Apple Keyboard: Tab, Caps Lock, Tilde and Esc not working.

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Apple Keyboard: Tab, Caps Lock, Tilde and Esc not working.

Yesterday I turned on my mac and was filling out some form and discovered whilst trying to go the next field that my tab button wasn't working. My tilde, esc and caps lock buttons won't work either (light comes on when I start up and pull out and plug keyboard back into USB port). It's strange that they're all tucked up in that left hand corner.

Has anyone else come across the problem or have any thoughts about curing the problem?

Cheers,
Mike

iMac G5 2.1GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jul 6, 2008 4:24 AM

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Answer 1

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Jul 6, 2008 5:33 AM in response to mikeyee81

Welcome to Discussions. Go to System Preferences>Universal Access and see whether you have inadvertently dedicated those keys to some other use. It could also be the some liquid got in under them and did some damage. Which keyboard is it, the Pro or the aluminum one? What model iMac do you have and have you tried to reset the PRAM?

Please let us know results,

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Answer 2

mikeyee81 Author

Level 1

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Jul 13, 2008 5:46 AM in response to MGW

Hi Miriam,
It's the white and clear Pro keyboard. I've tried restarting the PRAM with no luck. Also had a look at universal acess and doesn't look like those keys are assigned to anything else.
I'm not aware of any liquid damage (i try not to eat or drink around my mac:)). I've got the last version of the G5 imac 2.1Ghz.
It's all very strange.

Thanks for answering so promptly.

Cheers,
Mike

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Answer 3

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Jul 13, 2008 7:58 AM in response to mikeyee81

Try going to your Library>Preferences>com.apple.keycaps.plist and removing it. Restart and see if that helps.

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Answer 4

Jul 13, 2008 10:34 AM in response to mikeyee81

If MGW's suggestions do not work, then check out the following as your keyboard may be dirty:

Disassemble a Apple Pro (transparent) keyboard to clean it

http://technology.niagarac.on.ca/people/bgracey/prokeyboardrepair.html

http://www.tuaw.com/2006/11/17/how-to-clean-your-apple-keyboard/

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/367670/cleaningthe_apple_pro_keyboardremove.html?cat=59

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Answer 5

Aug 5, 2008 9:26 PM in response to mikeyee81

I am having the same problem with a used eMac i recently acquired. All works well except caps lock, tab and tilde keys are dead. This machine is running 10.3.9, for what that is worth.

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