Spacebar and Delete keys not working on IMac

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Level 1

8 points

Spacebar and Delete keys not working on IMac

Hi, I have an old (later 2009) iMac on OS10.11.6. Recently it's USB wired apple extended keyboard 'Spacebar and 'delete' keys stopped working. I swapped it to an Apple Wireless keyboard, and the same two keys dont work on that either.

I can test and use the wired apple keyboard on a windows PC and it works fine. I can't test the wireless keyboard on a PC ( I don't think that's possible without some sort of dongle).

Point is, the wired keyboard works fine on a PC, but not on the Mac it''s been connected to for years.

I then tested the iMac by connecting a generic microsoft keyboard. It aksed for calibration, (keys right and left of the shift keys, but it works fine.

So I have 2 apple keyboards with the same symptom on an iMac, but onme at least tests fine on a PC.

Any advice? Updating the OS seems the only step, but with very poor internet that's a drastic step.

Thank you

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on May 14, 2019 1:58 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

May 14, 2019 3:00 AM in response to davidwal124

You could try resetting the SMC How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

and NVRAM Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Try booting into safe mode Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

davidwal124 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 14, 2019 4:11 PM in response to SeaPapp

Hi Mike,

Thanks for Reply:

I have already reset the Pram several times. I can't open in safe mode as that requires the original password and user name for this ( my wifes) imac - long forgotten. Any clues on overcoming that issue gladly received.

I have not tried resetting the SMC (which sounds like simply shutting down, remove the power cord, wait a while and restart), and I will do that this evening. In reading how to do this I see that one of the symptoms is that the fans run hard for no reason, and this Imac has had that issue for 10 years....

If resetting the SMC works, does it follow that there is a battery inside a desktop imac? There used to be in old school macs. It was relatively easy to access in an old mac, but an imac looks pretty well sealed up.....

I'll let you know if resetting the SMC works. Thanks

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Answer 3

davidwal124 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 14, 2019 7:04 PM in response to SeaPapp

I see... so fingers crossed the resetting the SMC has an impact, but eventually I guess ( at 10 years old)... it's going to be a case of finding out the labour cost to replace a battery vs the cost of a new computer. Hmmm Thanks for the advice.

This imac has spent the majority of it's life plugged in and on power, but I expect the batteries have a lifespan regardless.

Thanks very much for you advice!

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Answer 4

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

May 14, 2019 4:39 PM in response to davidwal124

There is a battery but on a late 2009 27” iMac it's on the backside of the logic board, VERY difficult to replace.

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Spacebar and Delete keys not working on IMac

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