Huh? Keyboard changes to symbols, can't type ...

[joefree]

It usually happens after going to sleep. But only one time in ten. When I try to type my password and hit enter/return I get an alert sound then nothing. Nothing about wrong password. Even more rare all of a sudden all I can type are symbols so I'm assuming this is what happens when I try to type my password to wake from sleep. I have to do a hard reboot before I can type in my password. Very bizarre.

I've re-installed Snow Leopard and updates. Tried deleting some preferences.

It's still happening. Anybody got any ideas? I've searching for similar problems. Can't even find a command that changes the entire keyboard layout to symbols only.

I'm running 10.6.4 on a Macbook Pro. Appreciate some learned advice.
Cheers,
Joefree

 

[bigjobby]

have you got a sticky 'alt' key? Check both of them.

 

[joefree]

Good clue

It is indeed a alt function as last time it happen when I would click on a folder it would make a copy of the folder. It will take some testing to see if I can unstick the alt key and return to normal.

Thank you BigJobby. You've at least pointed me in the right direction.

 

[joefree]

Nope, not a sticky key

Just happened again.

Computer went to sleep. When I tried to wake it from sleep I get an alert sound after pressing the return key. I check both alt keys and they seemed to be free of sticking. For some reason after going to sleep, and even a few times when I'm just working on the computer, it's like a get a permanent alt button situation, i.e., typing I get symbols, clicking on a folder copies the folder. Can't figure out how to turn it off except do a hard reboot.

Help

 

[bigjobby]

I'd give AppleCare a shout if its still in warranty. You might have a duff contact under one of those keys.

 

[raywalk]

Nope, not a sticky key

Just happened again.

Computer went to sleep. When I tried to wake it from sleep I get an alert sound after pressing the return key. I check both alt keys and they seemed to be free of sticking. For some reason after going to sleep, and even a few times when I'm just working on the computer, it's like a get a permanent alt button situation, i.e., typing I get symbols, clicking on a folder copies the folder. Can't figure out how to turn it off except do a hard reboot.

Help

[doublepost=1461391498][/doublepost]Hi, I know this was YEARS ago but this is happening to me exactly as you describe. It's not the keyboard as I replaced it and it's still happenening. I've already done a hard reset and the issue returned. Did you ever find out what was wrong? I've been on the phone to apple and so far nothing is working. It doesn't just change the characters to symbols, it also messes with other things like minimising a window shuts all windows down and weird things with the copy/paste function and using apps. The way to fix it is to log out like you said or sometimes even reset but it's coming back sooner and sooner each time. Any help or info would be amazing.