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Sticky key sound

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Angel -  
_Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -
Hello,

Configuration: Mac OS X / Safari 533.22.3

When I start my Mac, I hear a "drumming" sound as if a key is stuck.
At that moment, when I try to open a software, the highlighting (for selection) goes all over the place.
What's strange is that to stop this symptom, I press any key. It stops for a while. Then I can access my emails or other programs without any problem.
However, when I want to enter the toolbar again: the same symptom...
I cleaned my keyboard - it was fine for a few days - and then it comes back.
Does anyone know what this could be?
Thank you

2 answers

  1.
    _Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 135
     
    It would be good to specify the Mac model...
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  2. Angel
     
    it is a Mac OS X
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    1. _Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 135
       
      Humm, humm
      How to say? It's like you were calling your mechanic and saying:
      you: "Hello, my car is making noise. Do you know what that could be?"
      him: "What kind of car do you have?"
      you: "It's blue!"
      him: "But what else?"
      you: "It's a gasoline model!"
      him: "Beep... beep... beep..." (he hung up)
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    2. Angel
       
      sorry - I will try to be more complete.
      Mac OS X - Version 10.5.8 - Intel Core 2 Duo Processor - 4GB - Startup Disk Macintosh HD - iMac
      Wireless mouse - aluminum keyboard
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    3. _Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 135
       
      In fact, what I wanted to know was whether your Mac is a MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini, or iMac.
      Why?
      You have a keyboard problem.
      If it’s a laptop, it’s difficult to change it to do some tests, which is much simpler with an iMac or a Mac Pro or a Mac mini, whose keyboard is an external element connected via USB or Bluetooth.

      Following your last answer, we learn that you have an iMac with an aluminum keyboard.

      The question we can then ask is:
      “Does this drumming noise come from the keyboard or from the iMac?

      => action:
      Turn off the iMac and unplug the keyboard, then restart the iMac.
      Is the drumming noise still there?
      No: then do it again just to be sure.
      Yes: then I think it’s either the CD/DVD drive (a poorly balanced CD/DVD is still inside) or the hard drive.

      Ritchi
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    4. Angel
       
      Indeed - I did what you told me and the noise is still there - present since I turned on the iMac. As soon as I press the keys, the noise disappears.
      Reading your response: "Yes: I then think either of the CD/DVD drive (a misbalanced CD/DVD is stuck inside) or the hard drive."
      It makes me think that for some time now, on the "desktop" - to the right - under the Macintosh HD icon, Backup copies Time Machine - I have an additional icon appearing: Burn folder.
      Even though I've never burned anything. I can't remove this icon and I don't know where it came from.
      Is there any connection?
      I had a game CD inserted in the drive - I took it out too.
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    5. _Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 135
       
      If there is a CD/DVD in the drive, then the noise is "normal" when starting up the Mac: it detects the inserted CD/DVD and consequently starts the drive to check if it contains a Mac OS X system. If this CD is improperly balanced (for example, if it has a label or, as libraries do, has an anti-theft tag stuck to it), then the drive spinning the CD/DVD at high speed can produce these loud vibrations.

      As for the presence of the "Burn" folder on the desktop, it is unrelated. Such a folder is created through the Finder menu -> File -> New burn folder.
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