Causes and solutions related to keys that actually are, or appear to be, stuck on a PowerBook or iBook keyboard.

If a device goes over this amount, it could cause the computer not to recognize the internal keyboard. For more information, see:

• article 24102: " ADB Devices: Power Requirements Cause Intermittent Failure "
• article 58391: " PowerBook G3 Series (Bronze Keyboard): Power Available Through USB Port "

• When the numeric keypad is enabled, only allows keys which are mapped to the numeric keypad generate characters on screen. If a key does not have a bronze character on it, indicating that the key works when the numeric keypad is enabled, nothing will be generated on screen when that key is pressed.

  You may use the Key Caps Desk Accessory in the Apple menu to see which keys are active when the numeric keypad is enabled. Refer to article 58327: " PowerBook: Using the Multi-Function Keyboard " for more information on disabling the numeric keypad function.

• If you hear an audible beep or see the menubar flash (if you have your sound turned off), you may have enabled some features of a program called Easy Access. Easy Access is a control panel that can be installed to assist some disabled persons. Open the Easy Access control panel in the Apple menu and make sure that all of its features are turned off.
• Some applications do not support all the keys on the keyboard. If this only happens in a certain program with certain keys, you may want to refer to the documentation for the software to find out if the key in question is supported. To verify that it is program specific, you can open the Key Caps under the Apple menu and make sure the keys work there.
• To determine if the issue is an extension conflict, restart with extensions off (press the shift key with Mac OS 7.x or greater while the machine is starting up) and see if the same issue occurs. If it does not then the issue could be an extension. For more information see article 16473: " Mac OS: Troubleshooting Startup Problems ".

4. It is possible that debris may have fallen into your keyboard and is preventing the key from being depressed. With the Key Caps window open, try tapping the key several times to see if it becomes unstuck. One of the best ways to clean the keyboard is to use compressed air specifically designed for cleaning electronics. Under no circumstances should one use liquid to clean the keyboard.

5. This could be a hardware issue. If you need to use the computer until you can have it serviced, you may be able to attach an external keyboard to the computer. Some PowerBook models support ADB while others support USB. Refer to your PowerBook user's manual if you are uncertain which mouse and keyboard type you should use.