Stopping modifier keys from modifying 1

[EdFredenburgh]

I have an ongoing problem with modifier keys acting when they shouldn't. I'll be typing a document – in Mail, InDesign, Illustrator, whatever – and the keyboard will suddenly start typing all-caps, or all-symbols; or modifier keys won't perform their usual functions: eg Command-W won't close a window, Command-N won't open a new document or window, Command-tab won't cycle between open apps, Command-Q won't quit an app, Control-click won't drop down contextual menus. You get the idea.
To remove the problem I have to find which key thinks it's been activated, and press it once. This is a real slowing pain, and I can't find why it's doing it, and how to stop it.
I'm running Tiger 4.2 on a 17" PowerBook. SO grateful for any suggestions.

 

[ObviousTroll]

Sounds like an intermittent short in your keyboard, which is a shame because they aren't really repairable.

If you've got Applecare, I'd go to the apple store and make them replace the kb.

 

[EdFredenburgh]

Lateral thinking! Thanks for that – I'm off to the Apple Store on Monday.

 

[EdFredenburgh]

It isn't a keyboard short. I get the same problem using a Bluetooth wireless keyboard. Maybe I should throw away some preference files, but I'm not sure what. Any ideas? (and am I the only person who's ever had this time-wasting problem?)

 

[ObviousTroll]

Hrm.

The only other thing that comes to mind is an application that is modifying your keyboard behavior - some kind of pop-up or hotkey management app.

I really can't think of anything else.