I am experiencing phantom keystrokes

Hi All,


I am experiencing repeated keystrokes without touching the keyboard. I get multiple \ keying in firefox and other applications. Help!

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Jul 1, 2013 6:32 PM

Reply
5 replies

Jul 4, 2013 6:31 AM in response to fjb182mecom

Hello fjb182mecom,


I recommend resetting your SMC and your PRAM.


Resetting the SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own

Note: Portable computers that have a battery you should not remove on your own include MacBook Pro (Early 2009) and later, all models of MacBook Air, and MacBook (Late 2009).

  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
  3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
  4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
  5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
    Note
    : The LED on the MagSafe power adapter may change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

From: Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964


And for the PRAM


  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
  3. Turn on the computer.
  4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
  5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
  6. Release the keys.

After resetting NVRAM or PRAM, you may need to reconfigure your settings for speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, and time zone information. If issues persist, your Mac's logic board battery (not a portable Mac's rechargeable battery) may need to be replaced. The logic board battery helps retain NVRAM/PRAM settings when your computer is shut down. You can take your Mac to a Mac Genius or Apple Authorized Service Provider to replace the battery on the logic board.

From: About NVRAM and PRAM

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379



All the best,

Sterling

Jul 4, 2013 1:24 PM in response to fjb182mecom

Hi Sterling,


Sadly, resetting the SMC and PRAM didn't help. I have an appointment at the Genius Bar. I should have given you more details the first time around. The \ shows up across applications. I may get several strokes or dozens and then it stops. There is a low tone as each stroke hits. The cursor blinks when the strokes occur.


I tried cleanng under the \ key with compressed air but this doesn't feel like a hardware problem and the compressed air didn't work. I would welcome any other things I can try.


Best,


Joe

Oct 22, 2013 1:00 PM in response to fjb182mecom

Hi Antknee 518,


I kind of solved the problem but I don't exactly know how. I was experiencing this problem only at a friend's house. Once I left there it did not happen at all. Once I realized this I cancelled my appointment at the genuis bar.


So, it could have been something to do with his wi-fi setup or perhaps a bluetooth speaker he was using. Something that only happens in a differnet physical location is hard to tie down but the keystrokes are completely gone for me. I suggest you turn off you wi-fi access point and all bluetooth devices (phones too) and see if that stops this.


Good Luck!

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I am experiencing phantom keystrokes

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