hi - there are times when i like to hold a single key down on my keyboard to repeat the letter. but on my new macbook pro (13 inch, late 2011), it won't let me do that. and i've looked at system preferences and set all the settings to where i would think i could repeat letter by holding down a key, but to no avail. anyone who can help out there? thanks so much!
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.7)
My guess is when you hold down the key it either doesn't repeat, or it shows accented versions of the letter (try holding down e, u, or other letters). This is useful for individuals who write other languages (I write in French occasionally), but I'm not sure why it's the default, but then again, repeating keys isn't that useful these days. Here's the fix:
That should solve your problem. If you need to reenable the feature, just type or copy and paste defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool true.
My guess is when you hold down the key it either doesn't repeat, or it shows accented versions of the letter (try holding down e, u, or other letters). This is useful for individuals who write other languages (I write in French occasionally), but I'm not sure why it's the default, but then again, repeating keys isn't that useful these days. Here's the fix:
That should solve your problem. If you need to reenable the feature, just type or copy and paste defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool true.
SYSTEM PREFERENCES>KEYBOARD>KEYBOARD SHORT CUTS>DELAY UNTIL REPEAT. Where do you have the slider set? Slide it to the right and it should work. Also check the 'Key Repeat Rate'. Slide that to the right as well.
Using both of those sliders you should be able to strike a balance that suits you individual preferences.
Ciao.
For any other users who discover the same problem (as I did last week, finally upgrading from Snow Leopard to Mavericks) - OrangeMarlin's Terminal solution above is the way to go.
It's a seriously poor default that Apple have set; I've used computers of one sort or another since 1985 and ALL have had the ability to repeat a keystroke by simply holding the key down. Fancy linguistic variations are all very well, but with Macs there has always been the Option key to accent letters in various ways. "If it ain't broke..."
brianfrommissoula wrote:
new macbook pro (13 inch, late 2011)
I'm sorry, there's something I don't quite follow. You say "late 2011", your profile says "Mac OS X (10.6.7)". Either one or the other surely must be wrong.
OrangeMarlin recommending using Terminal!!!!??? Ooh, a pig just flew past my window! 😁
Resetting the PRAM may prove to be useful.
Ciao.
i can't get my keyboard keys to repeat letters when i hold them down. any thoughts?
