I recently bought an old Gateway keyboard to connect to my iBook. I bought a USB signal converter because the regular USB converted did zilch. It recognizes that I plugged in a keyboard but it can't identify it. I followed the directions for it to identify the keyboard but it still can't seem to find it. Any other ideas? I also bought an old Apple keyboard but the adapter was way too expensive for the $1.00 keyboard so that was a waste.

Thanks.

Rita

Mac OS X can identify MOST USB keyboards. I've never seen a keyboard fail to identify, but have seen a couple mice have issues. (wireless multifunction mice with dongles, usually)

Try another keyboard. You just happened to find that 1 in 100 that doesn't work.

Good idea. They are only $1.00 at the thrift store. Next time I go I will get another one, but not a Gateway!!

Rita

I'm back! I went to the thrift shop and this time bought a Dell QuietKey external keyboard. Still no dice. I used the USB adapter. When that didn't work, I used the signal adapter. Still not working.

Is there another step I'm not getting? I get the window that says that it cannot be identified and to press the "z" key next to the shift key so it can search. Nothing happens. This is so frustrating.

Also, when I first attach the signal adapter, the lights for the number lock, caps lock and scroll lock flash once and then go out not to come on again.

Could it be that the iBook is just picky?

Thanks.

Rita

I have two empty keyboard layout folders. Could that be the problem? Not sure why they are empty.

Would downloading a driver for my external keyboard help?

Thanks.

Rita

> I have two empty keyboard layout folders.

My Early 2009 White MacBook/2.0GHz Core 2 Duo/OS X 10.5.7 shows this:

/Library/Keyboard Layouts is empty

/System/Library/Keyboard Layouts/AppleKeyboardLayouts.bundle

Google hits indicate that the absence of AKL.b is your problem and that copying it from another Mac will restore keyboard functionality to your Mac, but I can't vouch for the bundle's compatibility between all Macs and OS X versions, so you'll have to experiment. (OS X will ask you to verify with your password before it allows you to install the bundle.)

Alternatively, you can use Pacifist to extract the bundle from your install disc and install it.

Hope this helps.

PS: How do you even know that the $1.00 thrift shop keyboard you're about to buy is actually functional?

You're right, I don't know that the used keyboards are functional except that they light up when first plugged in. The number key stays on when I put it on but not the scroll or caps keys.

I don't have any friends with Macs, so I will have to give Pacifist a try.

Thank you for the info.

Rita

I loaded up my install disk and rooted around until I found a library folder. Inside it was the keyboard layout folder which was EMPTY!!! Can Pacifist still help me, or will I be wasting my money.

Does that mean it's hiding in a bundle somewhere and Pacifist will root it out?

Is it possible for someone to send me the file or would that not work? I wasn't sure what you meant by getting it from a friend (of which I have none with Macs except on this board).

Thanks again.

Rita

1. "Loaded up" and "rooted around?" I'm not sure what you mean by that.

2. As I noted, you've got two Library folders; it sounds like you looked in /Library (which is empty on my deuced Mac(hina), too), rather than /System/Library.

3. I'm certain that Pacifist can help you, and don't worry about the money; Pacifist hits you with a 15 second delay while it asks you to purchase, but it is fully functional after the "nag" window goes away. (Enter "AppleKeyboardLayouts.bundle" [No quotes] in Pacifist's search field.)

Also, please keep in mind that Pacifist is a wonderfully useful app, and that if it helps you out and you can afford the $20 you'll be making a contribution to the entire Mac community by supporting its developer.

4. I'll be happy to e-mail you that bundle, but, as I said, I can't guarantee that the bundle from my Early 2009 White MacBook/2.0GHz Core 2 Duo/OS X 10.5.7 will work with your iBook; I doubt that trying would hurt, though. (Post your e-mail address, and don't forget to disguise it so spammers don't get hold of it, e.g. rita at abc dot def.)

Thanks, Artie. I will try your download first. Then go to Pacifist if I need to. Yeah, money is tight but if it works, I have no problems sending him the money. Please send bundle link to rita montague at yahoo dot com. Do I just click on it? Thanks. Rita

OK, I received the bundle. For whatever reason, when I dragged it to my keyboard folder I only got the gif or jpg or whatever. Nothing opened. So I clicked on it within my email and it opened and put icons on my desktop. I dragged them to my keyboard layout folder. I then went to my keyboard/mouse folder in prefs and tried to get it to identify my keyboard but it wouldn't. I do believe both of my keyboards are fine because I rechecked them and they light up, just won't type.

I guess I will try Pacifist. I will let you know what happens.

By loaded up and rooted around I meant put the Install Disk into my computer and opened it. I looked at the different folders and clicked on them. One was a keyboard layout folder but, like I said, it was empty. Thanks for all your trouble. I'll get back to you with my Pacifist results.

Hi, Rita,

>For whatever reason, when I dragged it to my keyboard folder I only got the gif or jpg or whatever. Nothing opened. So I clicked on it within my email and it opened and put icons on my desktop. I dragged them to my keyboard layout folder.

That wasn't either a gif or jpeg; it was the actual bundle.

And I don't know what"it opened and put icons on my desktop" means, because I didn't send you anything that is either openable or should have yielded "icons."

Try this... Drag the icon from my e-mail to your desktop; only one should icon appear there.

Then drag the icon from your desktop to /System/Library/Keyboard Layouts and authenticate when asked.

Then run "Repair Permissions" from /Apps/Utilities/Disk Utility.

Then restart your iBook and see what happens. (As I said, I've absolutely no idea whether my bundle will work with your Mac...different machine architecture, maybe different version of OS X, too; that part of it is beyond my experience.)

> I meant put the Install Disk into my computer and opened it.

I meant how did you open it?

Double-clicking on an install disc icon should not accomplish what you've described.

PS: I dunno... I just e-mailed the bundle to myself and tried doing what you've described, but I couldn't replicate your experience.

Keep us posted.

what is a USB converter? are these not USB keyboards?

No, they are not usb keyboards. They have a PS/2 connector. They are round. They were pre-USB port connections.

I just maybe had an insight... Do you see a file on your desktop called .DS_Store?

Good Excellent point, Roger!

ok. I wasn't quite sure how those worked with macs, but a little research at my end makes it clear they should. sounds like artie has the right of it, so if you follow his instructions and can get that keyboard bundle dragged into the right folder, you should be good to go!

First of all, about the install disk, I "opened it" by clicking on the icon. Poof it was open with folders in it.

Anyway, this is like talking to my husband. He gets a confused look on his face whenever I try to explain anything and after 3 or 4 times, he gets it. LOL!!

Ok, here’s what happened.

I am typing this as I do it so I don’t leave out any steps.

1. I dragged the bundle from the email to my desktop. I got something called zip.gif. That was it. Just a picture.

2. Then a window opened up giving me the choice to open it with Stuffit Expander. Then another icon popped onto my desktop like this: IMNdHpKi.zip.part.

3. I clicked “OK” on the window for stuffit expander option.

4. The bundle’s zip file downloaded. It put an icon on my desktop labeled AppleKeyboardLayouts.bundle.

5. As you can see I wasn’t able to just drag it to the Library files as a lot was going on.

6. Decided to drag the aforementioned icon to the library files you mentioned.

7. Nothing happened. It did not ask me to authenticate.

I know this sounds stupid, but the only way I can find library is to go to User (my name), click on library and then click on keyboardlayouts. I cannot find the word “system” anywhere even with search. Maybe that’s the problem.

I give up. You’ve spent enough time with me. I will try pacifist when I get time.

Thanks for all your time. I'm going now before I burst into tears. I'm on the verge because I'm feeling stupid.

Rita

no, don't feel stupid, Rita, you're almost there!

there are actually three Library folders accessible to you: one, the one that you found, in your User folder, and then two more that are available to all Users. you can find them by clicking on your Hard Drive icon (maybe still called Macintosh HD), either on the desktop, or in the Sidebar of a Finder window. (now, it's possible that you have them hidden from view in both of those views, but I'm guessing not) we're looking for a folder called "System", and the Library folder within that. the Keyboard Layouts folder you want is in there. if you can drag the AppleKeyboardLayouts.bundle into there, I think we'll have some success.

if you want to wait a day or two, that's completely understandable! sometimes I get so frustrated by not being able to do something I just want to scream! stepping away for a bit is a good thing! we'll wait!

