Imac (intel) USB keyboard repeats letters

R

rstauffer

Registered
Dear experts:

i love my nnew Intel core duo Imac and OS10 but as you will see, the keyboard lettters repeat while typinng. i am on my 3rd keyboard now (apple has been very good to work with), and both my wife and i have this problem with random letters repeating when we only pressed the key inn question once. i would normally correct the typos (very annoying) you are seeing but i wanted to give you an example of the problem.

i am a pretty darn good touch typist, and have used dozens of keyboards on other commputers in the past, and never had this problem. For some reason the imac keyboard or the software supporting it or something is just not working properly. i DO have somewhat heavy typing hand, but this has never been a problem over the last 20 years of computer use.

I have set the keyboard repeat rate to every setting possible and the samme thinng happens. I spent 4 houurs on 2 separate calls to Apple Care. Nice guys, but couldn't help. I tried plugging the keyboard into different usb ports -- no change. I rebooted to a black ttext screen (via Apple-S) and still got duplicated letters.

There is a 'discussion forum' on exactly this topic at the Apple support site. There are some clues in that thread that you experts might find helpful-- the main debate is whether this is a hardware or a software issue. The linnk to that siite is http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2896408#2896408

Can annyone help me? - Russ (rstauffer@houston.rr.com)
 
Russ,

Did you try plugging the keyboard is plugged into the USB port nearest the side of the Mac, next to the headphone port.

In doing a search of this topic, I did find several threads in Apple's Discussion boards.

Is your keyboard replacement from Apple? Have you tried a non-Apple keyboard? What version OS are you using? One thread talks about the 10.4.6 update correcting their issues.
 
Thanks for the reply!!

1) USB Port: The keyboard is currently plugged into the usb port closest to the headphone out jack.

2) Keyboard Type: I have used onnly macintosh keyboards to date hopinng one eventually would work properrly. There doesn't seem to be that many 3rd party keyboards out thhere for macs that have all the proper mac buttons for sounnd, eject, and so on.

3) OS Version: I have 10.4.7. The keyboard patch will only install over 10.4.6 -- it gives you an error if you try to innstall over 10.4.7.

- Russ
 
'twould be good to try a non-Apple keyboard, just to check if the repeating key issue still exists. There are a number of Apple-key replacement keyboards. Even Microsoft makes one.
The accessory keys are just details, and if other keyboards also repeat, then you may need to go in a different direction - there's nothing wrong with the keyboards that you are using, and something else is causing the issue.

Do you have anything else that uses a USB port, and have you tried the keyboard with those all disconnected from your Mac?

Have you tried typing on another (same model) iMac, perhaps at an Apple store, to check if the issue also exists on other Macs?
 
Thanks very much for the reply!

I have tried all possible combinations of the usb connection -- key board solo, keyboard solo in different slots, keyboard and other peripherals in various arrangements, etc.

I have nnot tried a different keyboard but will go look for one today. And I have not really tried other imacs but will do so when I gett to an apple dealer. On this thread though, I believe this is a not uncommon issue (but hardly universal) as one of the Apple care staff in Austinn told me he had the same problem with his imac and can't find out how to fix it!

- RS
 
Fixed! I got the macally ikey-slim keyboard, and no more double letters. So here's what we've learned:

- this is not a software isse
- it is a hardware issue with the keyboard
- went thru 3 apple boards and all had repeating letters
- perhaps this doesn't happen with some folks dependingon their typing style
- easily fixed with a new keyboard from macally ($20 to $40 depending on the model you buy).

- R. Stauffer
 
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