F-Key Problems (Style Variations)

[Roger]

When applying Character Style Variations using the F-keys, the first 3 work fine (F1, F2, F3), but F4, F5, and F6 do nothing, while F7 and F8 work normally again.

When I apply the Variations via the Character Style panel (A, B, C, D, etc.) they all work as expected.

Where can I look to see what has hijacked my F4-F6 keys. Keyboard shortcuts (in the System Preferences) does not show those keys in use.

Thanks!

[ozean]

Maybe you can try Service Scrubber?

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/20 ... e-scrubber

[Timotheus]

I do have the same problem as Roger, but for some strange reason only on my desktop, not on my laptop (both run the same version of the OS - X.5.4 - and the same version of Mellel).

[Roger]

Thanks for the note on Service Scrubber, but it did not reveal any Service using my F-Keys. Any more ideas?

[riccardo]

From my perspective, the F-Key problem is the F-Key. Don't you just love trying to hit those tiny F-Keys on the iBook all day long?! I get the intellectual elegance behind the F-Key concept, but in practice it's a pain in the, uh, fingertips. Sorry if this is a little off-topic, but I couldn't resist the opening.

[Roger]

My computer was desperately in need of more storage space, so when I upgraded the hard drive and did a clean install of the OS, my F-Key problems disappeared and F1 through F8 are functional again. I never figured out what was interfering with them.

[Ori Redler]

When applying Character Style Variations using the F-keys, the first 3 work fine (F1, F2, F3), but F4, F5, and F6 do nothing, while F7 and F8 work normally again.

When I apply the Variations via the Character Style panel (A, B, C, D, etc.) they all work as expected.

Where can I look to see what has hijacked my F4-F6 keys. Keyboard shortcuts (in the System Preferences) does not show those keys in use.

Thanks!

I doubt if this is related to Mellel. It's probably some other application hi-jacking this. The comment about the F-keys being annoying, well, is another story. They Are annoying.

[rpcameron]

There is a setting in the Keyboard page of the Keyboard & Mouse Preference Pane for "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys." If this option is not selected, you have to use the "fn" key on the keyboard in conjunction with the desired function key. This is not only the case for laptops, but also for those using the new aluminum keyboards (wired and wireless). This could be a source of your problem, as well. If this is the problem, select the option, so you would have to use the "fn" key to access the printed functions of the keys (play, pause, volume, &c.).

[Roger]

rpcameron, I'm using one ofe the older full size keyboard (that does not even have a "fn" key. But that is great information for when I might need a new keyboard! Thanks. As I mentioned earlier, the problem was solved with a clean install. It must have been some program that had hijacked those keys for its own purposes.