Keyboard extension cable help

My desk is set up in such a way I have always needed a keyboard ext cable. I had an iMac (2006) with which I used a USB 2.0 ext cable. That same cable will not work with my brand new iMac. I am guessing I need to buy a USB 3.0 ext cable?

Roger, think it through. The connector at the end of the keyboard's cable has a groove, not a tongue. The keyboard's Type A connector will plug into any USB type A receptor. If it had a tongue then that would be a different story, you would only be able to plug a connector with a tongue into a receptor with a matching groove.
Now I just went to find the Apple USB extension cable that came with the aluminum keyboard that I never took out of the box and it has a tongue in the Type A receptor, which limits the use of the cable to a USB Type A connector with a matching groove. So it is the reverse of what you said above. You can use the keyboard with any USB Type A extension cable or port. But Apple seems to be limiting the use of their USB Type A extension cable to their own keyboards and mice that have a matching groove.
From the Wikipedia article about USB - (emphasis mine)
Apple has shipped non-standard USB extension cables with some of their computers, for use with the included Apple USB keyboards. The extension cable's socket is keyed with a small protrusion to prevent the insertion of a standard USB plug, while the Apple USB keyboard's plug has a matching indentation. The indentation on the keyboard's plug does not interfere with insertion into a standard USB socket. Despite the keying, it is still possible to insert standard USB plugs into the extension cord. The protrusion can also be shaved off with an appropriate blade, or crushed with locking pliers.

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MAC PRO USB Problem - Traced to bad Apple Keyboard Extension Cable

I found a fix to a problem synching to my itunes Library on my early 2008 MAC PRO. The Apple supplied USB extension cable for the keyboard was defective.
The symptoms were hangs in itunes and finder synching to iPods and transferring data to USB hard drives. The iPods and hard drives never lost power and no errors/log entries were made. The transfers simply stalled and would not continue. itunes and finder would hang until the drive or ipod was removed. These devices were installed directly to USB ports on the MAC PRO. No other USB devices were connected except for the aluminum keyboard and mighty mouse; the mouse was connected to the keyboard. The keyboard was connected using the USB extension cable that shipped with the MAC PRO.
Hardware diagnostics were all clear. The keyboard and mouse never had any connection problems. Only itunes syncs and hard drive copies would fail; these would occur at random times. I had an open ticket with Apple to have the logic board replaced as it was diagnosed to be a hardware/USB problem.
Removal or replacement of the extension cable on the keyboard (which was connected to a different USB port and NOT in the USB chain with the ipod and hard drives) permanently fixed the problem. I cancelled the Apple HW replacement.
I have noted several posts with others having problems with USB ports and devices. I wonder if Apple has an unknown problem with bad keyboard extension cables.

I think you may be onto something there. I'm just a few weeks into my second Mac Pro and again it's having the same USB problems which led Apple to give me a replacement machine previously. I went through several weeks of considerable testing with Apple Engineers prior to that - an Apple Care application to collect data from my machine, Apple Developer USB prober and two clean installs. The latest machine initially showed no sign of the problem then it started again - 2 iPods "can not be read or written to" part way through sync, Aperture quitting importing from USB SD card reader, USB drives dismounting etc. So I pulled out the Aluminium keyboard and, lo and behold, the iPods managed to get all the way through synching without errors. I really like the alu keyboard so it's a huge shame that it might be the cause of all my problems so far - and the Mac Pro is otherwise a beautiful computer.
But is this really a hardware problem of the internal USB cards and power management or supply?

Apple Keyboard Extension Cable

Does anyone know where I can acquire an extension cable for my USB Apple Keyboard that exceeds 6 feet?
I was told that the cable has connect directly to the rear panel of my Power Mac G4 due to voltage reasons, so most off-the-shelf USB extension cables will not work. Also, you cannot simply connect two Apple 3 foot extension cables back-to-back as this won't work either.
Sure would appreciate solutions...

A normal USB extension cable will work. Look for one with thick wires. Apple was concerned about their keyboard extension cable overheating if used with high power USB devices, so they use a special connector that will only work with Apple keyboards.

Using Apple USB Keyboard Extension Cable for Power

I have a USB keyboard extension cable. Part number is 591-0079. Can I use that to extend the power cable for my iPad when it is plugged in? Can I also use it for my iPhone?
I wanted to check first to make sure because it predates the iPad and the iPhone.
Thanks any advance.

So there won't be any problems transferring power through it? It will charge iPad and iPhone without any trouble?

Wired keyboard with/without extension cable?

