Keyboard Input Problem

traveller221,

I am currently on vacation but before I left I did disable the option to type foreign accented characters using the command prompt given on this thread (I basically crossed my fingers and did it because I was leaving and couldn't get ahold of my Senior Apple Advisor before I left). I was really hoping this would help before I closed my computer down for my trip. I DID NOT reset the SMC and PPRAM however but in reading your post that would not have helped anyway.

I Will try to show this to my advisor. I am starting to think this is a bug in the current release of El Capitan because I never had any trouble prior to this. I have tried so many things to help alleviate the problem including taking my iMac to the Genius Bar and having a complete diagnostic program run on the hardware of my computer (everyhting tested out fine) and erasing the entire hard drive, repartitioning the Fusion Drive and re-installing the latest operating system (El Capitan - latest version - XX.3 I believe). This after deleting almost all of my 3rd party software and everything to no avail according to your experience or what everyone is advising us to do.

PS - This IS IlliniBird but I had to reset my Apple ID and choose a new username thus the variation on IlliniBird.

traveller221 wrote:

Unfortunately the problem has returned

What version of OS X are you running?

I Know you addressed this to traveler221 but mine is 10.11.3 (El Capitan) which was a "clean" install my Apple Genius Bar performed after erasing my Fusion HD; re-partitioning the HD and re-installing El Capitan (10.11.3).

IlliniBird1949 wrote:

I Know you addressed this to traveler221 but mine is 10.11.3 (El Capitan)

Thanks! I asked traveler221 because as far as we know he is running 10.7, which is very old.

Have you tried setting up a new user account and seeing if you have the same problem when logged into that?

I doubt this is a general bug in 10.11.3, or we would be seeing a lot more complaints here about it.

PS Do you have webroot or any other antivirus junk installed?

No, I haven't tried that yet but that may be something I do when I get home and call the Apple Senior Advisor. He had mentioned that we might try that.

No. As I posted, I removed all the Macpaw stuff that was supposed to make my iMac run better. AND, after the Genius Bar erased my HD, repartitioned it and then re-installed the OS (El Capitan 10.11.3) NO third party software was reloaded except Office for Mac 2016, Quicken for Mac 2016 and Printsop for Mac Version 3 (compatible with El Capitan). Also, no antivirus software; never had that.

I wanted to add that after I disabled the foreign key portion and when holding down a key it inputs the letter repeatedly (bbbbbbbbbb) for example, one time in the command type prompt the behavior started on its own where random characters were typed; then they were erased, etc. It was as if the keyboard was possessed and entering letters on its own. Then the only way to gain control was to reboot.

When I get home I'm going to talk with the Apple Senior Tech Advisor for what to try next. We have already tried so many things which haven't worked that I'm becoming very concerned about solving this issue. Intermittent problems ar so difficult to correct.

IlliniBird1949 wrote:

I wanted to add that after I disabled the foreign key portion and when holding down a key it inputs the letter repeatedly (bbbbbbbbbb)

Some of what you are describing how a Mac works with 'held' keys. When you see your Mac expert don't be surprised if they tell you 'that is how it is'.

For many years the Mac would print the same character when a key was held, around 5 years ago the default changed over to the 'character picker' that is shown in the first post. As you can see, the choice is yours for which one you prefer.

You can slow down the 'repeat rate' if you desire but it effects all keystrokes. The option is in 'System Preferences > Accessibility', select Keyboard, check 'Enable slow keys', set the delay in the options & see if it better.

IlliniBird1949 wrote:

one time in the command type prompt the behavior started on its own where random characters were typed; then they were erased, etc. It was as if the keyboard was possessed and entering letters on its own. Then the only way to gain control was to reboot.

This does not sound normal. The Mac will remember pressed keys, so if it is busy on another task, you can tap a few in before it starts to draw them on screen. Is that what is happening or are your hands away from the keyboard when it happens?

It is difficult to tell what is happening from here, so you should see what your advisor suggests.

Good luck with it.

Drew Reece wrote

Some of what you are describing how a Mac works with 'held' keys. When you see your Mac expert don't be surprised if they tell you 'that is how it is'.

For many years the Mac would print the same character when a key was held, around 5 years ago the default changed over to the 'character picker' that is shown in the first post. As you can see, the choice is yours for which one you prefer.

You can slow down the 'repeat rate' if you desire but it effects all keystrokes. The option is in 'System Preferences > Accessibility', select Keyboard, check 'Enable slow keys', set the delay in the options & see if it better.

Drew Reece - Yes, I know and understand how the Mac works with held keys; The OS defaults to adding accented letters when the key is held down. I entered the command to disable this because when the key board was "possessed" it typed out these accented foreign letters. Now it types a string of the letter held down and I know this also is normal since I changed the command. It is the keyboard acting possessed where letters are now randomly entered and then randomly erased before the computer locks up. Do you understand the behavior I am explaining? As far as slowing down the "repeat rate," we haven't tried that yet. I am aware of this option and will certainly discuss this with him. IlliniBird1949

This does not sound normal. The Mac will remember pressed keys, so if it is busy on another task, you can tap a few in before it starts to draw them on screen. Is that what is happening or are your hands away from the keyboard when it happens?

Drew Reece - I don't know if it is "remembering keys" I typed previously or just randomly entering them (as if the keyboard is "possessed") but this behavior is really strange. When this happens (and like I said, it's intermittent) I have to reboot the computer to get it to act normally. Do you understand what I'm describing to you? IlliniBird1949

It is difficult to tell what is happening from here, so you should see what your advisor suggests.

Good luck with it.

Drew Reece - Yes, I plan to contact my Apple Senior Tech Advisor again when I get home (I'm on vacation now). We have been working together on this problem trying MANY different things to correct this problem but it continues to recur. It is the same problem traveler221 is experiencing. IlliniBird1949

Yes I understand you & have an idea on what you are seeing. I simply wanted to be sure that you knew which parts were OK & which parts were not normal. Focus on the weird keys that enter themselves - if it happens when doing a specific task make a note & tell the tech. Intermittent faults can be tricky, record it happening on a iPhone or similar if you are able to catch it happening in real time.

I think you issue is actually different to traveller221's. The original post doesn't mention these 'possessed keys' so it seems like that part is your Mac misbehaving.

The Apple technician should get to the bottom of this, otherwise come back & ask here. It could be hardware or software.

Good luck

It usually happened when I was in Quicken 2015 and typed a capital "E" in a Quicken cell (for "EFT" - electronic fund transfer). This is where the problem usually occurred, I would get the keyboard mysterically entering numerous accented "e" with the accent grave, agu, etc. (in a bubble). But, it happened once when I was on the phone with my Senior Apple Advisor so he saw what was going on. Also, when he saw it happen I was not using Quicken 2015 so he told me this is a system wide problem. I have since disabled the Foreign key inputs for letters.

I upgraded to Quicken 2016 and Microsoft Office for Mac 2016 and was personally assured their programs are compatible with 10.11.3 (did clean install of each). Also Broderbund told me Printshop Version 3 (clean install) was compatible with 10.11.3 (El Capitan). No other 3rd party software was re-installed after the "clean" installation of El Capitan (10.11.3) from the Apple Genius Bar (after HD erased; partitioned and re-installation of OS X El Capitan. Again, prior to this, they ran a long diagnostic program on the hardware and my computer passed. We also swapped out the wireless keyboard and mouse (from my iMac downstairs) with no change in results.

I call Apple again tomorrow.