Apple USB keyboard with iBook defeats keyboard inputs - software issue?

A couple days ago I bought an Apple USB (corded) keyboard for use with my iBook G4 running 10.4.10. At first the keyboard seemed just fine, but I think I may have hit some key combination with it that defeats the letter functions of both the built in keyboard and the usb keyboard. The number keys and function keys seem to work fine, but the letter keys are switched to other functions (for example, some of them input blank spaces). It also changes the way the mouse functions - I have to hold down the control key for it to "click." The lack of functionality returns as soon as I plug the keyboard back in before powering on.
The problem persists after I unplug the usb keyboard, and only a cold reboot works to restore normal function to the onboard keyboard. My impression is that this is a software switch I somehow toggled, or the usb keyboard is just bad. I've tried toggling num lock, but that doesn't appear to be the issue.
Thanks for your input.

This is a hardware issue having to do with the USB connection of your keyboard. The mouse could still work as you are plugging in into a seperate USB bus. It would be wiser in my opinion to purchase another keyboard rather then investing any money in potentially fixing it.

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Hi,
I have a Mac Mini macOS 10.5.8
I just bought an apple USB keyboard with numerci keypad (aluminium) and am having problems
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etc....
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If i look at the Keyboard Visualizer (top right) it displays a keyboard that does NOT look like mine, it is smaller.
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ok thanks for the tip and yes i admit i didn't see that...
but it seems a little weird to have to upgrade all the OS to Snow Leopard just to use a keyboard.
That kind of new device should be configured through a driver to download...shouldn't it ?
I presume there's no keyboard driver that can solve my problem.. ?
so you confirm that if i pay for Snow Leopard and upgrade my OS, my keyword will definitely work correctly with my Mac Mini ?
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I have the same problem as described by Sweboss on November 15th, 2012. The Apple USB keyboard is working perfectly, but if I shut down the computer, when I switch it on again, the USB keyboard does not respond, and the computer is looking for a Bluetooth keyboard (which I had before). I have tried switching off, unplugging all peripherals, then unplugging the computer, waiting 15 seconds, then plug it in, wait 5 seconds (this is a remedy proposed in other mails). Switch on and the USB keyboard does not respond. It is not that particular USB port, as it works perfectly well with other peripherals like my scanner, or printer, and changing ports does not help. And when I tried it last time, I had no other USB peripherals connected. Can anyone help?

That is definitely some strange behavior, good to finally be working, but does not explain exactly what causes the behavior. Could have something to do with the energy saver part of the operating system, or a miscommunication with the USB bus itself. With multiple USB ports it would be good to test on different ports to see if that is an issue. Anyway, it is working now and that is good.
Another I don't know why but it works: a couple months ago a user was having problems with a wireless keyboard. The keyboard-iMac communication resulted in random charaters, time lag, and other bad behavior. The user finally found by accident that turning the keyboard off, removing the batteries, and then spending about five minutes just pressing keys, placing the palm of the hand on the keyboard and pressing, just pressing and pressing, and then replacing the batteries and turning on the keyboard, it worked fine. Seems like it is necessary to just force the keyboard to discharge all of the key switches. Those keyboards use capacitance switches instead of mechanical switches. So they retain a charge.
While that was a wireless keyboard, I wonder if that was what happened in a way with your keyboard...the unplugging and leaving it for a period of time, any charge may have dissipated and it would work again. If this happens again, try the above procedure and see if it helps.

After upgrading to 10.8.3 my Apple USB keyboard stops working after about 3 hours

Mac Pro 3,1
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Apple USB Keyboard works fine after reboot (typing on it now), stops responding after about 3 hours.
I see nothing in Console that looks like the culprit. Here is everything around the last time it happened - between 11:28 and 11:30 they keyboard just stopped working. Unplugging and re-plugging doesn't bring it back. Changing USB ports doesn't bring it back. Rebooting is the only thing that seems to work. Bluetooth keyboard works before and after.
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Hey Doug,
Thanks for your post, and welcome to the Apple Support Communities.
I understand that your keyboard backlight is not working upon startup, the following may resolve your issue:
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
After performing normal troubleshooting, these symptoms may indicate that an SMC reset may be necessary:
Lights
The keyboard backlight appears to behave incorrectly (on Mac computers that have this feature).
You may also want to reset your computer's PRAM:
OS X Mountain Lion: Reset your computer’s PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11243
Note: Resetting PRAM may change some system settings and preferences. Use System Preferences to restore your settings.
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Matt M.

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Hello there, IDuncan23.
The following Knowledge Base article has some great troubleshooting steps you can follow to work on resolving your keyboard issue:
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1381
Thanks for reaching Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
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SadisticIron wrote:
i just baught my first iphone and it is a jalbroken
Buzz! Thank you for playing!
Discussing jailbroken devices is forbidden here by the Terms of Service.
You can not get help here.

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hello, recently my apple usb keyboard stopped working. the usb connections on the keyboard still work but the letter buttons do not do anything anymore. is the keyboard fried or is this fixable?

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Apple USB keyboard with iBook defeats keyboard inputs - software issue?

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