If you double-click on your hard drive icon on your Desktop, you should see the following folders in the window that opens: Applications, Library, System, and Users. (You may well see other things in there as well, depending on your installation history and your usage habits; but you should see those four folders in any case.)

Within the System folder there's another Library folder; within that folder is a Keyboard Layouts folder. To move AppleKeyboardLayouts.bundle into that Keyboard Layouts folder, you'll need to authenticate.

Before trying that, though, just take a look in that folder and see if there's already an AppleKeyboardLayouts.bundle in there. If there is, the problem is likely to be something else, so it's probably wise not to replace that bundle with the one you got from artie.

I just sent you the bundle again; it's the only thing in the e-mail.

You should see a kind of whitish isometric cube under which it should say: AppleKeyboardLayouts.bundle (2.0 MB)

(I sent it to myself again, and that's what I got...again; maybe your e-mail program works differently than mine, but the item you described in 4. sounds like what you're looking for.)

Try again as I posted.

The bundle shouldn't open; it should just appear intact when you drop it in /System/Library/Keyboard Layouts.

> First of all, about the install disk, I "opened it" by clicking on the icon. Poof it was open with folders in it.

I've never seen such behavior and, to the best of my knowledge, it's simply not supposed to happen.

I mean you should see stuff like "Install OS X," "Additional Software," maybe something else; it all depends on your particular version of OS X and what type of disc you're using.

But you most assuredly should not be able to access the folders we've been discussing.

Everything from "OK, here's what happened." through 4. is foreign, if not alien, to me.

BUT...

> I know this sounds stupid, but the only way I can find library is to go to User (my name), click on library and then click on keyboardlayouts. I cannot find the word “system” anywhere even with search. Maybe that’s the problem.

There you go...

You're in the absolutely wrong place!

You need to double-click on your HD icon, after which a window will open that displays:

(/)Applications

(/)Library

(/)System

(/)Users

(The / is UNIX shorthand for path demarkation that I included for clarification; you will not see / on your screen.)

Clicking on /System will get you to /System/Library, clicking on which will display a bunch of folders, one of which will be "Keyboard Layouts."

That's the folder to which you're dragging... Not some folder in either /Library or /Users/Library.

> You’ve spent enough time with me.

I've got time to spare; I'd prefer to see you get this right on your own, just so you learn some stuff about your iBook and OS X.

> I'm going now before I burst into tears. I'm on the verge because I'm feeling stupid.

Don't do that, and there's no need to feel that way!

OS X is a complex beast that has left the best of us, one of which I in no way pretend to be, by the way, scratching our heads.

I knew somebody would beat me to "Submit" before I finished editing my post.

> "I have two empty keyboard layout folders."

That's what led me my conclusions in the first place; I don't know how Rita found them if she couldn't find either /Library or /System. (I haven't got a Keyboard Layouts folder in /Users/Library; have you got one?)

> Before trying that, though, just take a look in that folder and see if there's already an AppleKeyboardLayouts.bundle in there. If there is, the problem is likely to be something else, so it's probably wise not to replace that bundle with the one you got from artie.

Excellent advice!

And, finally, we're still looking at the possibility that those keyboards were in a thrift shop for reasons other than obsolescence.

Hi Roger:

I don't know why but I couldn't find the system folder until I put it in "column view" and there it was!!! Anyway, I clicked on the system folder, then Library. I then clicked on Keyboard Layouts. It had several keyboards. It wasn't empty. So before I was looking at the wrong folder. Anyway, several choices came up. Some Chinese, etc. and I knew I didn't want those. I dragged the bundle Artie sent me to the keyboard layout folder. It caused another download to start. I let it finished. I dragged the new icon from the download onto the keyboard layout folder. I got the message" The item "Applekeyboardbundle" could not be moved because "keyboard Layouts" cannot be modified. It then asked for authentication for some reason even though it didn't work. I signed in my password. Whew!

