MacBook Pros: First typed letter missing when typing in text fields; Apple acknowledges
Apple has apparently acknowledged an issue with some MacBook Pros where the first typed letter in a new text field is sometimes missing. For instance, when filling out a Web-based form, typing the word "dog" in an address field may result in only "og" being typed. A description from one poster to Apple's Discussion Boards reads (in a thread amusingly titled "ELP! - first letter always missing!"):
"Anytime I position the text cursor into a new field (ie google search, a new text document, saving, spotlight, you get the picture... anywhere!) and type, the first letter doesn't register"
A poster to the same thread reports receiving confirmation of the issue from Apple, specifically:
"This is a follow up to Bug ID# 5365684. After further investigation it has been determined that this is a known issue, which is currently being investigated by engineering. This issue has been filed in our bug database under the original Bug ID# 4333743."
Other users, meanwhile, are reporting sporadically missing letters during normal text entry, e.g.:
"I have ried all of them... Note he t is missing in many o the first letters and the f is also missing. I thought it was me so I sent it back. Apple replaced a few things and sen it back"
Adjust key repeat settings Some users have been able to mitigate this issue by adjusting their key repeat rate settings in the Keyboard and Mouse pane of System Preferences. In particular, setting the "Delay Until Repeat" to very short or off has resolved the issue for some.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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My gawd, me too!
I couldn't even report this one as I thought for sure it was just me.
I notice it most when a command-key operation fails, such as in email when I hit Command-N for new and nothing happens...
I'm glad it's something they're working on.
SB
I've also noticed this on my new MacBook Pro. I thought it was just me.
That was an issue I also had with my Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz, it was determined to be a dashboard issue, if you use one of the haxies to shut down dashboard, the problem will disappear. I have not encountered it on my MacBook Pro 2.16 Dualie
on't have this problem.
ine is working just fine.
ou sound like a Canadian.
eh!
Matt's right! I have had this issue for a year, at least. Like Matt I use a PB 1.67 Hz. I first noticed the problem because I seemed to be entering so many incorrect passwords. I complained then and believe I posted something at MacFixIt about the problem. No fix has been suggested yet.
The really interesting thing is that occasionally the thing works and and I don't have to hit the key for the first character twice before typing on.
Frustrating, for sure!!
Jerry
Matt
For some, the problem may be a font cache issue. Before complaining to Apple, try using one of the numerous font cache cleaning programs available. This is a fairly common issue, especially with people using fonts from various unknown sources. Most font cache issues usually create garbled text when accessing websites--- if that's your problem, then definitely clean out your font cache. Don't forget to restart you computer after cleaning out your cache files.
I have had the typing problem on my PB G4 1.33 often,. I thought it was my typing. I am going to try setting the repeat to short. I hope it helps.
It's not just the MacBook Pros...I've had this problem for some time on my PowerBook G4. It would seem to happen most often when a new window opens on the Desktop with a text field for entry (like a login window, for instance).
Very frequently, when I type the login, the first letter doesn't appear.
I'm running Mac OS X 10.4.10, I really didn't notice which OS X 10.4 update started this problem, but it's definitely just appeared since I've been running Mac OS X 10.4.
John Bastin
bastinj@gmail.com
PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.67GHz)
1 GB RAM
100 GB HD
Mac OS X 10.4.10
The missing first character problem occurs with an external keyboard. [MacBook Pro 15" (MacBookPro2,2), Microsoft Wireless Multimedia keyboard] I just noticed it recently and thought it was the external keyboard, but then it happened today in Mail using the MacBook Pro keyboard at about the same time I saw this thread on MacFixit.
I've been having this "first letter missing" issue from time to time for YEARS on my old iMacG4 800 MHz 17" LCD.....
(by example when I enter a search request in the Google search field of Safari....)
Interesting. Since the iMac doesn't have a trackpad, that either means this problem isn't due to some interaction with the "ignore accidental trackpad input" setting, or that it's not always caused by it, and has other causes too, so that each user might need a different fix, so that whatever Apple comes up with as their official fix, it might not (and probably won't) work for everyone, requiring the other approaches mentioned here to be tried too (clearing font caches, creating a new user account, etc.).
tried these 'remedies' it didn't work
If Apple really acknowledges this it should do something about it. It is very annoying!
- by hydehoho October 19, 2007 11:25 AM PDT
- This is not just MacBook Pro. I have a regular ol' Macbook and the MacBook Keyboard fails, however my external keyboard works fine.
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