UPDATE: Scott Rafer solved my problem in about two seconds. The same problem the Apple Care support ($345) could only recommend I reinstall my OS. The solution was unclicking a Universal Access setting that I never turned on. Oh Apple, you’re so much better than this.

Sunday I ran the recommended operating system updates for my Apple MacBookPro and I now am subjected to a iconic display in my monitor each time I press the shift, function, control, option or command key. The above image is from a screen shot of four such keys concurrently pressed. It also makes an annoying chirp sound which I’m supressing by muting system audio. But the worst part is when I inadvertantly double click one of those keys it is locked and all ensuing key stroke are as if done in concurrency with the locked key. I’m a lousy typer so the last thing I need is a new key glitch to slow me down.

Today I paid for apple care ($345) to get tech support (as I was beyond the free 90 days) and they’ve determined it’s an operating system problem they are not familiar with and they say to fix it I can simply reinstal my operating system and then reinstall all my other software. I use Superduper so I could easily rebuild a complete copy of my computer that is two weeks old, though I would have to recall and save off all files, new bookmarks, calendar changes, etc. made since then.) But once I do that I won’t be able to update the OS again, or risk it happening again.

So here I type with icons flashing on my screen, like real-time hieroglypihcs translations. I’ve actually started training myself to see if they key is in lock position (the icon is brighter) and coping with it, but Apple, if this is your doing, as an emotionally connectected customer I’m hurt.

I’ve scoured the web for help without avail, but if anyone out there has any idea what is causing this or how to get rid of it, they’ll be an Amazon gift certificate with your name on it.