commnd key combinations not working

Bill,

Go to your ~Library/Preferences Folder and drag the com.apple.finder.plist to the Desktop and restart or logout/login.

;~)

Bill,

I have to disagree with Ferd II on this one (sorry, Ferd II). You see, he may not have noticed that your problem is occuring on a Powerbook.

I will bet my money on the chance that you have your "num lock" button activated. This is the dual-function "F6" key, atthe top of the keyboard and right in the center. With this button activated (there should be a very faint green-tinted light shining from under it when it is activated), the right side of your keyboard goes into "Number Pad" mode, and the command-key combinations that you mention are de-activated.

Simply press the "num lock" (F6) key once, then try the command-key combination again.

Scott

Scott,

Thanks for pointing out that nuance which I missed.

;~)

Ferd II,

Not a problem. Unless you actually use a Powerbook, there is really no way that you would know this. In fact, I went through the whole "what the heck is wrong with my keyboard" thing myself shortly after I began using my Powerbook. I remember it as being very disconcerting :-/ The OP's symptoms looked familiar to me, so I thought I would chime in.

Scott

Scott -
Maybe you can answer this question about Powerbook F keys.
My F keys USED to work such that F9 showed all windows, Contrl F2 went to the top menu, Control F3 went to the Dock.

Now - (**I'll say what happened in between then and now after this) - I need to add the fn key to the combination. This is neither preferred by me or shown in the Apple keyboard shortcut list...

I dont want to add the fn key. How can I change this back?

(**In between then and now, I sent my PBook back to Apple for a new top plate to solve trackpad overheating issue. The repair was complete and quick but I'm finding a lot of little annoying changes thru out.)

TIA your help.

Josh
g4, 15" Pbook, 10.4, 1gb ram.

Josh,

Yes, I can answer that question!

To switch the function keys to perform alternate functions:
Open System Preferences and click Keyboard & Mouse.
Click Keyboard, if necessary.
Select the "Use the F1-F12 keys to control software features" checkbox.

(BTW, I simply copied and pasted this from Apple Help after a search for "function." I knew that there was a way to change the behavior that you don't like, but I didn't remember what it was. Help can often be your friend)

Scott

Excellent!
Thank you - this was driving me crazy. I was searching the Help on Keyboard Commands and that deepened the frustration. This forum is where I get the best results.
Thanks
Josh