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how to scroll lock on a mac

Looking to upgrade my mac and was wondering if the new mac book pros have the capability to scroll lock. I need this feature for programs I use at home for work. Thanks I know it's a silly question but it is not easy possible to do on my older macbook.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 11, 2011 2:13 PM

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Posted on Apr 6, 2012 2:09 PM

That is not scroll lock.

Scroll lock refers to scrolling in application windows without constantly having to use the scroll wheel or trackpad scroll gesture.

7 replies

Jul 11, 2011 2:28 PM in response to cyndycapecod

The new MBPs have the same keyboard layout as previous models. Apple computers don't use a "scroll lock" key so the scroll lock function would depend on the app(s) you're using. If your profile info is up-to-date and you are using a Macbook, how are you doing scroll lock now? If you are able to "scroll lock" now on your current Mac, then it would be the same procedure or key combination on the new MBPs.

Jul 11, 2011 6:59 PM in response to cyndycapecod

Not to worry about computer savvy. I'm just sympathetic to anyone that has to cross the Mac-PC bridge regularly. This type of remote access has been what I've specialized in for around 15 years. And because I'm one of the few Mac guys at work, when we have a client with a Mac, I'm usually the one that has to oversee that end of the project.


And no, I'm not in Mass. I'm a few time zones away in Hawaii. While I wouldn't mind visiting the rest of the USA, I can't imagine living anywhere else anymore. I did live in Phoenix AZ when going to college, but of course, that is no comparison to Cape Cod. 🙂

Jul 11, 2011 3:15 PM in response to Asatoran

I can't scroll lock on my current MacBook now that is the problem. I don't have a F14 key which seems to be the key people suggest to try or the F12 +alt+function. I even purchased an external full keyboard hoping this would work but to no avail. I'd hate to purchase a PC to do work from home but I may have to.

I'm not using "apps" I am logging in remotely from home to my work PC using GoToMyPC from there I can access any program that is on my work PC.

Thanks

Jul 11, 2011 5:53 PM in response to cyndycapecod

cyndycapecod wrote:


I can't scroll lock on my current MacBook now that is the problem. I don't have a F14 key which seems to be the key people suggest to try or the F12 +alt+function. I even purchased an external full keyboard hoping this would work but to no avail.

The catch is that OSX will intercept the function keys and use them for itself. Make sure you don't have anything using F14. Either in System Preferences, or any other third party add-ons that give mouse or keyboard shortcuts or extras.


Since Macs don't use Scroll Lock, this is why I mention it's up to the app to give you a scroll lock.

...I'd hate to purchase a PC to do work from home but I may have to.

I'm not using "apps" I am logging in remotely from home to my work PC using GoToMyPC from there I can access any program that is on my work PC.

Thanks

In your case the "app" is GoToMyPC. See if GoToMyPC has a option to "send key". I use LogMeIn, which has a send ctrl-alt-del, but not send Scroll Lock. Hopefully GoToMyPC does, which would be best in your situation.


Otherwise there are only two ways I know of to do what you want from within OSX:


  1. Use Windows' onscreen keyboard on the office computer. (Start, All Programs, Accessories, Accessibility. Different versions of Windows may have it in slightly different locations.) With a large screen on a desktop, this may be acceptable. (On LogMeIn, I can have the host screen "fit" or zoomed in to my remote screen's size, which makes the onscreen keyboard usable for me.)
  2. Microsoft Remote Desktop. The Mac app for Remote Desktop Connection (sometimes known as Remote Desktop Protocol or Terminal Services) has an option that you can map keys. I verified that Scroll Lock is possible. Due to the limited number of keys on the Macbooks, you'll have to find something that's not in use by either OSX or Windows. (For example, in the test, I used Shift-F12 for Scroll Lock.)


The catch with 2) is that you'll need to be able to configure port forwarding on your company's firewall, or preferably have a VPN. While a VPN is more complex to setup, IMHO a VPN is necessary because of some vulnerabilities discovered with the older version of the protocol, which the Mac client still uses.


The only other option would be not running OSX when connecting to the office. Note, this does not necessarily mean getting a PC. You could install Windows in Boot Camp. You'd still have the problem of no actual Scroll Lock key on the Mac, but since OSX is not running, any full sized keyboard plugged into the Mac would then send the F14/Scroll Lock key correctly to the office computer. (Or running Windows in a virtual machine, but there are limitations with that as well, although the VM is more convenient in that you don't have to boot "out of" OSX like you would with Boot Camp.)

how to scroll lock on a mac

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