ctrl-c (& -x) stopped working in terminal

Question

Level 1

10 points

ctrl-c (& -x) stopped working in terminal

i've recently noticed that neither ctrl-c nor ctrl-d will stop (break) a running process anymore. what's more, this is happening on 2 different computers (iMac & MB Air), leading me to think it's some sort of iCloud sync thing, but i have no idea what it might be.

additionally, i cannot find any remotely obvious conflicts or differences between my computer & settings and my colleague's.

i ran stty -a and nothing untoward is mapped to these commands:

speed 9600 baud; 50 rows; 80 columns;

lflags: icanon isig iexten echo echoe -echok echoke -echonl echoctl

-echoprt -altwerase -noflsh -tostop -flusho pendin -nokerninfo

-extproc

iflags: -istrip icrnl -inlcr -igncr ixon -ixoff ixany imaxbel iutf8

-ignbrk brkint -inpck -ignpar -parmrk

oflags: opost onlcr -oxtabs -onocr -onlret

cflags: cread cs8 -parenb -parodd hupcl -clocal -cstopb -crtscts -dsrflow

-dtrflow -mdmbuf

cchars: discard = ^O; dsusp = ^Y; eof = ^D; eol = <undef>;

eol2 = <undef>; erase = ^?; intr = ^C; kill = ^U; lnext = ^V;

min = 1; quit = ^\; reprint = ^R; start = ^Q; status = ^T;

stop = ^S; susp = ^Z; time = 0; werase = ^W;

this is now officially driving me mad. any ideas?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)

Posted on Jun 16, 2015 1:59 PM

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Answer 1

cdhw

Level 4

3,594 points

Jun 16, 2015 2:49 PM in response to Candy Crane

Both work as expected (using bash) for me with a stock install of OS X 10.10.3.

Check that you don't them redefined in your

System Preferences... > Keyboard > Shortcuts

or have some third-party extension installed that is interfering with them.

C.

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Answer 2

Candy Crane Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 16, 2015 3:12 PM in response to cdhw

ACK! first, sorry i mistyped and cannot change the question now. it should've referencedctrl-Z not ctrl-x

i've checked that and any other obvious things.

i cannot recall installing anything new over the past couple weeks, but as i understand it, if there were something that had hijacked these commands, the stty -a would show this, but as you can see, it says that both Z & C are allocated to the correct commands (suspend & interrupt, respectively).

intr = ^C; susp = ^Z

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Answer 3

cdhw

Level 4

3,594 points

Jun 16, 2015 3:36 PM in response to Candy Crane

There are several layers of drivers and system software between your finger pressing a key and an event arriving at Terminal.app, or whatever you are using.

Try (a) creating another user account to see if that has the same problem and (b) rebooting in safe mode.

C.

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Answer 4

Candy Crane Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 16, 2015 4:39 PM in response to cdhw

but if this same situation is going on with two separate computers, wouldn't that negate the corrupted user theory?

i mean i'll give it a whirl, because i've done all but that, but ...

note: the MB Air was set up from scratch, not from any backup of the other.

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Answer 5

cdhw

Level 4

3,594 points

Jun 16, 2015 5:35 PM in response to Candy Crane

but if this same situation is going on with two separate computers, wouldn't that negate the corrupted user theory?

Nope, that just tells us that a 'hardware issue' unlikely. I've tried several OS X 10.10.3 installations that you haven't touched and all of them have ctrl-C ctrl-Z commands working in Terminal.app in the conventional way. I think that you are mistakenly assuming that the problem is the operating system, not something you've installed or done.

Try running EtreCheck and posting the results here so we can see if you have any extensions installed that code be intercepting keyevents before they get to Terminal.app

C.

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Answer 6

BobHarris

Level 9

56,777 points

Jun 16, 2015 5:59 PM in response to Candy Crane

Is it "Any" command, or is it a specific script or program that is not honoring Control-C and Control-Z ?

A program can specify it wants to ignore signals. Scripts can use the 'trap' command to ignore signals.

