Aluminum Apple keyboards: No single-user mode entry; Keys accidentally repeating

More problems from Apple's new keyboards.

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 1:59 a.m. PT

2 min read

Problems with single-user mode We've received reports of a significant issue where the aluminum keyboard cannot generate input in single-user mode (entered by holding down the Command and S keys simultaneously at startup).

David Alstott writes:

"I have added the Aluminum Apple keyboard to my G-5 and installed the update. I can start up with command-s single user mode but then can not type anything."

If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.

Keys accidentally repeating Some users are reporting an issue where the wireless aluminum keyboard generates errant repeating character entries, sometimes in triplicate.

Paul Ingraham writes:

"I'm getting a distressinglyyy hiiigh number of random trippple keystrokes from my new aluminum wireless keyboard. The thing is absolute work of art, and I haven't had any of the other keeeyboard issues reported by other MacFixIt users ... bbbut the triplets are starting to get meee dowwwn. And, no, it's not really doing it that much -- that was just a fun way to report the problem. :-) The actual frequency is about once every ten minutes of intensive typing. It tends to happen when returning to the keys, rather than during continuous typing, so it may well be something about the quality of touch I use at certain times."

If you are experiencing a similar issue, first check the "Key repeat rate" and "Delay until repeat" settings in the Keyboard and Mouse pane of System Preferences -- toggling these can eliminate erroneous repetition.

Arrow key issues Some users report that the Aluminum keyboard's arrow keys do not work in some applications. One reader writes: