Command keys

[kenglade07]

Is there anyone who can tell me why my command keys are not working on my new iMac running 10.9?

Specifically:

Command N is =not=opening a new document

Command C is =not= copying

Command V is =not= pasting

To open a new document I have to got to File>Open new document
To copy and paste i have to right click with my mouse

I have not been able to find solutions on the web. Surely, I can't be the only one with these issues.

 

[chabig]

Maybe the left command key is broken. Try the right one.

 

[kenglade07]

Maybe the left command key is broken. Try the right one.

Nope. Get the same response with the right command key. When i use command C I get a lower case letter C with a squiggly attached. French?

 

[hfg]

You might check SystemPreferences/Keyboard, Keyboard tab and hit ModifierKeys button. Make sure all entries are correct ... or simply press the "Restore Defaults" button.

 

[DeltaMac]

Yes, the C with the "squiggly" is what you get pressing Option/alt-c.
Are you sure you are pressing the command key, and not Option/alt?

This could also happen as the default, if you are not using the Apple keyboard, but using a Windows keyboard (with a Windows key). The command key on a Windows keyboard would be the Windows key, unless you do change it in the settings.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Is there anyone who can tell me why my command keys are not working on my new iMac running 10.9?

Specifically:

Command N is =not=opening a new document

Command C is =not= copying

Command V is =not= pasting

To open a new document I have to got to File>Open new document
To copy and paste i have to right click with my mouse

I have not been able to find solutions on the web. Surely, I can't be the only one with these issues.

Is it a second hand Mac? Someone may have changed the keys functionality, especially if they were a windows user. You can change it in the settings.

 

[kenglade07]

You might check SystemPreferences/Keyboard, Keyboard tab and hit ModifierKeys button. Make sure all entries are correct ... or simply press the "Restore Defaults" button.

yep, i tried that, too. First, I tried setting up some keys in Keyboard>Shortcut>services but they didn't work. So I restored defaults and that had no effect.

I'm totally stumped. Guess i'll just have to learn to live with it.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[DeltaMac]

So… Are you using an Apple-brand keyboard - or some other brand?

If the "Restore Defaults" did not change anything, you could also swap the modifier keys in that same Keyboard/Modifier Keys pane.
(You really don't have to "learn to live with it" - it's incorrect key response, so fix it!)
You should also try your Keyboard & Character Viewer to check if the keyboard keys are mechanically working OK. You can get that in your Language & Text pane/Input Sources tab.

 

[hfg]

If you create a new user for testing ... does that user account also have the keyboard issues?

If not, it is in your personal environment.

If so, you might want to do a system restore to reload OS X (be sure you have a current backup first).