.
Enabling debug logging for the Net Logon service
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/109626
Regards,
Bruce

Change sequencer key from midi keyboard?

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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.

Modifier Key Mapping Not Working

When I'm at home, I connect my MacBook Pro to a 24" LCD, along with an external keyboard and mouse. One of the small features I was looking forward to in Leopard was not having to go into System Preferences and switch the modifier keys to correctly work with my external keyboard, but I've discovered that the feature isn't working. I choose "USB Receiver" from the keyboard drop-down, re-map the Option and Command keys, click OK, and close SysPrefs. Nothing has changed; the Command key on my keyboard is still performing as Option and Option is still Command. When I go into the Keyboard & Mouse section of SysPrefs, the Modifier Keys pane is back to it's default values. I'm wondering if this is a bug in 10.5 that will be fixed with 10.5.1, or if it's just my keyboard. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Message was edited by: bradbergeron
Message was edited by: bradbergeron

Any updates on this bug?
On my Powerbook, I have to swap the modifier keys under the "All" setting to make the change take effect on the external USB keyboard I'm using. Changing modifier keys on just the "DELL USB KEYBOARD" (in my particular case) has no effect.
It's just a minor annoyance (having to reset my modifier keys back to defaults when I need to use the built-in keyboard), but all the same the feature doesn't appear to work as it should.
Or is it just me?

Mac keys on Microsoft keyboard

I have a Microsoft wireless desktop 7000 and the Intellipoint 6.2 drivers for the Mac. The keyboard and mouse are recognized by my iMac but how but what is the equivalent of the "command" key on a non-Apple keyboard?

Alt - the one just to the right and left of the spacebar.
That being said, sometimes you have to go in to the preferences and switch the modifier keys because the keyboard itself is programmed to switch Command and Option keys when used on a Mac. It's weird.
Try just using Alt as the command key first. If that doesn't work, try going in to the Keyboard preferences, click the "Modifier Keys..." button, and switch the Option and Command keys around.

Remapping modifier keys and others via XML .keylayout file

I have a video editing keyboard that requires some keys to be remapped to work correctly on my mac. Specifically I need to remap the modifier keys on the keyboard. The first thing I need to do is remap key 50 to be command instead of ~. I am trying to do this via a custom XML .keylayout file. I have read the documentation on .keylayout files and can't make sense of what it says to do. Also, I've tried many of the keymapping tools that people have recommended and they don't work for remapping modifier keys.
Any help with this would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Hi cstrouse,
I think you should try the link below and use Ukelele; it does exactly what you need with a gorgeous graphic UI.
I would'nt mess with XML...
http://scripts.sil.org/cms/scripts/render_download.php?site_id=nrsi&format=file& media_id=Ukelele_2.2.4&filename=Ukelele_2.2.4.dmg

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.

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.

Unable to change modifier keys on exernal keyboard.

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