Hey guys. So, I recently bought a new laptop. I just opened up the MaxScript Editor for the first time, and discovered that pressing the Enter key, rather than creating a line-break, is evaluating my code.
The num-pad Enter key is also still evaluating my code, as is Shift-Enter. I cannot figure out what is happening here or how to go about fixing it, and I currently cannot create a new line-break! Pressing the Esc key in the Editor also is not interrupting, so I assume it is broken as well.
It still works as expected in the Listener; it is only happening in the Editor. I am also not running into anything weird like this in any other programs. I am assuming its something to do with my keyboard setup, but I am not really sure what to do to fix it.
Does anybody have any suggestions for how to fix this or what might be wrong? I am having the issue in Max 2009 and 2010 (only two I have installed), and I am running Windows 7 64-bit.
I assume there is also a possibility that there are some options somewhere in Max that somehow got toggled and changed my hotkeys for the Editor, but I would be surprised if that is what is happening.
EDIT: For the record, I have already tried restarting my computer. Didn’t fix it :(.
When it comes to keyboard entry issues, I have to ask – are you using an English keyboard with US Layout or possibly a French one with French / Canadian Layout? I remember issues around Max 3/4 with German keyboards where some special key combinations would cause problems in the Editor.
Just a shot in the dark, really.
Hey Bobo. Thanks for the reply. Shots in the dark are all I have to go on now, so its much appreciated.
I had the option of a French/Canadian Layout, when it came to hardware, when I was buying the laptop. In my regional settings I had my keyboard set to English (Canada), Keyboard -> US. I tried changing to English (United States), Keyboard -> US, just to test, but it made no difference. I’m guessing the only thing that really matters here is the Keyboard -> US part, but I really don’t have much knowledge in this area. I’ve always just set it to English (Canada), Keyboard -> US and then never had to worry about it again. Maybe I am doing something wrong here.
I remember earlier in the week I actually did run into something once where I toggled something with my keyboard and my question mark was no longer typing a question mark. I can’t remember exactly what it was putting instead, but I think it might have looked like an upside down capital B. In that case all I had to do was reboot my machine and it was fixed. I think what happened in that case was, by default, my computer had more than one keyboard layout assigned in the regional settings and also had Left Alt + Shift set as a hotkey to toggle languages/layouts. I am guessing I accidentally toggled the language, but didn’t know this existed at the time, so did not attempt to re-create.
I’m going to keep trying to fix it, but I am already out of ideas. I welcome any other creative ideas anybody has to offer. I am thoroughly stumped. It would really suck if I cannot script on my laptop :(.
I just had a bit of a breakthrough on this problem. I still don’t know what is going on, but I found that holding the Fn key will get it to work. Fn + Enter will start a new line, while Fn + Esc in the Listener will create an interruption.
I don’t know why the Fn key needs to be pressed, but I think that gets Max off the hook. Not sure if this is something with Windows 7 or my keyboard settings or my hardware or what. At least I have a workaround for the time being. Might be time for a call to Dell to see what they have to say.
So, now that I have a little more information to go on with this Fn key discovery, searching Dell’s technical support section has returned a lot of people experiencing this same issue. Most of the reports are of people not being able to join online games with their new gaming laptops because the enter key is registering as the NumPad enter key.
I found another article that Dell wrote talking about how the NumPad number keys aren’t working unless holding down the Fn key. This is apparently because of an option they are setting when manufacturing the laptops. Seems like a weird design choice.
Still have yet to find a solution, but just thought I’d update to let people know I’ve found the source of the issue and can pretty much confirm now that is related to Dell (don’t want to say 100% until it has been resolved).
I’m sure you’ve tried it already but I think I’ve had the same issue and hitting the insert key solves the problem. I’m using a crappy Packard Bell but it may be the same problem
Hey, thanks for the suggestion Jamell. Just tried it out, and unfortunately the Insert key is just the Insert key for me. It doesn’t seem to be making a difference.
I found another post on Dell’s forums from some guy with the same model computer as me who was having the same issue with Adobe programs such as Photoshop and InDesign. He received no replies about the issue.
I spoke with Dell technical support and they just told me the keyboard is working as designed and shipped a replacement keyboard incase a button is stuck or something. I’m afraid that by trying to replace the keyboard will void the warranties, so I’m just going to send it back. I’ll be able to live with having to remember to disable NumLock.
Is there something in the BIOS settings that can be changed?
I found a page for another model laptop in Dell’s support area that was describing a problem that sounded just like what I was experiencing. The steps to fix included changing a setting in the Bios, but unfortunately the steps did not work with my model laptop. Once in the bios, what they were describing was completely different from what I was seeing. I still looked for any settings that may have been similar to what they were describing, but could not find anything.
Thats when I contacted technical support and they told me my keyboard was working as designed. I haven’t been on any other computers that work like this though. NumLock has never toggled my Enter/Escape keys. Maybe I just haven’t used enough computers.