Keyboard reset to only type out strange character

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Level 1

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Keyboard reset to only type out strange character

It seems that my keyboard has somehow been reset. I pushed a lot of the keyboard at once and must have made it so only certain symbols and certain keys are typing. Symbols include ©, §, ®, °, £, Å, ß etc... I checked my international settings and its still on US english. Please help, I can't type anything on my computer.

Thank you!

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Jul 6, 2008 7:41 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 6, 2008 8:05 PM in response to calermonit

Maybe one of the Option keys is stuck. Also check the "Keyboard" tab in "Universal Access" system preference for "Sticky Keys".

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Answer 2

dechamp

Level 4

3,495 points

Jul 6, 2008 11:18 PM in response to calermonit

Seems like an easy test would be to plug in another usb keyboard and see if the problem is the OS or the keyboard.

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Answer 3

calermonit Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 7, 2008 7:29 PM in response to calermonit

It seems that now my computer has turned into another weird mode - the "backspace" (or delete) key has become the equivalent of a windows delete key (as in it erases from the front, not the back), my up/down arrows scroll all the way down instead of only scrolling a little, and my function keys have totally changed function - for example, F11, which is usually sound down is now making all the windows hide and go to the desktop! What is going on?? I checked universal access and languages. they all seem normal. is there a way I can reset?

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Answer 4

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,216 points

Jul 7, 2008 8:16 PM in response to calermonit

If you are still typing the symbols described in your first post, that would seem to indicate that your Option/Alt key is permanently stuck in the down position.

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Answer 5

Jul 21, 2008 10:42 AM in response to calermonit

One of the Macs at work is doing this exact same thing. Booting in Safe Mode eliminates the issue. So something within the system or system preferences is causing this. But I don't know what it could be.

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