One realizes that these days the sleek new Apple corded USB keyboards - those with nummeric block - in the unit sale (not as a component of iMac shipment)
are fitted with additional USB cable. It seams to be some sort of extension cable for convenient connection of other USB device.
However the keyboard of the same type delivered with sleek new iMac Late 2013 - the purchase was in February 2014 - was
not delivered with such additional cable. Nor the user manual for keyboard was attached. Instead of this
the Magic Trackpad ordered with that iMac got two hard copies of user manual.
Regarding the additional usb cable attached to corded usb keyboard is this a change conducted by Apple
between February 2014 and these days, or rather an error in shipment those days?

However the keyboard of the same type delivered with sleek new iMac Late 2013 - the purchase was in February 2014 - was not delivered with such additional cable.
Check that keyboard to see if it has a USB port on either side. Mine (ordered with a 2011 iMac) has one on each end. If it doesn't then there's no need for an additional USB cable. I don't remember if it included a USB cable.
According to this Apple product page, Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad - English (USA), separately ordered wired keyboards with keypads come with two USB ports and an USB extension cable. However, when ordered with a iMac Call an Apple store or Apple at phone number at the bottom of this page and ask if it should have.

ITrigue L3800 - Where do I get extension cables for the left & right speaker ? HELP !

@ reader : I have already contacted Creative Labs themselves but they unfortunately do not offer any extension cables that run between the left or right speaker and the sub-woofer. And since the connection into the sub is a weird looking '3 pins stacked on eachother' type, I am wondering if anyone has seen extension cables for connections like these.
I am grateful for any help on the issue (adresses, weblinks etc.), because it is really bothering me and the way I want to set up the system in my living room !
Have a great day !

OMS. If you can still find it. try searching for Opcode OMS (open music system) You need it to run usb midi interfaces in OS9. Good luck, I'd seriously consider getting Logic express.

I have a wired keyboard which won't work with my MacBook Air unless I use the extension cable supplied with the apple keyboard. Is this normal or have I got a connection problem?

I Have an apple wired keyboard which suddenly won't work unless I use the apple ext cable supplied with the keyboard...used with the wire fixed into the keyboard it just won't respond. Do u think the keyboard is faulty. ? I want to use it with my MacBook Air and a big screen.

My best guess is that either there's a small deformation of the USB plug of your keyboard or some foreign matter (like lint) inside the keyboard plug. When I was setting up my new lab last year I had to use the extension cables and I found that the female end of the extension cable was considerably tighter than the computer's USB port. If an Apple store is nearby it would be worth taking the computer, keyboard, and extension just for piece of mind.

Does the Aluminum Mid-2007 Intel-based iMac include a USB extension cable?

Hello everyone,
I live in Canada, and my Aluminum (Mid-2007) 20" iMac did not include a USB extension cable for the keyboard. I have read on the forums that other members' Aluminum iMacs did not come with it either. I also read someone from Japan who said his iMac came with the cable, but I am not sure if he had an Aluminum or White iMac. I know that the standalone new keyboards do come with the USB extension cable. I would like to know if your Aluminum (Mid-2007) iMacs came with this accessory. Please let me know if it did or did not. Thank you for your help, and I await your reply.
Cya!
\m/ Mage \m/
P.S. I bought my iMac the same day Leopard launched, and then I received it in the first half of November.

Hi Bob and mrtotes,
Thank you very much for your helpful replies. I apologize that I have been away for a couple of days--I have been very busy with final assignments, so I did not get to reply to you until now.
I do find the cable a little short after I slide my keyboard tray under, but all I have to do is turn Mighty Mouse around before then. Other than that, Mighty Mouse's built-in cable is long enough when I am interacting with my iMac.
It makes sense that only the Mac Pro would need the USB extension cable more than the portables and iMacs would. I don't know why I did not think of that before--I guess that's why we we're here when we're not sure! And of course the Mac Mini does not come with input devices unless you ask because the whole point of the Mac Mini is BYODKM (bring your own display, keyboard, and mouse).
Thanks again for your help with answering my questions--I really appreciate it.
Cya!
\m/ Mage \m/

What's this black piece of foam on keyboard ribbon cable?

Today I upgrade my hard drive to 7200 RPM one.
When I tried to lift out the keyboard ribbon cable connector by tearing up the yellow piece of tape on top of the black foam thing on top of connector, the tape stick a portion of the black piece thing up.
https://www.getdropbox.com/gallery/45605/1/MAC?h=4868f5
Now everything is running fine, no matter with the keyboard or the system.
I'm just wondering what that piece of black foam thing is for?
Will that affect the keyboard in any way?
Please help me clear up this mystery.
Thanks

It's just packing to help space the ribbon and stop movement/disconnection of the ribbon under duress.

