Assigning key functions with aluminum keyboard?

I'd like to configure F13, F14 & F14 to open certain applications. Is that possible? How do I do it?

If you want a free macro programme try out Spark, or you can go the shareware route and get Keyboard Maestro. Search Macupdate.com or VersionTracker.com for the download links. Both Spark 3 and Keyboard Maestro 2.1.3 recognize the new aluminum keyboard.

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How do I get the fn key on the aluminum keyboard to work like Insert under Windows?

How do I get the fn key on the aluminum keyboard to work like Insert under Windows without having to press fn + Enter?
This article explains the problem but has no real solution:
Boot Camp: About keyboards and key assignment for Microsoft Windows - Apple Support

I'm not sure if you even read the first couple of posts at all. On the old Apple Pro Keyboard (white keys and translucent body), pressing the Help key resulted in exactly the same key code as the Insert key on any standard (IBM) PC keyboard. This meant that regarding this key, that Mac keyboard will work just like a PC keyboard. (I don't care much about the other keys.)
The problem is that on the current Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (white low-profile chicklet keys, ultra-slim aluminum body), the Help key is now called fn and produces a different key code than the old Help key, so that you have to press fn + Enter (on the numerical keypad) to get Insert.
This page explains the problem:
Boot Camp: About keyboards and key assignment for Microsoft Windows - Apple Support
Do you understand what I mean? It's not a software thing, it's a hardware issue in the Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, because fn is a hard-coded, not software-controlled modifier key. I have no idea if there is even a way to get around that, and that is what I am trying to find out.

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..........

Where is HELP key on new Aluminum Keyboard?

Instructions for Boot Camp tells me to use the HELP key for the INSERT command in Windows. The aluminum keyboard has no HELP key. Where is the HELP key the aluminum keyboard??

I am having the same issue but only when I run windows XP - I really would like to know how to avoid this. it seems that after about 5 mins. of using the bluetooth keyboard in XP a key just randomly starts repeating until i turn off the computer - I was not able to get it to stop any other way. (it has nothing to do with range as I am 6" from the MBP at all times)
Message was edited by: CADer

Difficulties with Aluminum Keyboard

I am unable to get my iMac to recognize keys held down at start up, such as "C", "D" or "T". I did replace the original iMac keyboard with the Apple aluminum KB.
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks,
MichaelT

Have you noticed if there were any firmware updates for your
version of Intel iMac not yet installed, which may affect the
ability of your older iMac to better use the newer keyboard?
Sometimes a software item can be found by running the
Software Update and see if some special item would be
found now the newer keyboard is attached to the Mac.
{And a very recent OS X version such as yours should be
already able to handle the current aluminum keyboard.}
Aluminum Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/firmware_hardware/aluminumkeyboardfi rmwareupdate10.html
At some point in the past when the new USB aluminum keyboard
was introduced, some users of that keyboard with older PPC Mac
and Intel Macs which shipped originally with the white polycarbon-
ate keyboards had a few issues with command and other keys.
Not sure if a power management issue or SMS/SMC reset could
help; or a less invasive PRAM reset would even work in that case.
The newer keyboard did have some software/firmware update in
some instances; but I am not sure of what products or files involved.
(More notably was the 'wireless keyboard' not being able to work
since the bluetooth wireless circuit was not hot on initial startup so
those keyboards were unable to do boot-commands; and in that
instance, the use of a USB keyboard was advised.)
In any event...
Good luck & happy computing!

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.

Startup key combinations with bluetooth keyboard?

In Lion, accessing the recovery partition entails holding down the command-R key combination at startup. Selecting a startup disk and starting up in Safe Boot mode also require holding key combinations at startup.
But under Lion and a bluetooth keyboard, none of these key combinations work. A wired keyboard works fine, but I no longer have one.
A friend who downloaded and installed Lion today just called and asked how he can do this with HIS bluetooth keyboard, so this seems to be a general concern.
Any tips? Thanks!

