CTRL-CMD-D Dictionary shortcut doesn't work on new Late 2007 MacBook?

Question

Level 1

8 points

CTRL-CMD-D Dictionary shortcut doesn't work on new Late 2007 MacBook?

OK, the problem is, I use this Ctrl-Cmd-D feature ALL the time on my Macs, whether for Thesaurus or Dictionary. I have a 12" iBook with Tiger and an ('06) MacBook, and I just upgraded my iBook to a late 2007 model MB.

This dictionary panel has not worked at all on the new computer... right out of the box. It is set in the Keyboard Shortcuts preferences, but no go. I've even changed the key association several times, and it still doesn't work in any application. Every other shortcut in the list works fine.

It's a very strange anomaly, and it's the only misgiving I have had yet with this computer. I'm prepared to either reinstall Leopard or send this MacBook back... not necessarily because the lack of the dictionary is so important, but also out of principle: this SHOULD work. Any ideas what the problem could be?

13" Late 2007 MacBook; 2.2 GHz C2D, 250 GB, 2 GB, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Nov 14, 2007 12:38 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 15, 2007 2:28 PM in response to Voyager-89

It sounds like the dictionary files are missing. A reinstall of Leopard from the restore discs should take care of the problem.

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Answer 2

Voyager-89 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2007 10:48 PM in response to Holland Rhodes

But the Dictionary application is working just fine. It's just the CTRL-CMD-D that doesn't work.

I forgot to mention, I can even use the panel... I just have to right click on a word and click "look up in dictionary" after I set the dictionary preferences to use a panel instead of the standalone app.

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Answer 3

Nov 19, 2007 3:41 PM in response to Voyager-89

I have exactly the same problem. I run leopard on a brand new (got it last week) MacBook with a fresh OS install. I run an english OS on a MacBook with a swedish keyboard layout tho... I wonder if it might have something to with that... just a thought...

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Answer 4

Khephir

Level 1

9 points

Nov 20, 2007 10:59 PM in response to Peter Erikson

I've got the same problem... English keyboard... Macbook 2.2... dictionary shortcut does not work...

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Answer 5

Nov 21, 2007 7:47 PM in response to Voyager-89

this function has never really worked for me. it works sometimes, but not on a regular basis by any means. i've been meaning to call apple about it, but it's such a minor issue, and i use quicksilver now, which has a dictionary function that is nearly as fast as apple's method. i have had a powerbook with panther, tiger, then leopard installed and an imac core duo with tiger and then leopard installed, and it has never worked all that well for me. if it's worth anything, highlighting the word, right clicking, and selecting the dictionary function works every time. or you could always get quicksilver, which i recommend anyway.

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Answer 6

Voyager-89 Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 13, 2007 4:57 PM in response to Voyager-89

bump

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Answer 7

First Magus

Level 7

21,309 points

Dec 13, 2007 6:35 PM in response to Voyager-89

That is odd. I have a core duo and when I place the cursor over a word and hit ⌘ ctrl D I get the mini Dictionary window. Can't imagine why it wouldn't be working on the new MacBook.

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Answer 8

Dec 20, 2007 6:52 AM in response to Voyager-89

I have the same problem. The cmd-ctrl-D doesn't bring out the dictionary panel on my new late-2007 MacBook.

I've a iMac G5 upgraded to Leopard and it works fine.

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Answer 9

Shooki

Level 1

0 points

Dec 21, 2007 1:29 PM in response to Cheng-Hong Li1

I posted a topic on this as well (didn't find this one until now).
my control commandd doesn't work, too. I have no clue why. Glad to know someone else have the same problem o_O

so I guess there is no solution on this matter at the moment?

hmm... I have to stuck with LiveDictionary for now...until it expires.

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Answer 10

Dec 22, 2007 8:02 AM in response to Shooki

It didn't work for my Late 2007 Macbook too. Anyone can help?

Cheers,
Austin

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Answer 11

Jan 4, 2008 4:37 PM in response to Voyager-89

Same problem here.
It worked perfectly on my last MacBook (intel, Tiger, later upgraded to Leopard.)
Just bought a brand new MacBook with Leopard preinstalled.Doesn't work. Bummer
Weird thing though: I had a problem with the character palette which I could solve following the instructions posted here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1257002&tstart=50. In included deleting four cache files. After deleting those files I also tried if the pop up dictionary would work and guess what? It did! But only three times or so. After that it stopped.
When I activate the keyboard viewer I can see that the 'd' isn't activated while hitting the cmc+ctrl.
Apple please look into this!! It's a very handy tool!
George

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Answer 12

GeorgeSB

Level 1

5 points

Jan 4, 2008 4:57 PM in response to Voyager-89

Found the solution. At least it works for me!!
Too weird though: you should first press cmd, then ctrl, then D
In the keyboard shortcut list it says: ctrl cmdD, but on my late 2007 MacBook that doesn't work.
But cmd ctrlD does.
See this thread:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=4697809#post4697809

George

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Answer 13

Voyager-89 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 4, 2008 5:48 PM in response to GeorgeSB

Well, I'm glad that seems to work for you, but changing the order of the modifiers in a key combination - across the board - should not affect its functionality. I've really tried everything to make it work short of digging through system files or reinstalling Leopard.

Hopefully if Apple knows about this bug, it just might be addressed in the upcoming 10.5.2 update. I really hope so.

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Answer 14

Voyager-89 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 4, 2008 5:58 PM in response to George Parker

OK, I followed the instructions on that page, restarted my MacBook, and voila! It works.

HOWEVER, even more oddly, it did indeed STOP working again after three times using it......... on the Administrator account.

On my own personal account, it works consistently. So, so strange.

To the others with this problem, I suggest you trash those cache files as per the instructions in the above post. Since I don't use the Administrator account for my everyday computing, the problem is - if only in practicality - fixed for me. Your mileage may vary.

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Answer 15

Jan 4, 2008 7:21 PM in response to Voyager-89

Well, upon reading this, I tried the key combination, and all that happened was that the input menu suddenly showed up on the menu bar.
So I checked my Keyboard System Preference pane and it indeed showed the combination. I opened Dictionary and checked the preference for the contextual menu.

Well, all that I can say is the if I press ctrl-cmnd-d or cmnd-ctrl-d then I get the Dictionary panel under the word that is selected. I have found in the last 5 minutes of exploring this command, that a word has to be highlighted for the key command to do anything. If no word is highlighted, either version of the key command does nothing. And the preference in Dictionary regarding the contextual menu only controls that, and seems to accurately do so. The key command always opens the panel below the highlighted word.

FWIW, my experience on a late 2007 MacBook with a fresh install of Leopard first thing after I unboxed it.

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