asked on

osx Mavericks modify functionality of login screen

Hello

I want to modify the behaviour of Mac OSX Mavericks client when they are operating from the login screen. Specifically I want to modify the behaviour of the keyboard when the login screen is presented. Currently users can invert the colours or adjust the contrast using built in apple keyboard shortcuts. I have been able to modify my accounts behaviour as well as any user accounts that are created to behave appropriately by modifying com.apple.symbolichotkeys.plist but this does not appear to effect the screen when no user is currently logged in. Is there a way to modify the behaviour (or look and feel) of the client before a user has logged in.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

serialband

If you're using an external USB keyboard, it would be a simple matter to replace them all with a Windows keyboard. That's the only sure fire way that works. Unfortunately, if you have a macbook, there's still the built-in keyboard.

I though that Invert Colors was disabled by default starting from Lion or Mountain Lion. I had to enable that by going to System Preferences --> Keyboard --> Shortcuts --> Accessibility.

You can flip the keyboard functions so that they act as F1-F12 function keys by default. They need to press fn to make changes to volume and brightness. It won't prevent them from doing it, but they will be momentarily blocked until they figure it out.

If you only want to flip a few keys try Function Flip http://kevingessner.com/software/functionflip/

Have you tried changing the template instead of the individual User setting /System/Library/User Template/English.lproj/Library/Preferences/com.apple.symbolichotkeys.plist If you did it manually from an logged in user account, the settings take affect system wide, so there must be another file that gets affected.

elschott

ASKER

Thanks for the reply SerialBand. Yes I have put my modified com.apple.symbolichotkeys.plist in the user template, which as you mention fixes the issue for each user but not the login screen before the user logs in.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

serialband

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial