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General discussion

On-Screen Keyboard in OS X

Apr 8, 2008 1:38AM PDT

Just purchased my first Mac, a mini running 10.4. Because of a disability I rarely touch the keyboard, instead type with a mouse and the On-Screen Keyboard application. I turned on the sticky keys setting, but they don't stick on the On-Screen Keyboard. They do stick on the physical keyboard. Would appreciate any advice on getting the stick keys to work on the On-Screen Keyboard.

Discussion is locked

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on-screen keyboard
Apr 8, 2008 5:11AM PDT

don't seem to be getting any responses to my post at macfixit.com. Downloaded keystrokes trial copy, it's expensive to purchase.

Hoping someone with os x can test their on-screen keyboard with sticky keys turned on to see if it works for them, then I'd know if there was a problem with the software on my Mac.

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Call your local Apple store.
Apr 8, 2008 6:41AM PDT

They should be able to check in a few minutes.

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Try this:
Apr 8, 2008 10:36AM PDT

Sticky keys does not mean what you think it means. It has nothing to do with showing a keyboard on the screen.
Sticky keys are for those that have difficulties pressing more than one key at a time. Command + Option + Esc or Command + C (Copy) and Command + V (Paste)

If you want to see a keyboard on the screen, try this.

Open System Preferences, go to Universal Access, leave sticky keys ON, check enable access for assistive devices

Click on Show All (top of that window)
Now go to System Preferences, International
Click the Input Menu Tab
Put a check into Keyboard Viewer.
Check show Input Source in menu bar

Close preferences.

In the menubar, on the right, you will see a flag. Click it and choose Show Keyboard Viewer.

That should put the keyboard on the screen for you.

With the sticky keys still on, you can do the combination keys fairly easily.

Let us know if this is what you needed.

P

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re: Try this
Apr 9, 2008 12:18AM PDT

"Sticky keys are for those that have difficulties pressing more than one key at a time. Command + Option + Esc or Command + C (Copy) and Command + V (Paste)"

That is exactly my problem. I can open the keyboard viewer as you describe, but it's not possible to press 2 keys at the same time with a mouse.

Downloaded an on-screen keyboard called keystrokes that is the same thing. Sticky keys work fine with it, but after a 15 day trial they want almost $300. Little out of my price range.

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Did you call Apple?
Apr 9, 2008 1:14AM PDT

I find a direct call on such things can open the door to patches that are not out yet or "the answer."

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No fix
Jan 19, 2009 4:42AM PST

I had the same problem. We purchased a macbook for our disabled son. He can only use a mouse to type. I contacted Apple, and there is a flaw in it. The user must physically hit the shift key (sticky keys enabled)on the actual keyboard in order to shift. The mouse can not be used to shift. A disabled user who isn't capable of doing this is stuck with a useless computer. I'm very disappointed in Apple, because it looks like they've known this since 2007, but they still haven't fixed it. Disabled buyers beware.

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So 20 bucks wasted?
Jan 19, 2009 7:15AM PST
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Apple couldn't tell me about this?
Jan 19, 2009 8:03AM PST

No, we're talking about the keyboard viewer that comes already installed under accessibility options. My son used the one that was standard with Windows XP, before we got the Mac. When the shift refused to work, we were referred by some board to a trial version of Keystrokes a $300 application, while they looked at the problem.
Today, instead of offering to give me this $20 solution you're showing us now.....or even telling us it exists, they just said, "Sorry. The only way it works is to physically hit shift on the actual keyboard."

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Why it's worth a shot.
Jan 19, 2009 10:24AM PST

I think its available as a trial so ZERO bucks to try.

Apple for right or wrong... Sorry, I think you'll do better in friendly (Cnet) forums to find such stuff.

-> For what its worth I tried the stock Apple on screen and it worked but then again I was in an Apple store so who knows why I only read about this issue and don't get to see it first hand.

Good luck and hope this helped.
bob

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Another Solution
Jan 14, 2009 9:29PM PST

Try looking for "Kiiboard". It's made for use with a WiiMote, but will work with a mouse, too. (That's how I am using it right now!)

It has a few bugs, like the caps-lock shows symbols, but types numbers, and there isn't a command key yet, but it is new, in beta, and $0.00 (FREE)

The modifier keys will "stick" for the stock Keyboard Viewer, too.

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SOLUTION TO OSX ONSCREEN KEYBOARD STICKY KEYS!!!!
Jan 12, 2010 12:09PM PST

Use Finder to navigate to the folder > System > Library > CoreServices > Menu Extras, and double click on the file ?Ink.menu?. This will cause an Ink icon to appear on your menu bar. You can use the drop down menu to access Ink Preferences and turn Ink on. Also check the "Show Ink Window" check-box. This is a little window with modifier keys that stick once or lock down by double-clicking. Combine this with the regular onscreen keyboard and you have a mouse-only solution for all your text input needs. Why Apple failed to include sticky keys by default I will never forgive. Please, If anyone knows a good place to post this info where it will be most helpful, let me know or go ahead and do it.
PS this also works great if you want to use a touchscreen-only setup.