Letters are repeated when I am writing

I just replaced my Apple keyboard with an iKey Slim on my G5. I am now having this problem. Macally doesn't seem to have very new drivers for this keyboard, so I assumed that was the problem. It doesn't do it all the time, or with the same keys... For me, it's commas and spaces that repeat. Also, the media keys are inactive. The eject, volume up, and volume down keys do nothing. Otherwise, I like the keyboard... I just need it to work.

Well I have the same keyboard on my Core Duo iMac with no repeating. I didn't install any drivers for it - just plugged it in an started using it. At first the iMac put up a dialog that it didn't recognize the keyboard but it directed me to press a couple of specific keys and click on another choice and then it was good to go.

I do have a problem with the left shift key occasionally not recognizing it is pressed and will likely deal with that under warranty.

But if you are only getting certain keys repeating (rather than any key doing it) than it is probably just a defective keyboard and you should pursue it under warranty. Note that these are very inexpensive keyboards (compared to some) so getting the occasional bad one isn't unexpected.

The low cost of that keyboard doesn't make me more willing to overlook quality issues. Having said that, I re-ran the combo update for 10.4.8, and for now the problem with repeating keys seems to be corrected. The non-functioning media keys are still useless, but at least I can type normally.

I had the repeating character problem today for the first time on my new iMac which has a wireless keyboard. It did it for while then stopped. It would continue repeating--sometimes 10 times on one key even if I lifted my finger. I'm running 10.4.8. I'll keep the forum posted if it happens again.

iMac Mac OS X (10.4.8)

tree fort,
Welcome to Discussions!

This will occasionally happen with a Mac's wireless keyboard, and is not the same issue as the rest of this thread. As mentioned by member "David.Austin.Allen" it may be a sign that the batteries are getting low.

My Imac is about 2 months old, and I've been having the repeating key problem continuously for the whole period. I've replaced the keyboard once, but it's just as bad as the first one, though different keys now repeat. I don't want to buy a new keyboard (yet) because it seems to me that Apple ought to fix this. Has anybody identified yet what the real problem is, and how to fix it? I've tried all the USB ports, done all the updates, etc.

I made the switch from PC to Mac, and love the IMac in every other way, but this problem is driving me nuts.

Thanks,
Onno

Welcome to Discussions, Onno!

There is nothing wrong with the keyboards. They do not repeat. It will do no good to buy more new keyboards, as they will ALL do it. The issue originates with an inadvertent preference setting you have made inside your iMac's OS.

Open System Preferences to the "Keyboard & Mouse" panel. On its menu bar, click "Keyboard" and then click on the purple circle question mark in the lower right hand corner. Mac Help should then show you the answer to: "Characters repeat too fast or slow"

If that does not resolve the issue, you can search around for it, or instead first do a PRAM reset, which might solve your problem.

To reset the PRAM:
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following four keys on the keyboard: Command (Apple logo), option, P, and R. You will need to hold these four keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Start up the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination after the startup chord sounds, but before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold all four keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup chord for the second time.
6. Release the keys.

I think there IS something wrong with the keyboards. I've turned off the repeat function in the keyboard preferences, and the problem still occurs. And it only occurs with certain letters. And this has never occured to me on any other computer I've owned. With the two keyboards I've now had from Apple, different keys repeat. All this seems to suggest to me that the keyboard is the culprit.

Could you explain what PRAM is, and why I should reset it?

Many thanks,
Onno

I am amazed that this problem is still occurring after more than a year of complaints (mine started in early Feb. 2006 on my 20" core duo iMac).

(see http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=356632&tstart=0)

As I have said previously, replacing the keyboard with a macally keyboard removed this problem completely and I was considering getting my original Apple keyboard replaced again under Applecare, (just as insurance in case the macally keyboard ever dies) but if this is still going on with the Apple keyboards, it doesn't sound like there is much point.

Thanks for the link. It's somewhat of a relief to see that I'm not alone, though it's also amazing that there is still no fix for the problem other than buying a new non-Apple keyboard. It's pretty fundamental for a computer to have a functioning keyboard!
Onno

"the problem still occurs"

Have you checked the Universal Access panel of System Preferences?

Have you performed disk repair?

If none of those help, and the PRAM reset does not help, I would erase the hard drive, write zeroes to it, and then reinstall the OS. If it still happened then, you'd be in a position to have Apple repair or replace the computer. Otherwise, you'll be like the others, sitting around and complaining. Your choice:)

Your suggested course of action is a little like burning down the house to fix a problem of peeling paint. I hope that Apple won't be quite so draconian.

Onno

"I hope that Apple won't be quite so draconian."

Why would they be? You have already stated what you expect of Apple, and it is not rational, logical or reasonable - the same as your complaint and your response to offers of help.

This will apparently not slow you from needlessly replacing a perfectly fine keyboard yet again.

LOL Preposterous:))

How is it not reasonable to expect a keyboard of a brand new computer to work properly? Why should I completely erase my hard-drive and reinstall all software in an unlikely attempt to fix what would seem to be a simple (and common) problem? If I buy a brand new car in which the lights don't work, for instance, should it be up to me to test all the bulbs, the battery, the fuse box, before I go to the manufacturer and ask them to fix it?

Perhaps before you call me illogical you could explain why the evidence I've provided does not prove that the problem is with the keyboards. You seem good at pronouncing; you're not so good at explaining.