Some PC keyboards may map it to the Windows key, but on most it should be ALT.

Can't use tab and esc function with wireless keyboard

I've recently installed the wireless apple keyboard and it works fine when typing emails, etc., but I can't seem to scroll with the arrows, tab through emails, use the ESC button to close email messages, etc. Is this fixable?

I do not know about good specifically, but almost none do. The wireless key board is good for moving around within a text box or a document. But moving around a web page, or anything outside of the text box, is based on screen touch.
So in your case it means type an entry, touch the screen to get to the next box, type and entry. Thats just the way it works.

Two keys swapped with Logitech keyboard

Hi,
I am using a Logitech PC keyboard (dinovo). It works fine except for the fact that the keys for °^ and >< are swapped. This was the way with earlier versions of Mac OS and I recently read a review of a new logitech keyboard in a computer magazine and they mentioned the same problem.
Is there a way to fix this? All other external keyboards work fine. I also have a USB PC keyboard. No problem.
It would be great if there was a solution.
Thanks!

Yeah, because the Logitech one is a kernel extension and a preference pane, so it cannot run under Rosetta. Logitech's site does say that they are working on an Intel version, but it'll probably be a while before it sees the light of day.

SL510 0210 Stuck Key 02 with no keyboard attached

Some liquid got spilled on the keyboard. Now it gets the subject message when turning on. I have taken the keyboard out and dried it with compressed air. No success. Same error. I also attempted to start the thinkpad without the keyboard attached and still get this error. Seems strange. Any thoughts on how to proceed to get to the root problem?

I have now replaced the keyboard and still get this same error. Any thoughts on what to do next are very welcome.

Home and end key functionality on the keyboard

Hi.
i have a window with a table where the values will be populated from database.
on that table i want to make use of HOME and END and other key board functionalities on my table.
please suggest me or provide me a sample code.
thanks in advance

You must register your table to the KeyListener. A possible solution :
yourTable.addKeyListener(new java.awt.event.KeyAdapter() {
                    public void keyTyped(java.awt.event.KeyEvent e) {
                         if(e.getKeyCode()==e.VK_HOME){
                                              //do something
                    public void keyReleased(java.awt.event.KeyEvent e) {
                         System.out.println("keyReleased()");
                    public void keyPressed(java.awt.event.KeyEvent e) {
                         System.out.println("keyPressed()");
               });

List of basic keyboard key functions?

Hello. This seems like a bit of a ridiculous question, but I've searched high and low for a list of the basic keyboard functions for the new iMacs, leopard, with aluminum keyboard. Where's a list that explains what all the function keys do? I've found lists that explain all the shortcuts - that's not what I'm looking for.
Thanks.

See Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts and Startup key combinations for Intel-based Macs and Mac OS X Leopard- 200+ Productivity Booster Keyboard Shortcuts.
And, you can open the Keyboard and Mouse preferences in System Preferences, click on the Shortcuts tab.
If this isn't what you are looking for, then you haven't made your question very clear.

Intel iMac with new usb aluminum keyboard will not recognize boot options

I have a first gen Intel iMac core duo 20". After I replaced the old usb keyboard with the new aluminum usb keyboard, I can no longer boot into single-user mode, select to boot from a different volume (including boot camp), boot from a CD, or boot into target mode. All of the boot key options no longer work. These options do work with an older Apple keyboard. I have all the latest updates including the latest firmware and keyboard drivers. Help Apple, I really need to boot into these different options and with the new keyboard, I can't. I have read several other accounts of this on other sites.

