Keystroke no longer working

[kevs12]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel All of the sudden,
Control, Shift, Down arrow --
which would select an entire column, is now
Zooming text down.
Can someone explain this?
This was one of my favorite shortcuts. Tottally baffled.

 

[John McGhie]

Hi Kevs:

Generally, YOU are the one who can explain this

Have a look in Tools>Customise>Keyboard...

In the "Press new shortcut key" box, type the key combination. Read the
text that appears just below in "Currently assigned to"

It should read "A built-in function". If it doesn't, click "Remove".

If it DOES read "A built-in key combination" then you need to check in OS X
System Preferences to see what has hijacked it (could be something you
installed?)

Cheers

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel
All of the sudden,
Control, Shift, Down arrow --
which would select an entire column, is now
Zooming text down.
Can someone explain this?
This was one of my favorite shortcuts. Tottally baffled.

--

The email below is my business email -- Please do not email me about forum
matters unless I ask you to; or unless you intend to pay!

John McGhie, Microsoft MVP (Word, Mac Word), Consultant Technical Writer,
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. | Ph: +61 (0)4 1209 1410
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[kevs12]

John, thanks,
when I press the
Press new shortcut key--
I try to type the shortcut, but nothing happens, it wont accept the cursor

 

[Jeff Chapman]

Hello,

when I press the
Press new shortcut key--
I try to type the shortcut, but nothing happens, it wont accept the cursor

If it's not Excel, you'll have to go to Mac OS X System
Preferences under the Apple icon menu, select Keyboard and Mouse -
Keyboard Shortcuts. Look under the "Shortcut" column to
see if there is any application that is stealing that
shortcut, You'll generally be able to change it from here.

Jeff

 

[John McGhie]

Hi Kevs:

You need to "click" in the box titled "press new shortcut key" and then type
the shortcut.

Are you sure you are reading the screen when you try these things?

Cheers

John, thanks,
when I press the
Press new shortcut key--
I try to type the shortcut, but nothing happens, it wont accept the cursor

This email is my business email -- Please do not email me about forum
matters unless you intend to pay!

--

John McGhie, Microsoft MVP (Word, Mac Word), Consultant Technical Writer,
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. | Ph: +61 (0)4 1209 1410
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[kevs12]

John, The cursor is blinking, in the press new shortcut -- but the field will not accept anything.

Question: above that, what should be selected?

"Are you sure you are reading the screen when you try these things?"

What does that mean?

Jeff, yes, thanks, I looked in there. Don't see that keystroke there.

Side note. Since got this imac, when I click F1, itunes launches, which it should not.

 

[kevs12]

John, spoke with senior tech at apple. he says may be compatibility issues. is there any hope for this? super annoying not being able to use this keystroke.

 

[CyberTaz]

"Compatibility issues"??? Did this individual mention what s/he suspects of
being 'incompatible' with what?

This astute insight is merely their way of telling you that they have no
idea what the cause of the problem is and aren't about to spend any time
helping you figure it out... IOW, you've been [pick one: blown off, given
the brush-off, given the bum's rush, shown the door, snubbed, ditched...].

By broad definition the cause is something specific to your system. The
keystroke works as it should on other systems... including those I have as
well as those of other responders here. By your own words the stroke worked
fine before on your system. Now it doesn't, but it didn't stop working "All
of the sudden". Something about your configuration was changed between your
last successful use of it & the point at which you discovered that it no
longer does as it did before. As John suggested *you* are in the best
position to determine what that change is.

Have you modified any keystrokes in excel?

Have you modified any Keyboard settings in System Preferences?

Have you installed any new software?

Do you have any software that provides keyboard control which may be
activated by a "master keystroke" which enables/disables that software?

It might also help others a bit if you'd clarify what you mean by "Zooming
text down" -- Is the stroke Zooming the window magnification or is it
actually reducing the font size?

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[kevs12]

Thanks Bob!
The main big thing that has happened recently is I got new imac which put me from Tiger to Snow Leopard. and I'm now running on rosetta.
So Mac tech was basically saying will all this new choas I may have compatibility issues. I'm with you, I'm sure there is a solution.
(it works fine on my laptop - 10.5)

But I have not changed anything else keystoke wise on my computer!
So I'm totally at a loss.
By zoom down I mean, it zooms the full workbook down 25%.
This is very important keystroke - selected all columns to the end so I hope we can solve this.

