Get(ActiveModifierKeys) stopped working

[winklestork]

I have been using Get(ActiveModifierKeys) to take me to an alternate layout at login, exit loops, etc. But it recently stopped working, I didn't notice when. Perhaps a software update from Apple broke it, or perhaps a preference got changed somewhere, but I can't figure it out. Whereas I believe the following test script would have told me which keys are pressed, now it always displays n = 0.

Set Variable [$count; Value:0]

Loop

    Set Variable [$count; Value: $count + 1]

    Set Field [ table::global_text_field; $count & " = " & Get(ActiveModifierKeys) )]

    Pause/Resume Script [ Duratin (seconds) 1]

    Refresh Window []

End Loop

Also, holding down the shift key while dragging objects no longer keeps them locked on one axis. I've been a Mac user forever and this has me puzzled. Is it a FileMaker issue or a MacOS issue?

MacBook Pro running lastest updates (Mac OS 10.4.8, FMPA 8.5v1))

[winklestork]

Someone else has complained about this too. FMP8.5A does NOT recognize modifier keys at all on my Mac. It's been several months and no resolution. I've even reinstalled.

The other problem report that I could find: http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/186919/post/251116/#251116

Edited July 16, 2007 by Guest

[Vaughan]

Have you tried deleting the preferences in the ~/Library folder?

A simple test might be to create a new account and see if FMP wotks as expected.

[winklestork]

Deleting the entire '~Library/Preferences/FileMaker Preferences' folder altogether does NOT solve the problem. Neither does deleting com.filemaker.*

HOWEVER, running FMP8A from another account does!

My simple test, with no database open, is to open the dataviewer and monitor get(ActiveModifierKeys) while pressing different modifier keys and refreshing the window. In never changes from 0 in my account and reflects the proper keycode in the test account.

So, it sounds like a preference, but not FileMaker's. Any other ideas?

Edited July 18, 2007 by Guest

[Fenton]

It certainly works for me, FileMaker 8.5 Advanced (and I'm sure in FileMaker 8 Adv. also, as I ran it for a time), 10.4.9 (which you might try; 10.4.8 was, I think, buggier; as is 10.4.10, from what I've read), iMac Intel.

The fact that it works with another OS account means, as you think, that it's something running only with your account. There are a lot of apps, freeware/shareware, that look for modifier keys. If some of them are loading as Login Items for your Account (System Preferences Preference Pane), maybe one of them is too aggressive capturing keys. You could try removing them and restarting. If one of them is the problem, and it is configurable, remove its "hot keys".

I can't imagine that one of them would run with only a modifier key, but it's possible. But then you'd see something happening, I would think.

These are just stabs in the dark. But it is obviously something like that -|

[Kevin Smith]

Hi

Just to let you know I experienced the same problem in FM Advanced 11 and 10. After rebooting things were back to normal. Phew.

Kevin Smith

[Vaughan]

FMP 8.0 is NOT compatible with 10.5. I think the earliest version is FMP 8.5v2.

[winklestork]

The problem was not resolved when I upgraded to FMP 10 and then FMP 11 in MY ACCOUNT. When I created a new MacOS account, it worked fine. That's why I was suspecting preferences. Then I systematically removed all extensions until I found the culprit -- Application Enhancer. Problem resolved.