12-11-2009, 09:22 PM

I seriously don't think it's broken, I think I accidentally hit a combination of things that remapped or something. As of this morning:

1. my 8 key doesn't type. it beeps but doesn't type.
2. my left arrow key turns on/off the caps lock

WHAT THE HECK DID I DO? tell me it's a silly keyboard combination that did this and i can undo it... please!!

12-16-2009, 07:35 AM

update, found by accident. the 8 key types if you type 7 or 9 right before it... weird!! and the left arrow thing is definitely a remapping... ANY idea how to make that stop? thanks!!

01-13-2010, 09:06 PM

Ok then, more digging and googling has helped. Seems I accidentally bound the ctrl & 8 keys, and the left arrow & caps lock keys. so the question is... for someone that doesn't know how to program on a mac, what EXACTLY do i type into terminal to unbind these 2 combinations? anyone? thank you...

01-13-2010, 09:58 PM

Did you check your shortcuts defined in System Preferences => Keyboard => Keyboard Shortcuts?

01-13-2010, 10:04 PM

yep. first thing i tried. and i restored defaults a few times and have double/triple checked sticky keys... grrrr

i really don't want to reinstall the os just to fix this

06-12-2011, 07:01 AM

I have exactly the same problem with my MacBook. I can only type 8 if I hold alt button. And left button will work like Caps Lock and Caps Lock will move the cursor left (as well as switch caps lock on/off).

I'm very new to Mac so don't have a clue where to search for a solution for this. I suspect it might be a bug with the some software I used that bound these keys together.

Also I've just recently upgraded form Leopard to Snow Leopard and it did not fix the problem.

Any idea anyone?

06-12-2011, 12:37 PM

Another info that might give someone a clue.

When I open the Keyboard Viewer using Show Keyboard Viewer, I notice that:

- when I press 8, the control key lights too,
- when I press the control key the number 8 key lights too.

Also,

- when I press Caps Lock, the left arrow lights, and vice-versa.

I'd be very grateful if someone could give me a hint how to solve this as it's really bothering me. Can't type * either unless I use the Keyboard Viewer.

Thanks.

06-13-2011, 11:58 AM

Just for fun, check the Speech System Preference and see what key is bound to Listening. It's possible it might have been bound accidentally to the keys you mention.

06-13-2011, 01:02 PM

Hi thanks for trying to help. I did check this as I been searching google for hours and one of the things mentioned was this. However the listening key is Esc.

I found today this page Key Bindings

I suspect there will be a .dict file somewhere in my MacBook that got key 8 set to Ctrl and left arrow key to Caps Lock. Not a clue how to find this .dict file though...

04-11-2012, 01:41 AM

I know this is an old thread...but has anyone else out there encountered or heard of this problem? It is now plaguing me and my otherwise perfectly happy MacBook...