 

[CyberTaz]

OK, maybe it's time you come clean with exactly what versions of Office & OS
X you're using & what you're running them on. And it would be best if you do
so in a NEW thread. The way these bits & pieces have been doled out I'm not
sure what we're even dealing with. I had been under the impression that the
issue involved:

Office 2008 (12.2.3)
OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.2)
Running on an Intel-based iMac

Now you're throwing Rosetta into the mix, but that shouldn't be a factor at
all if the information above is correct. Rosetta is an emulator housed
within OS X that enables (older) apps written for PPC-based Macs to continue
being used on Intel-based units. Office 2008 is coded in Universal Binary
which means it runs natively on Intel Macs -- it doesn't require [nor does
it involve] Rosetta in any way. If your problem were occurring in Office
2004 it might be a different matter.

Before posting your new message, log out then hold the Shift Key while you
log in. let us know if you continue to have the same problem. Also, create a
new User Account & see if the problem occurs there.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[kevs12]

Bob,
my apologies. I'm on 2004, usually get that right!
Just bought a new 27"imac two weeks ago.

------
Ok, I logged out to my test user and the problem was not there with the test user.
-------
After I migrated everything 2 weeks ago, I was having permission issues with external hard drives, and did a full archive and install.
--------
Also I have another bizarre keyboard issue: when I click F1, itunes launches -- and it's not set to do so.
--------
Clearly it's with my primary user, but what do I do? I've already done an archive and install. any other ideas?

 

[CyberTaz]

I have no idea whether the iTunes/F1 issue & the Excel issue are connected
in any way, especially since you don't specify whether it occurs in the
"test user". I can only comment on the Excel issue...

Make sure you Quit Excel, then go to:

HD/Users/UserName/Library/Preferences/Microsoft

Remove the file: com.microsoft.Excel.prefs.plist

Then launch Excel & see if the keystroke behaves. If it's an Excel issue
that should resolve it

There are other possibilities if this is a new computer, such as a bad
keyboard or faulty firmware or faulty USB. Have you tried disconnecting the
keyboard for a minute or two?

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[kevs12]

Bob,
thanks, just said in 2nd sentence:
...."Ok, I logged out to my test user and the problem was not there with the test user."
to repeat: the problem does not exist with test user.
---------------
I deleted preference but problem persist. Interestingly, no new prefernce was generated, look:
http://tinypic.com/r/2jg1nic/6
---------
I tried the keyboard that came with the computer but the problem was still there.

 

[forums55]

Bob,
thanks, just said in 2nd sentence:
..."Ok, I logged out to my test user and the problem was not there with the
test user."
to repeat: the problem does not exist with test user.

Bob/ anyone out there?
I can't give up on this. This is last big bug I have since I got my new
imac. I've been away since Mactopia is no longer working so I'm monitoring
threads old fashioned way now through entourage.


OS 10.4.11
Office 2004

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi kevs;


"The problem"?: "The" arrow key problem, "the" F1 key problem, "the" overall
keyboard problem...? Which of those 3 possibilities determines what steps to
take next. I'll just *assume* you mean that the keyboard behaves as expected
in all regards in your test user account.

Assuming you did execute the steps in this order: (a) Quit Excel, (b) delete
the .plist, (c) launch Excel, if no new .plist file was created it's further
indicative of a problem with the User Account where you're experiencing the
contrary keyboard behavior. I can't tell you specifically what's causing it,
but it must be an OS Preference setting, some 3rd party app/utility, or some
form of corruption in that user account. Based on your claims it would have
to be the latter of the three.

One thing you can try ‹ but with no guarantees ‹ is to start your Mac from
the OS X install disk then run Disk Utility - Repair Disk [NOT Repair Disk
Permissions]. If it finds/fixes any errors run it again until it finds no
more errors.

It may also help to apply the OS X 10.6.2 Combo Update, but I don't hold
much hope for that either. It sounds to me like something didn't transfer
properly when the User Files were migrated to the new iMac. Trying to track
that down can be a very time-consuming, tedious process... And still not
provide any resolution.

I'd suggest that you create a new primary user account & move your user data
to the new account before deleting the old one. The info here for moving to
a 'new computer' should be useful:

http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/move.html

Bob/ anyone out there?
I can't give up on this. This is last big bug I have since I got my new
imac. I've been away since Mactopia is no longer working so I'm monitoring
threads old fashioned way now through entourage.


OS 10.4.11
Office 2004

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[forums55]

Hi kevs;


"The problem"?: "The" arrow key problem, "the" F1 key problem, "the" overall
keyboard problem...? Which of those 3 possibilities determines what steps to
take next. I'll just *assume* you mean that the keyboard behaves as expected
in all regards in your test user account.

