Aluminum keyboard and KVM

I use a Mac Pro with two Cinema displays; when I want to use my MacBook Pro as well, I move the DVI connector from the second display onto the MacBook, and use an IoGear GCS632U KVM to switch the keyboard and mouse between the MP and the MBP. This works well with the white/clear plastic keyboard that came with the Mac Pro; I use the alternate port switching with <CTRL><CTRL>.
I just bought an aluminum keyboard for the cool factor, which works fine when plugged into the USB port on the front of the Mac Pro. However, the IoGear does not recognize it; I can't type when the KVM is set to the Mac Pro, I cannot switch between ports using the control, and I can't invoke HotKey mode with the Clear and keys. The latest keyboard software update on the Apple site is 1.2, but after I downloaded it, it told me that my current software is more recent than that.
Is there a known incompatibility with the IoGear switch? Or should I return my aluminum keyboard?
Thanks!

I have a similar setup, except I have the GCS1734 and I switching between two macs and 1 pc.
If I plug the new Aluminum keyboard into the rear USB ports I am able to get the keyboard to work, but not activate the KVM controls as it is supposed to if plugged into the front. When plugged into the front of the KVM it's like there's no keyboard at all. I also tried to install the latest keyboard update, but seeing that the problem exists on the hardware level with the switch I didn't expect anything, and had the same result as you did.
I'm sure it's with the KVM, but I couldn't find an upgrade anywhere. I'll call IOGEAR tomorrow and ask.
For the record, this switch is highly compatible from what I can tell. I've used it with probably 10 keyboards of all makes and models over the years including several apple variations with absolutely no problems including all of the special apple keys (volume, eject, etc). I don't see what would be different here. Why would apple make a non-standard keyboard. I really think you'd have to state that it's not going to work where all other keyboards before it have. Silly. It's a shame cause I really like they keyboard, but I can't give up ability to switch via KVM.
Brad

Similar Messages

Apple Aluminum Keyboard and 23" cinema Display and MacBook Pro??

Hello there
I have just purchased an Apple Aluminum Keyboard and have and MacBook Pro with and 23" cinema display, and if i try to connect the keyboard to my cinema display via USB the keyboard don't work.
i have an Apple mighty mouse that works fine wen connected to the USB port on the display...
why is it not working...

have you tried a different USB port on the ACD? Maybe the one you used was defective? I run a 7-port bus off one of the USB ports for all my hardware. OTOH, I do use bluetooth mouse and keyboard!

Aluminum Keyboard and Static

I have a new iMac with the new aluminum keyboard. It's wintertime, which means there's a lot of static in my place. I've already been shocked several times today touching the aluminum part of the keyboard.
Usually, during the winter, I try to discharge the static by touching some metal prior to sitting down at my computer, but it also takes a bit of time to get it through my head to do it each year.
What's the risk of damaging my keyboard and/or Mac if I forget and get shocked off of the aluminum part of the keyboard?

Well I went to close my lap top screen and soon as I touched the the uper left corner to close I discharged static and the screen went black instantly. I have discharged before when touching my MBP and never had a problem but this time it felt like the shock was much stonger. I rebooted my macbook pro and everything appeared ok. But when I got to work (I rund dual screens at work) video would not go to my external monitor. I think I may have damaged something. Fortunaly that is the only thing wrong at this time.

Aluminum Keyboard and Exposé

I hope I'm just missing something obvious. Love the new aluminum keyboard, but is there now just one Exposé option? I'm a regular user of the old F9 (all windows), F10 (application windows), and F11 (desktop) Exposé functions. Not only is it handy, it's a very showy way to dazzle the Windows folks.
The new keyboards have a single Exposé key that appears to do just the application windows part. There's also no fn modifier key like there is on the laptops. Can't find any documentation or instructions on the keyboard.
Am I missing it?

I've found a few ways to accomplish this:
1) use the fn key (left of the HOME button) -- press and hold while using the F9, F10, F11 as usual
2) press the new Expose key while holding down the command key to get the F11 (Desktop) function; hold the control key down to get the F10 (App Windows) function.
This is probably documented somewhere in the Help, but I found it easier to just press buttons and see what happens
BTW, pressing option-Expose brings up the Dashboard & Expose panel in System Preferences.
Rob

Problems With Aluminum Keyboard and My Macbook

Hello! Recently I've been having major issues with my newly acquired Apple Aluminum Keyboard... It has been staggering and lagging A lot and also a few key's are failing to work on the keyboard (d and s just to name a few)
I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is Software or Hardware related issue? If anyone could help please reply back =]
Cheers,
Hamish

Call Apple support.
If the problem is hardware they will exchange the defective keyboard with a new one.