Maybe it's like Artie said, his bundle is not compatible with my computer. But if the keyboard layout folder can't be modified, I don't see how I can ever get my computer to recognize the external keyboard. Darn!!

Rita

Nope. Sorry!!

Rita

> I got the message" The item "Applekeyboardbundle" could not be moved because "keyboard Layouts" cannot be modified. It then asked for authentication for some reason even though it didn't work. I signed in my password. Whew!

Maybe it's like Artie said, his bundle is not compatible with my computer. But if the keyboard layout folder can't be modified, I don't see how I can ever get my computer to recognize the external keyboard. Darn!!

But doesn't the "Whew!" mean that the move was completed after you entered your password?

That's what should have happened; OS X first challenges you to make sure you have some sort of idea of what you're trying to do and then allows you to do it if you've also got an Admin password.

And, if so, you did modify "Keyboard Layouts;" did you then restart and repair permissions?

Worst case scenario... Pacifist!

Hey, Roger... I didn't even see that you'd posted.

You must be a teacher!

Sounds to me as if attachments cannot be moved from yahoo mail to your computer via "drag and drop." When you attempted to drag the bundle sent by artie, you were really simply dragging the image representing the attachment. [I just sent an email with an attachment to my yahoo account to confirm this, and that's just how it behaved.]

Clicking the attachment was the correct choice, as you discovered.

I realized at some point that Rita was obviously not using Mail.app.

That's a pretty complex way with which to deal with an attachment, no?

Or are there some security or other advantages that I'm not recognizing?

Thanks.

I don't think it's a matter of complexity; yahoo mail messages, at least on a Mac, can't be downloaded and handled within Mail.app, so using a yahoo account necessarily means webmail.

Since webmail is accessed via browser, the normal browser behaviors apply: dragging an image from a web page always moves just the image, in much the same way that dragging a filename from a web page creates a text clipping, and dragging a URL creates a .webloc file, even though clicking these objects may cause files to be downloaded or web pages to be loaded.

Whew just meant it was tiring to do all that work and then nothing!! I repaired permissions and restarted computer. Still nothing. Grrrr!

Rita

Hi DK:

There was no bundle in my keyboard layout folder. Even after I authenticated, it's still not there. Kind of at a loss.

Rita

So I'm not crazy after all!!! Thank you!!

Rita



Sounds to me as if attachments cannot be moved from yahoo mail to your computer via "drag and drop." When you attempted to drag the bundle sent by artie, you were really simply dragging the image representing the attachment. [I just sent an email with an attachment to my yahoo account to confirm this, and that's just how it behaved.]

Clicking the attachment was the correct choice, as you discovered. [/quote]

So, I dragged the bundle into the keyboard layout folder and clicked on it. I get the message I always hate getting: "There is no default application specified to open the document...."

Somebody hates me.

Rita

Stuff with which I've never dealt; thanks for the explanation.

Nobody hates you, Rita; you're not supposed to click on the bundle!

All you have to do is get it into /System/Library/Keyboard Layouts.

When you drop it into that folder OS X should pop up "The item "Applekeyboardbundle" could not be moved because "Keyboard Layouts" cannot be modified."

It should ask you to authenticate, and after you click on "Authenticate" and enter your password it should drop the bundle.

After you see the actual bundle, itself, in its desired location you restart and repair permissions, and, assuming it's a compatible bundle, you're good to go.

Hope we're getting to the end of the road.

I couldn't get the apple bundle thingy to work. Just got that application error message. I finally downloaded Pacifist. Extracted the original bundle. Got the message that I already had it. It must have been the one you sent. I replaced yours with the original just to be sure. Still doesn't work. Yep, I authenticated, restarted and repaired permissions. Still nothing.

I thought maybe if I downloaded the driver for the keyboard that might work, but can't find one for this particular keyboard. Guess it's too old.

Guess I'll stick with my wireless keyboard. Not my favorite but better than the iBook keyboard for serious typing.

Thanks for all your work and help. I really appreciate it.

Rita

> Thanks for all your work and help. I really appreciate it.

You're welcome, Rita; I'm happy to have tried.