So if it is a specific script or program it may be that the program or script has told the signal handler to ignore those signals.

Do you have a hotkey utility that has globally remapped Control-C and Control-Z (or installed a utility that has taken control of Control-C and Control-Z)

Have you tried an alternate terminal emulator, such as iTerm

<http://www.iterm2.com/>

If you boot into Safe Mode, does Control-C and Control-Z still fail?

<http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564>

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Answer 7

Candy Crane Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2015 11:38 AM in response to BobHarris

First, yes, both commands work as expected in safe mode on laptop. going to try on iMac now. back soon.

Second, Etrecheck (this from iMac):

EtreCheck version: 2.2 (132)

Report generated 6/17/15, 11:36 AM

Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck

Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.

Hardware Information: ℹ️

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) (Technical Specifications)

iMac - model: iMac13,2

1 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

24 GB RAM Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM1

8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Video Information: ℹ️

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M - VRAM: 512 MB

iMac 2048 x 1152

System Software: ℹ️

OS X 10.10.3 (14D136) - Time since boot: 11 days 20:2:28

Disk Information: ℹ️

APPLE HDD ST1000DM003 disk0 : (1 TB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

HAL4 (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (556.30 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

USB Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub

Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Configuration files: ℹ️

/etc/hosts - Count: 29

Gatekeeper: ℹ️

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

/Applications/Parallels Desktop.app

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.hidhook (9.0 23062.920702) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.hypervisor (9.0 23062.920702) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.netbridge (9.0 23062.920702) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.usbconnect (9.0 23062.920702) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.vnic (9.0 23062.920702) [Click for support]

/Incompatible Software/Parallels Access.app

[not loaded] com.parallels.virtualsound (1.0 18 - SDK 10.6) [Click for support]

/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.equinux.VPNTracker7 (7.0.0 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchAfaTech (1.1) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchCinergy450 (1.1) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchCinergyXS (1.1) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchEmpia (1.1) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchVoyager (1.1) [Click for support]

[loaded] net.telestream.driver.TelestreamAudio (1.1.0 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]

Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️

[killed] com.apple.CallHistoryPluginHelper.plist

[killed] com.apple.CallHistorySyncHelper.plist

[killed] com.apple.installd.user.plist

[killed] com.apple.nsurlsessiond.plist

[killed] com.apple.SafariCloudHistoryPushAgent.plist

[killed] com.apple.SafariNotificationAgent.plist

[killed] com.apple.xpc.loginitemregisterd.plist

7 processes killed due to memory pressure

Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[killed] com.apple.ctkd.plist

[killed] com.apple.emond.aslmanager.plist

[killed] com.apple.ifdreader.plist

[killed] com.apple.periodic-monthly.plist

[killed] com.apple.periodic-weekly.plist

[killed] com.apple.wdhelper.plist

[killed] com.apple.xpc.smd.plist

7 processes killed due to memory pressure

Launch Agents: ℹ️

[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]

[unknown] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.rosettastone.rosettastonedaemon.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist [Click for support]

Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[running] com.adobe.adobeupdatedaemon.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.equinux.VPNTracker7.agent.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]

[unknown] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.prosofteng.DriveGenius.locum.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.sharpcast.xfsmond.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist [Click for support]

[failed] us.pandamonia.Bark-Helper.plist [Click for support]

User Launch Agents: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]

[running] com.akamai.single-user-client.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]

[not loaded] com.linotype.FontFolderProtector.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.parallels.mobile.startgui.launchagent.plist [Click for support]

User Login Items: ℹ️

iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

candy dropbox script UNKNOWN (missing value)

FontExplorer X Pro Application (/Applications/FontExplorer X Pro.app)

VMware Fusion Start Menu UNKNOWN (missing value)

Google Chrome Application Hidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)

Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.0.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]

Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.2.0.16 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]

net.juniper.DSSafariExtensions: Version: Unknown [Click for support]

AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101750: Version: Unknown

AdobeAAMDetect: Version: 3.0.0.0 - SDK 10.9 [Click for support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 17.0.0.188 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.13 [Click for support]

Flash Player: Version: 17.0.0.188 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.0.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.13 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 15.0.0 - SDK 10.10 Check version

User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

WebEx64: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

CW5: Version: CW5 3.2.0.11 - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]

AdWatch5: Version: AdWatch5 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]

Safari Extensions: ℹ️

1Password

3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

Akamai NetSession Preferences [Click for support]

Box Sync [Click for support]

Flash Player [Click for support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Click for support]

FUSE for OS X (OSXFUSE) [Click for support]

Time Machine: ℹ️

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

HAL4: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 443.04 GB

Destinations:

Hansel [Local]

Total size: 3.00 TB

Total number of backups: 30

Oldest backup: 2014-03-01 18:00:11 +0000

Last backup: 2015-04-29 15:58:27 +0000

Size of backup disk: Excellent

Backup size 3.00 TB > (Disk size 999.35 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

46% opendirectoryd

23% WindowServer

18% automountd

10% com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(10)

8% Google Chrome Helper(37)

Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

6.83 GB kernel_task

6.17 GB Google Chrome Helper(37)

2.23 GB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(10)

1.10 GB Adobe Photoshop CC 2014

418 MB Google Chrome

Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

471 MB Free RAM

24.00 GB Used RAM

164 MB Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

Jun 16, 2015, 05:25:17 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/garcon_2015-06-16-172517_[reda cted].crash

Jun 16, 2015, 03:42:44 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Adobe Desktop Service_2015-06-16-154244_[redacted].crash

Jun 15, 2015, 09:19:20 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.MailServiceAgent_201 5-06-15-091920_[redacted].crash

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Answer 8

BobHarris

Level 9

56,777 points

Jun 17, 2015 11:52 AM in response to Candy Crane

The fact that it worked in Safe Mode, is a strong indication that one of those many 3rd party editions EtreCheck is showing, is interfering with the Terminal's Control-C and Control-Z keys. Maybe they are being stolen.

Is it possible that Parallels is stealing Control-C for Copy and Control-Z for Undo, on a global basis ? Just making a wild unsupported totally uneducated guess.

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Answer 9

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Jun 17, 2015 12:09 PM in response to Candy Crane

It's not clear if you tested inside another user account.

Please confirm if you did try it. It could be settings that are synced via iCloud if both Macs are using the same sync options. Another user account shouldn't have those settings via sync.

You could then compare the preferences for the Terminal app in each account to see if there are any clear differences.

Another thing to try…

Disable your login items to see if it works without your custom startup items - it can indicate if a running process is taking the keystrokes.

To do this logout, re login but hold shift as you click the login button. Keep holding unit the desktop is loaded. Logout again to return to a normal login session.

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Answer 10

Candy Crane Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2015 12:11 PM in response to BobHarris

ok, so the good news first: IT'S FIXED!

but now the question: does rebooting in safe mode do any sort of repair action?? because after safe mode, both laptop and iMac Terminal processes recognize the CTRL commands C & Z. ... it cannot be just the restart action, because both have been restarted more than once since this happened.

as a follow-up note, BobHarris, i never use that Parallels. i had a colleague install his version on this iMac when i got it "just in case", but i've never had to use it. it was a valid question though. all that PC ctrl key business made googling this problem a nightmare.

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Answer 11

BobHarris

Level 9

56,777 points

Jun 17, 2015 12:57 PM in response to Candy Crane

ok, so the good news first: IT'S FIXED!

but now the question: does rebooting in safe mode do any sort of repair action?? because after safe mode, both laptop and iMac Terminal processes recognize the CTRL commands C & Z. ... it cannot be just the restart action, because both have been restarted more than once since this happened.

Rebooting in and of itself sometimes has a curative effect 🙂 But that is no way to run an airline

Booting into Safe Mode does clear a lot of kernel caches.

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