Illustrator and Apples aluminum keyboard

Hello,
Is there some kind of known issue concerning Apples new Aluminum keyboard and Illustrator (CS2)?
I can get it to recognize simple key strokes like "a" for choosing the point select tool and "p" for pen, etc, but I cannot get it work any commands. As in Command+N for a new document, Command+Z for Undo, Command+Q for Quit, etc. It simply does nothing.
The keyboard works fine in every other app, it's only in Illustrator that I'm having this problem. I reinstalled Illustrator, but that hasn't done a thing to fix it.
Is there a known issue that I might be unaware of?
I'm using CS2 on anIntel box, running 10.4.11.
Thanks for any suggestions.
-Vincent

Hey guys... I don't have any of those applications mentioned.
The Command key seems to only want to work when using it in conjunction with the space bar and turning into the Zoom tool.
This problem is concentrated within Illustrator and only there. It's pretty frustrating and slowing down my usual work pace.
Is there a way to uninstall this software, outside of just throwing things away manually?
Because it seems something is being left behind, since I never have to put in a serial number when I reinstall and start it up again.
I'd like to get rid of all traces and start from scratch with it, but can't.
Thanks for the help.
-Vincent

Apple Aluminum Keyboard slow responding after reboot

I have Leopard installed on my external firewire drive, and 10.4.1 installed on my PowerBook. Whenever I boot from one to the other I get a very slow response from my new Apple Aluminum Keyboard and my USB trackball. I have the trackball connected to the keyboard's USB port and the keyboard is plugged directly into the PowerBook. When I boot into either system it takes a good five minutes before the keyboard and trackball respond. In the meantime I have to use the keyboard on the PowerBook and the trackpad to login, etc... I also have USB Overdrive installed on both systems, but this problem developed before I installed USB Overdrive in Leopard. Any clues?

Does this new keyboard pair fine with the other computer?
I can only think of two other things given the troubleshooting that has been done so far.
This may be an OS issue (Reinstall the Mac OS) or something in or around your setup is generating interference: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1365 (doubtful as you said you used another computer and it was fine in the same area).
If you have already contacted AppleCare and the replacement keyboard did not resolve the issue you might want to give them a call back to follow-up so they can investigate the issue further.

Aluminum keyboard pairing issues

I was recently given a friend's bluetooth aluminum keyboard and when I tried to pair it with my Vista laptop, it finds the keyboard and then when I enter the passkey it fails, every time. Thinking this was a windows issues I repeated the process with their Macbook Pro: same issue. Is there a hard reset for the keyboard? Any other ideas? And yes, the batteries are new and my bluetooth drivers are up to date.

First off - thanks for the info - I already figured something like that... Too bad it doesn't say so on the aluminum keyboard's product pages... So it's a bug to me and I filed it to Apple. After what my experiences are with tech support regarding that 10.5.7 hdmi-bug desaster, I am not into that much of expectations though (sad to say)... Apple customer support had been big of a disappointment so far...

New aluminum keyboard = G5 zombie?

Normally I use ctrloptioneject to put my G5 Quad to sleep. With the new aluminum keyboard and the software update, this key combo turns the computer into a zombie. The mouse cursor disappears as expected, but the drives don't spin down and the screen stays on. Nothing but a reboot will bring it out of this state. I tried the same key combo with my previous wireless keyboard and I get the same results, leading me to believe it's a software issue.
Anyone else getting this?
thx

Ah...it seems the computer didn't like that I plugged the keyboard into my PCI-E USB card. I unplugged my iPod Shuffle dock (which was plugged into the G5's last remaining native USB port) and swapped it out with the keyboard. Now the keyboard correctly puts the machine to sleep. Odd, because I knew there were issues with USB peripherals preventing sleep, but I thought it was limited to cameras and drives, not keyboards.
Of course, now I can't put the computer to sleep with the Shuffle docked, but at least I have control over that.

My USB Apple Aluminum Keyboard is not responding during Bootcamp Install!

I am going crazy, I have had the worst experience with this Bootcamp install which is supposed to be so easy, resulting in Apple replacing my MAC pro, and I still can't get it to work on the new machine.
My first problem was using a Windows XP Pro disk, which resulted in my continually getting a black screen saying "no bootable device, press any key to restart." I ran into this problem because I overlooked the instructions to use a USB keyboard and mouse, I was using the wireless. This process resulted in Apple replaceing my MAC Pro because some how my start-up files dissappered and the MAC geniuses couldn't even reformat my drive.
After recieving the new MAC Pro, I tried to run the Boot Camp install, using the same Windows XP Pro Disk, but now with a wired USB Apple Aluminum Keyboard and USB might mouse. I was still running into the same problem, after windows finished the Install and restarted a black screen would appear "no bootable device..." After searching many forums I found that for some reason Windows XP Professional disk skip the step where you would format the drive you partioned for Windows. I found in a forum a way to address this problem by going in DOS and entering commands to tell Windows to format the drive. I was not comfortable doing this, so I thought I would take an easyier route and get a Windows XP Home edition.
All windows versions I used were OEM, but they were all full installs (fancy hologram CD) w/Service Pack to and certificates of authenticity**
I thought great now everything should go smoothly, I have Windows XP Home Edition w/SP2, I have a USB wired apple aluminum keyboard, and I have a USB wired might mouse. This has not been the case.
After I complete the Bootcamp process on my Leopard operating system and Windows XP completes loading all the file prior to begin the Install, the Windows XP Installation asks to press "Enter" to begin Install. This is the point now I can't get past, because I get no response from my keyboard. I tried every USB port on my CPU and still no response when I reach this step in the Windows Installation. I am becoming very disgruntle with Apple because the AppleCare, which I pay for, and the MAC genius will not help me with this problem because it is during the Windows Install. Please help before I flip out.

That worked after using a generic DELL PC keyboard no extra keys. Apple hustled me into buying a wired keyboard, because I had only ordered the wireless keyboard.
Thanks

Delayed Response on Wireless Aluminum Keyboard Since the Update

I just updated the firmware on my wireless aluminum keyboard and now there is an annoying noticeable delay between pressing a key and seeing it on the screen. Any ideas how to fix this?

Sorry that I can't help you with this, but FYI I have just updated the firmware on my Aluminium keyboard and haven't noticed any difference in the response.

Apple Aluminum Keyboard

I just bought a new wired apple aluminum keyboard and it says i have to install the software, so i plugged it in and i checked for a software update and it said my computer was up to date, then i went to www.apple.com/support/downloads and i found a firmware update for keyboards and i downloaded it, but when i tried to install it , it said there is already a newer version of this software on my computer. After all this the keyboard still doesn't work, so what should i do?

The only links are on http://www.apple.com/swupdates/
Some Apple peripherals ship with their software on CDs.
If yours did not, and you can't find software elsewhere on Apple's website, I suggest calling AppleCare to find out if yours had a CD and you are missing it.

Aluminum Keyboard Function Keys don't work correctly

I just bough a brand new aluminum wireless keyboard and some of the function keys aren't working, from F1 through F7. F9 works like F3 should and F12 like F5. It's so bizarre. Otherwise the keys all work fine. I've updated everything, tried working through the forums workarounds on the aluminum keyboard, and so far it didn't work for my computer. I'm pretty frustrated. Has anyone figured out the solution? I'm running 10.6.7 and have updated all my software.

One last key combo to try, while holding SHIFT fn try toglling volume brightness... and see if that works. It'a been years since I've used anything but my built in keyboard.
At this point Run software update with the keyboard connected and see if there may be an update for that.
Try a SMC reset:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord.
Wait fifteen seconds.
Attach the computer's power cord.
Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.
try a pram reset:
Resetting NVRAM / PRAM
Shut down your Mac.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.
After resetting NVRAM or PRAM, you may need to reconfigure your settings for speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, and time zone information. If issues persist, your Mac's logic board battery (not a portable Mac's rechargeable battery) may need to be replaced. The logic board battery helps retain NVRAM/PRAM settings when your computer is shut down. You can take your Mac to a Mac Genius or Apple Authorized Service Provider to replace the battery on the logic board.
If still no joy, contact Apple, or go to the store and find out what you may need to do, This was the bullet in my gun, I'm sorry I could not resolve this for you.It's probably something simple, or maybe your machine is too old to suport this device.
Best of luck.
If they get you going, please post back so others may find out the fix:>

Annoying problem with aluminum keyboard

i recently bought the new aluminum keyboard and i love it except for a couple of things:
i really liked where the volume and brightness controls were on my old keyboard. i have searched high and dry to see how to move the volume controls from F10-F12 to F16-F19, and the brightness controls from F1-F2 to F14-F15. the reason i want to remap these keys is not only for convenience, but also because i need the F1-F12 keys free.
now, you will probably remind me that in the Keyboard & Mouse preferences, there is an option to use the F keys as standard keys (meaning that if i wanted to use the brightness/media/volume) i would need to hold down the fh key, but this is a huge inconvenience to do, and i would like them back in their respective places.
how is it possible to 1. remap the mentioned controls to where they used to be? and 2. not have to hold down the fn key to press them?
i would greatly appreciate any help on this, as it is frustrating me by the hour.

thanks for the reply but unfortunately that program only allows you to open apps/folders when keys are remapped.
i don't see what would be so hard about writing a program that did the following:
- recognize a command from your keyboard (fn + f10 = mute audio)
- create a new shortcut for this command (f17)
so it will read: replace f17 with the function of fn + f10
guess i will have to keep waiting..........

IOGear KVM + Apple aluminum keyboard + Bootcamp + Win7 - SOLVED

I've read many posts from people who had the same problem I encountered: the Apple aluminum keyboard does not work with the IOGear KVM on a Mac under bootcamp. Everything works perfectly on all other PCs, and everything works perfectly on the mac with bootcamp/win7 using any keyboard other than the apple aluminum keyboard.
The symptoms are that the mac/bootcamp/win7/ combination simply does not seem to recognize the apple aluminum keyboard: the caps lock light does not work and typing seems to do nothing -- although the keyboard still works to toggle the KVM between systems. With some hardware combinations, the keyboard may be temporarlily recognized after a cold start, but the problem always returns with switching between systems. I first noticed this behavior with Win7 and the bootcamp upgrades (in my case, 3.2). In my case the problem occurs with a wired aluminum keyboard, but I think a wireless keyboard would exactly the same.
I have found what I believe is the root cause and the solution.
=========
The cause
=========
The cause is a failure to properly detect the type of machine attached to a KVM port: by default, the KVM auto-detects which kind of machine is attached to each port and auto-switches that port to PC mode, Sun mode, or Mac mode. Usually this works fine, but something in the latest OSX/bootcamp/win7 drivers causes the Mac to appear to the KVM as a PC, so the KVM attempts to present the apple keyboard as if it were a PC keyboard.
I'm guessing that this whole issue might be associated with the new ability for bootcamp to let you switch the behavior of the top row of function keys between apple behavior and PC behavior -- which obviously introduces an emulation layer -- but I could be wrong. If there is anybody who has this same problem without bootcamp installed then it could be a more generic driver issue. Fortunately that doesn't matter, because the solution is the same in either case.
============
The Solution
============
All these IOGear autoswitching KVMs share the same logic, so this method should work for all. The manual for one of the simpler models of IOGear KVM is available at www.iogear.com/support/manual/GCS634U.pdf
The first thing to know is that the manual is incorrect in its description of how to use the numeric keypad to enter hot-key-mode (HKM): the manual says to hold down the "clear" key for 2 seconds, then add the "-" key for one second, then release the minus key and the clear key in quick succession. Unfortunately, this technique rarely works: one second is much too long to hold down the minus key. Instead, hold down the "clear" key for a few seconds, then just tap the "minus" key as quickly as you can, and then release the "clear key." You will see the LED flash on the capslock key, and you are now in HKM mode and can change settings on the KVM. To fix your problem you simply need to execute (HKM) (F2) on the proper port as described below.
First switch your KVM so it shows the screen of the Mac where you are having keyboard recognition problems: the correct port will now be "active" on the KVM. Put the KVM into hotkey mode and press F2 -- this will override the default autodetect setting for this port, and will set it directly to Macintosh mode. Your keyboard will immediately be recogized (and the capslock light will work!). The KVM will remember this until you change it or reset it to its factory configuration.
If you need to troubleshoot you can use another hotkey combination to print out the current settings of the KVM: open a text editor and position the cursor inside it for typing, then execute (HKM)(F4) -- the KVM will "type" its current settings. Here are mine on a 2-port KVM immediately after setting my Mac Mini port
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
hotkey:
(num lock)+(-) and (ctrl),(ctrl)
os setting:
port1 pc
port2 mac
kb:
port1 english
port2 english
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
It took me two whole days to research and test and resolve this problem, and I've read many other posts from people who couldn't find a solution & went out and bought new keyboards or different types of KVMs. I hope this posting can help somebody else avoid that difficulty.
Good luck!
-- Craig

I've read many posts from people who had the same problem I encountered: t
Perhaps then you should respond to those posts instead of posting a one-off solution here that they may not see...

Aluminum keyboard and KVM

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for