Letters are repeated when I am writing

I thought I'd give this thread a 'bump' as I am still experiencing this problem. I have changed keyboards, using an older keyboard that works perfectly on other Macs, but thee problem remains.



imac duo Mac OS X (10.4.7) USB keyboard

This looks like the right place to post my problem with repeating letterrs on my imac.

I've spent 4+ hours on separate occasionns with apple care, and have gone thru 3 keyboards (all mac boards) and the problem is still extremely annoying. Here's what I cann offer to the forum, hopefully we can solve this together. (though it would be nice if Apple could nail this issue)

This is a hardware issue. Why do I say that?

1) This is my third keyboard. All of them have repeated. Keep reading.

2) Keyboard repeat is set to off and no change. (though I've tried everry settinng). I've tried every USB port and no change.

3) When you reboot by holding apple-s, you gett a black screen with white text. Guess what? Typing in that mode STILL repeats letters. That wouuld seem to eliminnate thhe theory that this is caused by software.

4) Here's the MOST useful insight I have for you: While talking to a very friendly Apple service rep based inn their Austin office via speaker phone, he asked me if I had a HEAVY typinng hand? I do indeed. He also confessed that he had the very same problem on the apple keyboard, and that he also has a heavy-ish typing hand.

5) I've been a computer user for 20 years. Apple, Pc, you nname it. I am a pretty good touch typist. I type a lot. The only typing errors I make are hitting the worng letter at times. In these 20+ years, I have NEVER had this keyboard repeat issue happen before.

6) Oh yes -- my wife also gets the same prroblem with the imac keyboards.

So an open letter to Steve Jobs:

Steve: Love your Imac -- mmostly! But the keyboard lettters repeat all by themselves. A lot. This is my 3rd keyboard and they all share the same problem. I suspect there are a lot of people facing this problem (indeed, one of your tech support staff in the Austin office has the same problem annd told me it cann't be fixed!).

The thing that distinguishes the Mac from the PC is the Interface and the Simple Elegance. But the mostt low-tech part of the machine, the keyboard, is not up to yyour usual stellar standards. So my experience on the imac is pretty painnful now. PLEASE HELP.

Amen!
I am on my second keyboard and I am having the same problem. It did not occur on my iBoook nor does it happen on my iMac, only on my powerbookk. It is extremely annoying. I find it happens more on some occasions than others. It happens to my girlfriend when she uses my computer as well. Pease help.

stuart

you'd think that Apple would have this sorted by nnow. My imac has the same keyboard demonns and as you can see, it's pretty annoying.

russellt

Great summary of the problem and the steps you have gone through to isolate this. As I have posted on this forum many times in the past, I HAD this same problem and went through many of the same steps. Unlike you I only went through 2 Apple keyboards and talked to Apple support also, before giving up in frustration. In case any of you have missed my solution previously, I bought a macally iKEY SLIM keyboard. It is white to match the original, has all the special keys like volume, and eject, (but on 15 function keys, not 16) and also comes with a nice mouse with a larger scroll wheel which I prefer. It was very cheap (Canadian $57 after taxes) and while it is a shame to have to spend more to fix what should just work, for me, the solution to this aggravation has been well worth it. It simply DOESN'T repeat key strokes unintentionally.

Eureka! the mystery of the repeating keys is solved. I bought a macally brand 'ikey slim' keyboard (very low price) and no more double letters!!!

Also -- I got a call from STEVE JOBS office saying they 'hear me' about the keyboard issue and that their tech folks are all over it now. VERY impressive, Apple!

- a lifetime convert (aka R Stauffer)

Also -- I got a call from STEVE JOBS office saying
they 'hear me' about the keyboard issue and that
their tech folks are all over it now.

Wow, that is an interesting development. I wonder if (assuming they find a solution) they will go back through open problem reports and contact the users who lodged them and were given vague things to try as a solution. Time to dig out my old problem report number and revisit them.

Add another baffled user. Tried all of the suggestions (keyboard etc.) My problem is ONLY in Classic and ONLY in MacMoney. But this is the only Classic program I have left. This strongly suggests a software problem. A soon-to-be-fixed one I hope.

It's not like a Mac to be this cantankerous!

Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.7)

It has me stumped too. I find it occurs in all the programs I have used so far. It manifests itself nearly every time I type my emmail address (yep, it's got an m in it!) and I also find that I have to ennter my password by hennpecking rather than touch typing to avoid errors there.

Great machine, great programs. But what is the story with this keyboard??

I have this problem too as well as a space bar problem. I've tried many different keyboards and have begun speaking with Apple as well. I think it's unbelievable that they are basically doing nothing about this. It happens on two computers that I have and I'm beginning to think it has something to do with the upgraded operating system but who knows. Can we start a revolt. I've looked up this thread and it appears over and over again, yet when the man from Apple called me after I wrote a letter to Steve Jobs he knew nothing about it, now he tells me that the tech team wants samples of the problem. How about looking on their own website?
Any real solutions? I have ordered the slim Macally keyboard but don't hold out any real hope.

Add me to the list. It doesn't happen with my Mini or my Macbook Pro, bbut this iMac keeps doing it. Driving me nuts!



iMac 17" Mac OS X (10.4.8) iMac, Mini, and Macbook Pro

Also, just bought a nnew keyboard, and its still doing it!

Ugh...

It sounds to me as though the keys on some of the Apple keyboards do not make a good solid switching contact. If that is the case the contacts are intermittent and make two or three instead of one. It could also be because of dust building up under the rubber membrane.

I have a Matias TactilePro keyboard here that has the old-fashioned Alps switches. They make very audible clackity-clack sounds that can drive people around me nuts, but the key presses are very positive and make firm contact (not the rubbery overcooked oatmeal feeling of most modern keyboards). I love it.

Griff

I don't think its the keyboards that are the problem. This same keyboard works great with my Mini and MBP. I think this is a prob with the iMac...

Its not just on the imac, as My G5 2.7 Dual does the exact same thing. Not all the time but its really annoying having to go back and correct every post or email for double typed letters.

I have also tried turning key repeat to completely off and it has made no difference. Ironically the fist time that I have posted about this in this forum, the keyboard has not repeated once. (but it does do it lol)