One last thing comes to mind...

Since you installed the bundle with Pacifist and still no joy I've got to think that something's working against you other than OS X.

My last suggestion is that you take your keyboards over to a friend's house and see if they work on hir PC; we've assumed from the start that they're functional, but that's never been proven.

Good luck.

Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? My husband has a fairly new Gateway computer. I plugged the "Dell" keyboard into it and it recognized it immediately. Just for fun I plugged in the external Gateway keyboard, and it worked too. It must be my OS. Interesting!! Well, I guess there's no fixing it, but now we know the keyboard is good!!!!

Thanks, Artie.

R...

> Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? My husband has a fairly new Gateway computer. I plugged the "Dell" keyboard into it and it recognized it immediately. Just for fun I plugged in the external Gateway keyboard, and it worked too. It must be my OS. Interesting!! Well, I guess there's no fixing it, but now we know the keyboard is good!!!!

I guess that's something, despite the fact that it's counter-productive.

Last gasp...

Try an Archive & Install. (Be certain to check the "Preserve User and Network Settings" box if such is your intention and to back up any data you can't afford to lose.)

Boot from your install disc, and run Utilities>Disk Utility>"Repair Disk" before running A & I, but do not run A & I until DU has returned a clean bill-of-health; if it repairs anything, rerun it "n" times until it no longer does so. (DiskWarrior, TechTool Pro, and DriveGenius are all preferable to DU.)

An A & I is generally quick and painless, but the specifics of your installation may complicate it.

Once again, good luck!

I think we all may have missed something quite simple here.....what if the converter/adapter (you know, the thingy that is s'posed to convert the connection for the NON USB keyboard into a USB interface that the Mac can recognize)....what if that thingy isn't working properly with the Mac OS?

I wish I had said that! good thought!!

I've done an A&I in the past. It was a pain but necessary at the time. I can't remember why I did it, but it was a much bigger deal than an external keyboard not working, so I was motivated.

I will keep this in mind but am not wanting to do that just yet. It's a pain and I'm feeling lazy about it. The A&I wasn't quick and painless to me, but that's because I was scared I was going to screw something up.

I read yesterday on the community Apple forum that some external keyboards just don't work with Macs. Maybe that's it.

Thanks again, Artie.

Rita

If that's true, anything I can do about it? Thanks.

Rita

> I think we all may have missed something quite simple here.....

Duuuh... Forgot all about the durn thing!

On the other hand, though, l did think to suggest trying the keyboards on another machine... After 8 days.

An interesting phenomenon I've noticed over the years is that it pays to drag a thread out, because sooner or later a fresh thinker will find it.

I just did a quick Google search and found something that suggested that you might have a driver problem; take a look at the signal converter manufacturer's site, and see if you find anything helpful.

I have an email into them (Adessa) to see what gives. I noticed that on Amazon there were a few people who could use it with their Mac Mini. I'll let you know. It does say on the Adessa website that it's good for Windows 98 and up. No mention of macs though they have other products for Macs.

While this thread seems to have resolved itself, there are two things to note. Adessa has made, and still does make Mac compatible keyboards. If the keyboard they offer is USB, it should work on a Mac. The extra keys and "functions" may not.

A KVM switch will that accepts PS2 plug keyboards and mates to a USB input on the computer may also solve the keyboard incompatiblity. I did just that when I set up my old G5 tower for my wife's use. She uses a Thinkpad with an old external Dell Quietkey PS2 plug keyboard. The switch functions flawlessly.

I've seen the option and command keys get swapped through a KVM but most other things work fine. Don't expect media keys to work.

> I have an email into them (Adessa) to see what gives. I noticed that on Amazon there were a few people who could use it with their Mac Mini. I'll let you know. (Emphasis added)

Since this thread has floated to the top... You haven't updated us.

Artie: Are you talking to me? Rita

> Artie: Are you talking to me?

Yep! (See your post #5525 in this thread.)

You never let us know how you made out with your USB thingie as you said you'd do, and, one way or the other, it would be useful info.

Oh wow. It's been so long since I posted that, I forgot! The answer is "they never responded to me." So, no info. Sorry. I should have let you know.