Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard - Caps Lock Issue

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Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard - Caps Lock Issue

I've purchased the new Apple aluminum bluetooth keyboard, and I'm noticing that the caps lock key has some issues... first off, the little light that indicates the key is on/off rarely comes on. Second, the capslock key doesn't register each time it's depressed, making typing very awkward because I'm quite the proficient typer, and I use the capslock key to type all my uppercase characters, even single characters (goofy, I know), so I often type a word or two in caps before I stop myself and go back.

I've been using Apple laptops for several years now, so I'm quite used to the flat keys and I'm sure I'm depressing the key correctly as I type. I've also tested it quite thoroughly by carefully pressing it down, just to see if I'm certain, although these tests are somewhat hampered by the first issue (no light to indicate wether it's really on or not).

The keyboard is brand new (it's not even a week old), and I'm not sure if it might just be a manufacturing flaw with this particular unit or if it's software related (as there has already been one patch for this line of keyboards this week). Other then that, it runs great and feels amazing (especially being used to a laptop keyboard). It's also light as a feather! However, is anyone else experiencing any issues like this?

Alex

MBP 1x2.16 - 17" - 2GB - 120GB - 10.4, Mac OS X (10.4.8), MP 2x2.0 - 23" HD - 1GB - 1,720GB - 10.4 Server

Posted on Oct 4, 2007 8:34 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 4, 2007 9:03 PM in response to Altirus

My caps lock key suffers from the same problem that when I try to engage, it doesn't lock. I am also having issues with the space bar. It makes a squishy noise as if there is plastic under it. So it gets very annoying. I am going to ask for an exchange tomorrow.

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Answer 2

maxnuss

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2007 8:09 AM in response to Peter K. Grether

The caps lock key takes more of a press to engage than the other keys do - see here: http://rentzsch.com/notes/applesantiCAPSLOCK.

Try pressing and holding the key for a few seconds? Does the light come on? If it does, than this behavior is not a problem but an intentional design decision.

(If it won't come on no matter what you do, then obviously this is not the right explanation.)

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Answer 3

Altirus Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 5, 2007 12:13 PM in response to maxnuss

When I hold it down for a few seconds the light does not come on. Of course, given that the light rarely comes on at all (even when caps is active), I can't easily test how long you have to hold it down to get the caps key on/off. Interesting article/link by the way. 🙂

Alex

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Answer 4

Oct 6, 2007 7:13 AM in response to Altirus

hi,

i've also just received my new BT wireless keyboard and am experiencing the same issue with the keyboard regarding the CAPS lock key.

i've updated the keyboard via the apple site but it will either not come on at all when pressed or i can not turn it off.

Hvae spoken with Apple Technical support but they have not heard of the issue and really didn't help much either.

SaruK

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Answer 5

Altirus Author

Level 1

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Oct 6, 2007 9:29 AM in response to Saruwatari.Kaito

SaruK, does your caps key status light have problems as well? Or is it just the functionality of the key itself (on/off)?

I'm entertaining the possibility that this may be a software glitch, and if enough people post that they're having issues I'll gather what info I can to help Apple resolve the issue.

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Answer 6

deadeye7

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2007 3:30 PM in response to Altirus

I'm having the same problem even after receiving a replacement Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard. I called Apple and told them about my problem originally and they sent me this new keyboard which does the same thing. This replacement was brand new and does the same thing. The caps lock key works when it wants! This is not acceptable.

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Answer 7

Altirus Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2007 5:14 PM in response to deadeye7

New development: I've noticed my caps key (incl. light) has been working how I would describe as "as intended" for the last few hours; ever since I bumped the power key on the side of the battery tube earlier while picking up the keyboard. I'm not sure if this is the cause of my recent success, but I'll look into it.

I'm thinking more and more this is a software related issue. Perhaps Apple will look into how the various states the keyboard can be in (I'm sure there must be a few, or perhaps in relation to the state of the system) might affect the caps key. It sounds weird, I know, but things seem to be working just fine now. I'm not sure how long that will last of course; I'll post again if/when it stops working, which my guess will be tomorrow after I've let my system go to sleep for the night, but that's speculation based on the fact that my MBP has other "wake from sleep" quirks I've learned to deal with...maybe this is one of them.

Alex

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Answer 8

Oct 10, 2007 12:36 AM in response to Altirus

hi,

i also think this is a software glitch as well, as i was typing this response i repeatly switched on and off the CAPS lock and about 7 clicks the keyboard locked up, i then needed to switch off and on again.

i also have noticed that APPLE have released an update for the keyboard already ** not if you are using BootCamp.

SaruK

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Answer 9

Altirus Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 10, 2007 10:01 PM in response to Saruwatari.Kaito

Further testing seems to indicate that the keyboard is more problematic after my MBP has gone to sleep and woken up; turning the keyboard off and then back on again seems to solve SOME of the issues.

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Answer 10

John Lam

Level 1

0 points

Nov 17, 2007 2:22 AM in response to Altirus

Go to your keyboard setting and set the first option to long.
you wil see that the caps lock works better

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Answer 11

moyomoy

Level 1

4 points

Dec 3, 2007 9:21 AM in response to Altirus

If you have Universal Access enabled, turn off the option "Mouse Keys", under the Mouse & Trackpad section, this will solve your problem.

It worked for me!

Regards

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Answer 12

Joox

Level 1

0 points

Dec 6, 2007 8:33 PM in response to Altirus

I am having very similar problems with my wireless aluminum keyboard. Here they are:

1. Apple messed up the Caps Lock key! It now requires a longer press to activate. This is an enormous pain to the many people who actually use the Caps lock key. We may be a minority but I know I am not alone here. I have had to go back a number of times to correct the case in this paragraph. PLEASE add this as an OPTION, not a feature Apple!

2. There do appear to be some issues with the caps lock key light. I've had it sometimes on for hours, and sometimes it would not come on at all. I've noticed that this seems to change when I put the computer to sleep and wake it back up. it hasn't happened enough to drive me crazy, but it certainly happens.

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Answer 13

tjosal

Level 1

0 points

Feb 10, 2008 9:16 PM in response to Altirus

My caps lock key has a mind of its own also. Seems almost random on when it will decide to work, and the light rarely comes on anymore. Tried some of the ideas here - no dice. Finally took the batteries out, waited a few seconds, and put 'em back in. Good to go.
How long before it starts messing up again?

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Answer 14

dreish

Level 1

0 points

Feb 15, 2008 9:28 AM in response to Joox

My theory is that, because people have observed that the new keyboard doesn't impose a delay on shutting off Caps Lock, if there's some way in software to get the Caps Lock light to stay on, maybe this tap-delay issue will go away.

Does that sound feasible to any OS X hackers out there?

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Answer 15

Feb 20, 2008 12:07 AM in response to Altirus

LOVE my new Apple Bluetooth Keyboard, so sexy!

HATE the capslock key!

*I mean I seriously thought my keyboard was broken*, and I just decided to google™ the topic, and then I discovered this post. I cant believe that Apple would think it wise to put in a delay on the capslock key. I basically need to re-learn how to type, now using the SHIFT key instead of the CAPSLOCK key.

STUPID!

Please if anyone evers finds a solution or hack to the problem - please post it.

Thanks for sharing.

: )

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