Male 30 pin to female 30 pin extension cable

Does anyone know who makes a male 30 pin to female 30 pin extension cable or converter. Can't find one online and the reps at the Apple store were not helpful. I can't attach any accessories that need to be flush with the 60g IPod (such as the FM Transmitter, docking station) without taking it out of the case which increases the chance of scatching it.
Thx

If you just want something to lift the iPad a little and make it charge with other older style firewire based chargers, maybe you want this -> Scosche passPORT Charging Adapter for iPhone 3G
A quick Google search shows results for the male to female 30-pin extension you described.

Can USB extension cable from nano burn out tower's USB port?

I recently plugged my 1GB nano into my Mac flatscreen's USB port and got a message that this port was too slow. I used it anyway but it did take a looong time to charge the nano. Normally I use the two ports in the screen to park a couple of dongles and since that port is slow for iPod purposes , I decided to buy an unpowered USB hub, 1 to 4 variety to run from the tower.
My G4 is in a closet with a not-so-accessible port on the back so I have a 6 foot extender cable coming from the tower which connects to the hub and from there I plug in my camera and keyboard - but so far not the nano. The guy at the store where I got the hub told me that an iPod nano recieving power from this settup might burn out the USB port in the back of my G4. So I haven't tested that! Anyone know if this is true or if it's just uniformed blather from a drugstore computer sales tech?

The "too slow" message you received has nothing to do with how long it takes to charge the Nano, it is telling you it will take longer to sync the Nano. If the port on the screen charged your Nano it didn't take any longer than any other port will.
A USB extension cable will not burn out the USB port on your computer.

Recommended extension cable for Apple LED 27" to MacPro 2010?

Okay, from what I have read the cable on the 27" LED display is a bit short. I need to travel at least 5 feet from the desktop to where the computer sits. What do you recommend as an extension cable to help bridge the gap?
A while back they suggested this:
http://www.cpustuff.com/mini-displayport-male-to-mini-displayport-female-extensi on-cable.html
Any other choices?

Yup! I'm using 10.6.5 and see no problem with the cables.
I've always assumed that if audio can come through a mDP of the card then it was a physical property of the cables themselves (e.g., appropriate additional connector pins and the connections to them) that determined whether they could carry that audio signal. In other words I don't see what difference the OS version has to do with it. If audio isn't coming out of the mDP from one update to the next then some configuration data (maybe what's in the sound system preference) has changed and audio shouldn't come out even if no extension cables are used.
Also, I don't think any (pkg) installer, including system installers, are capable of updating the firmware in the video card.
One thing I might suggest is resetting the SMC (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964). Sometimes that can "shake free" some of these sound "quirks"

Apple AV composite cable & extension cable

Hi everyone,
Please can anyone help me with my problem?
I went to the apple store and bought the official AV composite cable 30 pin for my device.
It's working perfectly BUT ...
When I'n connecting my device to the AV cable via an extension cord (1 meter), image will not show at all and I have no sound...
Working scenario :
device ---> Apple AV original cable ---> TV
Non working scenario :
device ---> third party extension cable ---> Apple AV original cable ---> TV
Any idea?
extension cable is new...
THANKS !!

Hi Lyssa, well that was my first guess indeed but yesterday I managed to make it work ...
Done nothing special but connecting and disconnecting the cable again and again...
I think the quality of the extension cable is to be considered. I have ordered another one...
So to my question : could we use an extension cable and an apple AV composite out cable : answer is YES !
Thanks for the help!

Audio extension cable for mic-equipped headphones

I bought a pair of B&W P5 headphones from my local Apple store and find that the stock (microphone) cable is very short for use at the desk. I bought a standard 3.5mm extension cable but then discovered it doesn't work. The P5 jack has four contact zones while most cables on the market have only three. My Apple store can't help and I have had no luck finding a suitable cable in London. Does anyone have advice?

Yes, I have a query in but haven't had a specific reply. Their site says cables should be available from third-party suppliers. It's not just B&W, though, I think the same problems apply to all latest-generation headphones equipped with microphones. I'll do some footwork when I have time.

Apple Pro Speakers extension cable? Anyone?

Sorry. Meant to post this in the G4 forun instead, and I don't want to cross-post. Perhaps someone here can help...
Looking to extended the distance from the G4 under my desk to the Apple Pro Speakers sitting on top. I've come up empty on my research so far, other than to find Griffin's discontinued extension cable, variously listed as "17-APSE Griffin Apple Pro Speakers Extension Cable" or "(4012-EXT) APS Extension Cable for Apple Pro Speakers" -- they've been impossible to find anywhere.
That said, are there any other alternatives? Even a makeshift solution that will work with the proprietary jack?
Thanks,
Bill
G4 MDD 2x867 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Nope. Same result. Out of stock.
Thanks for the heads-up anyway. Always worth a try.
And the search continues...
G4 MDD 2x867 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Keyboard extension cable help

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