Assuming you did execute the steps in this order: (a) Quit Excel, (b) delete
the .plist, (c) launch Excel, if no new .plist file was created it's further
indicative of a problem with the User Account where you're experiencing the
contrary keyboard behavior. I can't tell you specifically what's causing it,
but it must be an OS Preference setting, some 3rd party app/utility, or some
form of corruption in that user account. Based on your claims it would have
to be the latter of the three.

One thing you can try ‹ but with no guarantees ‹ is to start your Mac from
the OS X install disk then run Disk Utility - Repair Disk [NOT Repair Disk
Permissions]. If it finds/fixes any errors run it again until it finds no
more errors.

It may also help to apply the OS X 10.6.2 Combo Update, but I don't hold
much hope for that either. It sounds to me like something didn't transfer
properly when the User Files were migrated to the new iMac. Trying to track
that down can be a very time-consuming, tedious process... And still not
provide any resolution.

I'd suggest that you create a new primary user account & move your user data
to the new account before deleting the old one. The info here for moving to
a 'new computer' should be useful:

http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/move.html

Bob/ anyone out there?
I can't give up on this. This is last big bug I have since I got my new
imac. I've been away since Mactopia is no longer working so I'm monitoring
threads old fashioned way now through entourage.


OS 10.4.11
Office 2004

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

Bob: are you saying don't even bother with another archive and install?
Two issues only:
F1 launching itune
Shift control down key is zooming down instead of selecting the columns.

Neither of these exist with test user.

Other than that the 99% of the new computer is working ok.


OS 10.4.11
Office 2004

 

[John McGhie]

Yes, he is. An Archive and Install keeps the old user accounts, and that's
where the problem is.

Hi kevs;

On 12/27/09 8:11 PM, in article (e-mail address removed)2ac0,

Bob,
thanks, just said in 2nd sentence:
..."Ok, I logged out to my test user and the problem was not there with the
test user."
to repeat: the problem does not exist with test user.

"The problem"?: "The" arrow key problem, "the" F1 key problem, "the" overall
keyboard problem...? Which of those 3 possibilities determines what steps to
take next. I'll just *assume* you mean that the keyboard behaves as expected
in all regards in your test user account.

---------------
I deleted preference but problem persist. Interestingly, no new prefernce
was
generated, look:
http://tinypic.com/r/2jg1nic/6

Assuming you did execute the steps in this order: (a) Quit Excel, (b) delete
the .plist, (c) launch Excel, if no new .plist file was created it's further
indicative of a problem with the User Account where you're experiencing the
contrary keyboard behavior. I can't tell you specifically what's causing it,
but it must be an OS Preference setting, some 3rd party app/utility, or some
form of corruption in that user account. Based on your claims it would have
to be the latter of the three.

One thing you can try ‹ but with no guarantees ‹ is to start your Mac from
the OS X install disk then run Disk Utility - Repair Disk [NOT Repair Disk
Permissions]. If it finds/fixes any errors run it again until it finds no
more errors.

It may also help to apply the OS X 10.6.2 Combo Update, but I don't hold
much hope for that either. It sounds to me like something didn't transfer
properly when the User Files were migrated to the new iMac. Trying to track
that down can be a very time-consuming, tedious process... And still not
provide any resolution.

I'd suggest that you create a new primary user account & move your user data
to the new account before deleting the old one. The info here for moving to
a 'new computer' should be useful:

http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/move.html

Bob/ anyone out there?
I can't give up on this. This is last big bug I have since I got my new
imac. I've been away since Mactopia is no longer working so I'm monitoring
threads old fashioned way now through entourage.


OS 10.4.11
Office 2004

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

Bob: are you saying don't even bother with another archive and install?
Two issues only:
F1 launching itune
Shift control down key is zooming down instead of selecting the columns.

Neither of these exist with test user.

Other than that the 99% of the new computer is working ok.


OS 10.4.11
Office 2004

This email is my business email -- Please do not email me about forum
matters unless you intend to pay!

--

John McGhie, Microsoft MVP (Word, Mac Word), Consultant Technical Writer,
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. | Ph: +61 (0)4 1209 1410
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[CyberTaz]

<snip>

Bob: are you saying don't even bother with another archive and install?
Two issues only:
F1 launching itune
Shift control down key is zooming down instead of selecting the columns.

Neither of these exist with test user.

Other than that the 99% of the new computer is working ok.


OS 10.4.11
Office 2004

<snip>

If an A&I didn't correct it the first time why would you think it would be
any different if you do it again? And if "99%" is working OK why should
reinstalling the OS be an approach to consider?

Additionally, the problems are only occurring in the one User Account, so it
is obviously not an OS or application file that's at fault... It's some sort
of user file or setting & those are not 'fixed' or changed by A&I ‹ in fact,
that process is designed to *retain* those settings, preferences, etc.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac