Apple aluminum keyboard brightness keys

Just bought a apple aluminum keyboard (wired, not wireless) and hooked it up to my Macbook Pro which has all the latest system updates. The Macbook is connected to a Samsung SyncMaster 213T. Everything seems to work fine except that the F1 and F2 keys, which are supposed to control the brightness don't do anything. Before taking the keyboard back for an exchange, I thought I would ask here if there are any tricks I should try...like turning something on or off?

Hi,
I believe you can control how the F keys are intepreted via the System Preferences under the keyboard preferences. I think you have the option to set whether or not to require pressing Function at the same time as the F key to control system functions. You might want to try pressing Function + F1 and Function + F2.
I am also not sure you can contol the brightness of a non-Apple-brand external monitor with the F keys. On the MacBook, the F keys control the backlight level as opposed to modifying the video signal's brightness characteristics. An external monitor's backlight level is usually set to a fixed level.
Bill

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Apple Wireless Keyboard brightness keys not functioning since 10.8.4

Hey all,
since the new update, I've been experiencing several malfunctions, among which the two brightness keys on the Apple Wireless Keyboard. Every other key seems to be working as usual.
I tried resetting the P-Ram, but nothing changed.
Any hints?
Thanks,
Z
Setup:
MacBook Pro 13", Apple Thunderbolt Display, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Apple Trackpad

Reset the SMC > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
If it doesn't work, reinstall OS X 10.8.4 through the Combo edition > http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1659 This will reinstall everything which was updated in 10.8.4, so it should fix this issue

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I'm in the process of reconfiguring our old Mac Mini to run some of our old games that no longer run on the newer Macs. We had a spare Apple aluminum keyboard (without the numeric keypad) which I thought I'd use with the Mini. The alphanumeric keys work fine, but the function keys don't seem to. (In particular, I can't get the volume keys to work.)
I've checked my keyboard settings in System Preferences. Software Update shows everything up-to-date.
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Hi,
am I right in assuming that you are talking about the Wireless Aluminum Apple keyboard ?
If so, the 2009 version of it requires OSx Leopard 10.5.8 to work properly.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1809
The 2007 version of that keyboard requires at least OSX Tiger 10.4.10 plus this keyboard software update http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2394
Maybe downloading and apllying the update can help.
Regards
Stefan

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I have an Apple Aluminum Keyboard (MB110LL/A), the original model with numeric keypad for Tiger 10.4.8 + above. I am using it on an iMac G5,1.9, 17", iSight computer. I have the newest firmware for the keyboard. While some of the upper row of keys are functioning as the diagrams on each key shows, I want to know if there is someway I can program all the top row keys the way I want? I am not much of a techie so if you can please give me a point by point tutorial or point me to a link on how to accomplish this? Thanks, Ken.

The function of those "F-Keys" is controlled by a setting in System Preferences Keyboard pane. I don't know remember it's there in Tiger, but it is a checkbox that says Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys. If that is NOT checked, the keys should use the function of the "diagram." If some do not work, it is likely that functionality did not exist with Tiger.
If you check that checkbox, they will work as standard F-keys. Then you may be able to use System Preferences Keyboard pane Keyboard Shortcuts tab to set the F-keys to specific functions. To use the "other" printed on key function, press the Fn (function) key while pressing the F-key.

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.
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= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
hotkey:
(num lock)+(-) and (ctrl),(ctrl)
os setting:
port1 pc
port2 mac
kb:
port1 english
port2 english
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
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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...

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.
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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.
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Does this new keyboard pair fine with the other computer?
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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...
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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!

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The only links are on http://www.apple.com/swupdates/
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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.

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If I read this correctly, you need to add the device as a separate connection. The little + icon at bottom left in System Preferences > Network will allow you to do this. Then when you connect, you may need to select that specific connection. Also adding a location (instead of Automatic) may also effect this easily. That way, the two iPhones are isolated from each other.

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Many of us have had the same problem - a sad limitation to an otherwise nice keyboard. Come on Apple - surely you can do better!!

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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.
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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.
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If they get you going, please post back so others may find out the fix:>

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Hello k:
Welcome to Apple discussions.
Out of curiosity, in system preferences>keyboard is the f1..f2… box checked?
Barry

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wrote this in another thread, but it is relevant here, too.
Wanting to buy a keyboard and reading this thread (and others), I went to a local Best Buy. They had quite a few of the wireless keyboards out. They had MC184LL(A) models and (B) models.
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Hi Jacob,
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http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_7_ComboUpdate
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