Chosen Solution

My left SHIFT-key is broken. It behaves like it would always be pressed. So the Computer always starts in the secure mode which is awfull. At first I tried with little access to remove the key and lift and to bring some distance between the layers of the key. It worked only for two hours and could be repeated only twice. A new keyboard installed by the german apple-service would cost me more than 500 bucks. Is there any possibility even with the loss of the left SHIFT-key to fix the problem. Is the only way to fix it to change the uppercase? Is there any software-solution for my problem?

George; have you piped the left shift key off yet? I do not know of a software fix and the keyboard replacement is the first and expensive fix. But if you are willing to run without the left Shift key you should pop it off and lift the membrane under the key to expose space between the connector.

Cheap fix

  • train yourself to use Caps lock to replace left shift key. There are several OSX key remapping apps, you could try remapping that key to a control-option strike (closer reach than caps lock - might be easier to retrain). Lastly since this is a DIY board you could try purchasing a used/replacement top case/keyboard and DIY. Good Luck, N.

Hello, Would this mapping tools prevent the system from listening to shift key inputs? Because I’m having the same probs and i’m not sure which shift key is broken (perhaps something else is wrong, happened because of spilling a drink on it on the left side), so i would have to kill them both shift keys going first for the left one? If I use expose or dashboard the tweens/transitions are extremely slow (as being heavily interrupted), same goes for minimize etc. But when i plug in an external keyboard, press a key, the built in keyboard seems to lose all control and all system tweens/transisitons run smooth and fast again. I read someplace that somebody was refering to clearing pram by running some low level commands, is this still applicable to the most modern white unibody MacBook available today? Also it appears that the trackpad still clicks but its not registering the click. I looked inside even removed the accu and harddisk but no signs of extreme floods. Regards, Jeroen v Goor