Rudy

Well, I'm not too much of a Mac head (even though I still have an Apple Lisa in storage and have had limited time with many Macs beginning with the intro in 1984...) but today I've got a problem that I can't seem to solve.

This time, the machine is a PowerMac G5 running OS X Tiger (not sure of exact version at this time) that's making me crazy...

The person who uses this machine daily has managed to turn off the "Num Lock" functionality (even though we have the Apple Keyboard (usb) which has no "Num Lock" key or num lock LED, just the "Clear" key in it's place.) Basically the numeric keys don't work (although the "5" key seems to select text or something) and I've tried everything I can think of to get it working again. Yes, I've tried shift-clear as well as just about every combination of control, command, apple, etc. keys.

Here's the one thing that is making me think it's some sort of software setting -- if I log in as a different user, the numeric keys work fine. If the other user logs in, no numeric keys. I've checked the settings in "International" and they seem to be identical between users.

I've Googled this problem and have found very little information about this issue. A couple people seem to have a similar problem but nobody has a solution other than "shift-clear."

Is there some setting stored in a user profile somewhere I can hack or modify? I know there's some die-hard Mac guys here so I figured I'd give you guys a shot before attempting something time consuming like calling Apple, etc.

Any ideas?

swajames

Rudy, I'm not at home right now so can't check it out on my macs but unless anyone else can help you in the meantime I'll see what I can so when I get back from work.

Some info in the meantime:

http://guides.macrumors.com/Keyboard_shortcuts

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75459

Not a laptop keyboard by any chance? If so, try Fn+F6

Rudy

Thanks for the reply...maybe the setting is stored in PRAM and clearing it will reset things back to default?

swajames

Could be. Sometimes the universal access settings play havoc with the keyboard, may be worth checking the system prefs to see how that's set up?

Rudy

Then again, aren't the PRAM settings the same for all users?

I looked over just about every system setting I could find and nothing seems out of place. Do you have any more specific places I should be looking?

nickolas_g

Rudy... try going to the System Preferences icon or the little Apple and Switch looking icon. It may be under the "Universal Settings" aka the Handicap icon. There are a number of settings there that you can remap your keybord. Sounds like someone was messin with you.

I apologize I am typing this from my work ThinkPad/StinkPad.

Rudy

I already checked all the handicap settings and couldn't find anything relating to the numeric keypad...

DINAN530i

you can always repair disk permissions to reset certain functions..

znod

I'm a die hard from both camps, and I haven't been using my Mac much lately (been doing too much Vista). But, I cranked my iBook up and could not find anything that is likely to solve your problem. I'll give you the stock answer; you could try repairing permissions. Use Disk Utility. And, another longshot is updating the prebinding. Here is a link that may help you get started. And, if you want to ask for help, then I'd go here. Good luck.

Rudy

Got any more details or do you know for sure that this will actually fix this?