My wireless keyboard key "Z" does not work!

Hi everyone. I bought a iMac 27" on April 2010. It came with the wireless aluminum small keyboard (no numeric pad). Current Mac OS X version is 10.6.8 and I don't have to download any additional updates.

Yesterday, everything was working fine. But today my "Z" key has stopped working. Not even Shift or Caps Lock helps.

This is what I tried and didn't work:

1.) System Preferences > Universal Access > Mouse > Turn off "Mouse Keys".

2.) System Preferences > Speech > Turn off "Speak selected text when the key is pressed".

3.) Restarted the computer using Mac OS X installation cd. Used the Terminal to check if the Z key was working. No success.

4.) Slammed my head several times against the keyboard.

5.) I don't eat or drink near the computer. Mechanically, the Z key seems in good shape and cleaned. Even when I turn the keyboard upside down and shake it, there aren't any sights of hair/crumbs/boogers/dust/etc on the desk.

6.) System Preferences > Languages & Text > Input Sources > Keyboard & Character Viewer. The Z key doesn't work. Everything else does.

7.) The 2009 Aluminum Wireless Keyboard Firmware is up to date.

8.) I have Windows 7 installed on Bootcamp but rarely use it. I opened a Notepad file to see if the key was working but had no luck. On the control panel it says the keyboard is working properly and the drivers are up do date.

What can I do?

Thanks.

Hi,
You could try removing the key from the keyboard to investigate. Almost all are removable. In fact I found this article which may help!

How to remove keys from a wireless Mac keyboard | LloydAndLauren.com
Cheers

I was trying to avoid to remove my key because I'm afraid I'll break something.

But it seems I have no choice. I'll check the link and report the result.

If you're not sure can you borrow a similar keyboard from somebody local to test in it's place?

Saw nothing wrong when I removed the key. I don't know, maybe I'll need to get a new keyboard.

Vorlax said:

I was trying to avoid to remove my key because I'm afraid I'll break something.

But it seems I have no choice. I'll check the link and report the result.

Click to expand...

Just another point . Did you turn off the keyboard and drop the batteries out to reset? I would recommend that you do this before you remove a key anyway..I've just noticed that the keyboard in the article is still turned on.

Here's what I'd do

1. Power down and remove batteries
2. Remove key and investigate/clean.
3. If you have any compressed air in a can give it blast
4. Replace key
5.Replace batteries and power up

Vorlax said:

Saw nothing wrong when I removed the key. I don't know, maybe I'll need to get a new keyboard.

Click to expand...

Well it's a bunch of switches basically, I guess signalling noughts and one's via bluetooth which is pretty much bomb-proof. It does sound like the switch is not 'making' though for some reason because it looks like you've tried the Apple support advice.