I have an early 2006 intel iMac and am having the same problem with the new keyboard. Called AppleCare, who sent me to the local Apple Store after trying several minutes in vain to cure the problem.
One of the Genius's at the Apple Store pulled up Article 306893, Apple Keyboard (2007): Cannot boot to Startup Manager. This is a document that's apparently not available to the public, as I have the printed copy, but have been unable to pull it up in my searches.
The issue is some intel-based iMacs and Mac mini computers shipped prior to 2007 may not boot to the Startup Manager when holding down the Option key on the aluminum keyboard (2007).
My iMac is listed among the products affected.
The solution they offer is to follow these steps:
1. While starting the computer, point the Apple remote at the computer and hold down the Menu button. The computer should boot into the Startup manager.
2. Use the Fast Forward and Rewind buttons to select the desired boot volume.
3. Once the desired boot volume is selected, press the Play / Pause button to continue booting.
Hope this helps. It works for my system. Still doesn't solve the keyboard issue but offers an acceptable workaround.

New Aluminum Keyboard

Received new iMac keyboard today, hooked it up, downloaded Apple Keyboard Update 1.1, and rebooted. Except for the F3 and F4 keys, everything works fine. F3 only brings up Expose, and F4 only brings up Dashboard if I assign these keys appropriately in system preferences, and use fn in combo with each. This is with the option to use standard function keys turned off.
Anyone else experiencing this? Any suggestions?

www.macfixit.com posted one guys work around which fixes this problem.
I only followed steps 3 through 5 (I figured why start all the way back at the old 10.4.3 disc) and it worked! I now have a fully funtional F3 F4 keys on my aluminum keyboard.
Apple, are you listening? How about another Keyboard Update to fix this issue the right way?
MacFixIt reader Joe Mullins writes: "I fixed the dashboard and expose keys on my keyboard. The problem is apparently that Dock.app isn't getting updated properly. I fixed it using my original install disks, 10.4.10 combo updater, keyboard update and Pacifist."
Joe's process is as follows:
1. Insert Install disk for 10.4.x and open /System/Installation/Packages/Essentials.pkg/ with pacifist.
2. Within Pacifist, navigate to /System/Library/Core Services. Click on Dock.app and click install. When it's uncompressed, it will ask if you would like to update or replace. Click replace.
3. When that's finished, open the 10.4.10 combo update package with pacifist and navigate to the dock.app again. Click install, and this time when it asks, make sure to click update.. not replace.
4. When that's finished, open the keyboard software 1.1 mpackage, click the arrow to reveal the contents of AppleKeyboardSoftware_Cmn.pkg, navigate to dock.app one more time, click install and then update once again. Not replace.
5. Once this procedure is finished, you can force quit dock.app and the keys should work.

Aluminum Keyboard spill

After much web browsing searching for solutions, I think I found an answer to the sticky keys leftover from (literally) the drops of fine ale that found its way onto my keyboard.
First, take the keys off as described here:
http://skeltoac.com/2007/10/22/apple-keyboard-aluminum-keycap-removal/
Some added info: use a stiff guitar pick to lift up the top edge; pay attention to the fact that not all keys lift the same way; and it's gonna feel like you're gonna break the keys or something underneath when you do it. I can yank a key in no time now.
Then, no amount of water, cleaning, toothpicks, or other removal techniques seemed to work on the stickiness. Finally came to a small amount of WD-40 on the damned plastic scissors, wiped on and the excess off with a q-tip, and voila, limited to no stickiness (well except my "n" that I'll get right when I'm done here.
Too bad the keyboard isn't more easily maintained but this'll do you a treat if yours is sticky and you don't want to shell for a new one.

[Clean and Repair your Mac keyboard: How-To Guide|http://lancej.blogspot.com/2008/04/clean-and-repair-your-mac-keyboard-how .html]
[Keyboard Repair|http://www.mactech.com:16080/articles/mactech/Vol.05/05.01/Keyboardrepai r/index.html]
[Removing key caps from Aluminum Keyboard|http://skeltoac.com/2007/10/22/apple-keyboard-aluminum-keycap-removal>
Then there's always the dishwasher (I'm not kidding - search the web).

Assigning key functions with aluminum keyboard?

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