Hi,
I and others have had a longstanding problem where sporadically, the letter keys will stop working, the return and other keys will stop working and the only way to fix this is to hit the fn key or reboot. (You can use the mouse to do whatever you can, close apps, etc.) It happened for the 34th time for me today. I've been told by AppleCare to bring my machine in and they will replace the keyboard. Once this heat wave passes I may do that.
The problem becomes evident when things like scrolling down a browser window or entering text in mail starts acting funny, so it is happening with multiple apps. I suppose it could be hardware but I suspect it is the interaction between the hardware and the software, in this case the Mac OS.
Is anyone else still having this problem? All the previous threads I've seen about it have been archived.
Many thanks.
John L
15" Powerbook/1.67 Ghz (DL/HR) Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1.5 gb RAM

Hello,

I've been having this problem since the first day that I purchased this PowerBook. At random times, the keyboard enters into "num lock" mode and only allows me to type numbers, no letters, as if the num lock key was activated, but it is not. I find that hitting the "fn" key unlocks the keyboard. This is a a very annoying problem, but I haven't talked to Appple about this, as I figured out this workaround. Also, I cannot afford to part with the Powerbook (I'm located in Spain, and repairs take 3-4 weeks!). Somewhere else I've read that resetting the PRAM solves this issue. I've reset the PRAM a number of times and I still experience the same keyboard lock problem. Has anybody found a permanent solution to this problem? Does replacing the keyboard work as a definite solution?

PoweBook G4 1.67 DL, 1.5GB Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Hi,

I just took my Powerbook in to the Apple Store to have its keyboard replaced (for free under warranty. I'm using another computer in the meantime.). Let's see if that fixes it. I'll report back once it gets back.

Cheers,

John L

15" Powerbook/1.67 Ghz (DL/HR) Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1.5 gb RAM

Well, it's official. Replacing the keyboard has not fixed it. I called AppleCare today as it was happening and they are recommending I archive and install (again) or first choice, erase and install.

I think I'll live with it and just hit the fn key when needed if it doesn't get worse. If it does, I'll go the above route.

Cheers,

John L

15" Powerbook/1.67 Ghz (DL/HR) Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1.5 gb RAM

Thanks for the update! I thought that buying the last generation Powerbook G4 would be a safe but, but it's been plagued with problems and bugs (horizontal lines on the screen, sound echo, squeaky keyboard, battery recall, keyboard num lock issue...) I really do think that Apple's products are no longer as good quality as in the old days (My Macintosh SE still works 18 years after I bought it!)

Powerbook G4 15 1.67 DL SD Mac OS X (10.4.7)

I have an SE too. I fired it up a few months ago and it still works but I really wonder what I can use it for. I also have an LC 580 that once reformatted would probably be ok, but for what? They both freeze often enough.

Thanks for the interest in this thread. Let's see what happens.

Cheers,

John

15" Powerbook/1.67 Ghz (DL/HR) Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1.5 gb RAM

I am also having a problem with keyboard. I tried to use an external keyboard and it comes up with the same responses as the keyboard on my laptop keyboard. The fn key does not do the trick. Rebooting, ctrl-option-shift does not do it either. Any replies (I would use my question mark sign, but it comes out to a ?)



G4 Titanium, laptop Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Hi,

When I am working on a desk, I use Apple's bluetooth keyboard, and it always works fine, even when the Powerbook's keyboard freezes.

Pressing the fn key has worked with me all the times when they keyboard has been frozen into num lock status.

I have often run into the keyboard freeze issue after switching pograms using command-tab. (But not always, it happens randomly)

PB G4 1.67 DL superdrive Mac OS X (10.4.8)