iMac G5 Keyboard Working Erratically
I have a client with a keyboard problem on an iMac G5 that was originally running OS X Tiger. Client reported keyboard and mouse were not working properly.
I went in with a Dell PC USB keyboard & USB mouse in case it was a problem with the Bluetooth peripherals. I booted into Single User mode, ran FSCK to repair problems on the HDD. When I rebooted back to desktop, I used Disk Utility to fix permissions on the HD. The USB keyboard & mouse were working but everything I typed came up in ALL CAPS regardless of whether CAPS LOCK was engaged or not or whether I held down the shift key on the USB keyboard.
I tried resetting the keyboard to defaults in the System Preferences, but it didn't help. Tried deleted the keyboard plist file (forgot the exact name of the file) in /System/Library.
I created a new user to see if the problem persisted across accounts and it did.
With the iMac keyboard I tried multiple times to reset the PRAM on bootup, but I would never hear the 2nd Mac chime, so I don't think it ever reset properly.
I upgraded the OS from Tiger to Leopard and when the OS finished loading both keyboards seems to work just fine and was able to type in lowercase. However, upon rebooting, the system went back to ALL CAPS. But it wasn't consistent. Of the multiple times I rebooted, often the keyboard would start off fine but then revert back to ALL CAPs.
Interesting that every time I booted in Single User mode, the keyboard always worked correctly. Although I never spent too much time in this mode, so maybe the keyboard would have screwed up there eventually as well.
I'm at a lose for how to troubleshoot this further?
I went in with a Dell PC USB keyboard & USB mouse in case it was a problem with the Bluetooth peripherals. I booted into Single User mode, ran FSCK to repair problems on the HDD. When I rebooted back to desktop, I used Disk Utility to fix permissions on the HD. The USB keyboard & mouse were working but everything I typed came up in ALL CAPS regardless of whether CAPS LOCK was engaged or not or whether I held down the shift key on the USB keyboard.
I tried resetting the keyboard to defaults in the System Preferences, but it didn't help. Tried deleted the keyboard plist file (forgot the exact name of the file) in /System/Library.
I created a new user to see if the problem persisted across accounts and it did.
With the iMac keyboard I tried multiple times to reset the PRAM on bootup, but I would never hear the 2nd Mac chime, so I don't think it ever reset properly.
I upgraded the OS from Tiger to Leopard and when the OS finished loading both keyboards seems to work just fine and was able to type in lowercase. However, upon rebooting, the system went back to ALL CAPS. But it wasn't consistent. Of the multiple times I rebooted, often the keyboard would start off fine but then revert back to ALL CAPs.
Interesting that every time I booted in Single User mode, the keyboard always worked correctly. Although I never spent too much time in this mode, so maybe the keyboard would have screwed up there eventually as well.
I'm at a lose for how to troubleshoot this further?
strung
What happens when you safe boot while holding down the shift key? Does it still use all caps?
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ASKER
Yes, I had tried booting into Safe Mode and the problem persisted there as well.
Sticky keys sounds like the best bet. Did you check the keyboard prefs panel to make sure they were off?
ASKER
I didn't check that. I won't have access to this system again until Fri. Will check then. Thanks!
ASKER
Strung, sticky keys were not turned on. Determined there is some fundamental corruption in the OS. Client decided they will buy a new iMac to replace this old one.
I will assign these points to you. In the meantime, please do me a favor and check this long-standing post that I have not been able to resolve:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/27205390/Classic-iPod-Gets-Stuck-Synchronizing-with-iTunes.html
Thank you!!!
I will assign these points to you. In the meantime, please do me a favor and check this long-standing post that I have not been able to resolve:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/27205390/Classic-iPod-Gets-Stuck-Synchronizing-with-iTunes.html
Thank you!!!
Unfortunately, I know nothing about iPods. Sorry.
ASKER
OK. No problem. Was worth a shot. Thanks.
ASKER
Strung, when you have a few minutes, please take a look at the question below that I posted earlier today. Thanks!
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/27641111/How-Do-I-Change-Location-of-a-VM-in-VMWare-Fusion.html
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/27641111/How-Do-I-Change-Location-of-a-VM-in-VMWare-Fusion.html