Keyboard is typing numbers in front of certain letters

Here's what's happening when I type the following letters:

i has an 8 in front

e has a 3

o has a 9

q has a 1

w has a 2

y has a 6



these are the only letters I'm having trouble with. Is there a technical answer for that in settings somewhere?

MacBook Pro, iOS 7.1.2

Posted on Jul 19, 2014 5:39 PM

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Posted on Jul 19, 2014 5:54 PM

1 2 3 - - 6 - 8 9

Q W E R T Y U I O P


Since each of those keys is picking up the numeral from the row above, but same column, I would guess this is a keyboard hardware problem. Did you have a liquid spill or some other kind of keyboard distress recently?

7 replies

Jul 19, 2014 5:42 PM in response to Salsadancerx

Please read this whole message before doing anything.


This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.


Step 1


The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.


Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”


While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.


Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?


After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.


*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.


Step 2


The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.


Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.

Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.


Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.


The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.


Test while in safe mode. Same problem?


After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

Jul 20, 2014 6:30 AM in response to Salsadancerx

can you please tell me how to log in as a guest?

The instructions are linked to my earlier comment, but if you can't log in, there's no point in doing it.

Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

Back up all data on the internal drive(s) before you hand over your computer to anyone. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional—ask if you need guidance.

If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.

Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair

Apple also recommends that you deauthorize a device in the iTunes Store before having it serviced.

*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

Jul 20, 2014 10:40 AM in response to Linc Davis

Results:

in searching for a log in bypass and found one, I inadvertently wiped my computer. I'm okay with that considering I do have a backup. In the meantime, the key problem is still occurring.

I'd also like to mention that I remember just prior to the key problem happening I somehow did something that caused a keyboard box to pop up in which I closed. I'm not certain how that happened but think that maybe it was at that time I started experiencing this key problem.

However, considering that my computer was completely wiped, wouldn't any changes made prior be gone and everything set back to "default" settings?

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Keyboard is typing numbers in front of certain letters

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