Hi Christian,
Apparently some other users report that your problem with the
volume keys are not fixed by the 1.2 Software update for the
Aluminum keyboard, and there are still sporadic problems with
other function keys. I assume that if you are up to date with the
Leopard software updates that you're in a similar position.
This suggests that there are some remaining software issues
with the new keyboards.
from MacFixIt: Apple Keyboard Update 1.2 (#2): A mixed bag
Thursday, September 13 2007 AT 10:56 AM PDT
<begin quote>
Earlier, we noted the release of Apple's Keyboard Software Update 1.2,
provided with no explanation of what it fixes, but which, it was hoped,
would improve compatibility with the Aluminum Apple keyboard.
Results of installing the update are starting to trickle in from our readers,
and are decidedly a mixed bag. On the one hand, there are several
reports that the trouble with F-keys, particularly F3 and F4, is fixed by
this update.
<snip, sample quotes of success with F3 and F4>
For another reader, the F3 and F4 keys are fixed, but the brightness
keys are not:
Just updated the keyboard 1.2, and can report that the f3 and f4
buttons now work but no brightness.
Reader Pavel complains that the sound volume adjustment keys now
don't work on his keyboard:
It disabled my Sound Volume keys. The only one that works is the mute.
Attempted rebooting to no success
Various readers report that holding down keys during the startup process
still has no effect with this keyboard. For example, from reader Dan:
The update does not address the issue of start up commands when the
aluminum keyboard is used with the first generation intel iMac. Holding
down the 'c' key during start up still does not cause the iMac to default to
the superdrive.
Similarly, from Chris:
All functions of the keyboard work as expected accept for the ability to
use any key stroke start-up commands.
On the other hand, trouble with USB persists. Reader Stephen writes:
Still annoyed that the USB ports on the keyboard only function on the new
iMacs to power peripherals - this really is a let down by Apple to its
customers.
And Chris adds:
tried running applejack and the application quits at test #2 (permissions
repair) stating loss of USB power...
<end quote>
Here are a few other possible general tips from MacFixit that might
help with your problem. They include a recent Knowledge Base
article Apple released on things to try when keys stop working
on keyboards and excerpts from the MacFixIt tutorial on troubleshooting
USB devices (in this case, your USB keyboard).
Excerpted from MacFixIt: Some keys on keyboard don't work, fixes
Thursday, September 20 2007 AT 11:00 AM PDT
<begin quote>
Apple recently updated a Knowledge Base article with several solutions
for keys that suddenly stop working. Among the suggestion fixes:
Disconnect and reconnect the keyboard
Connect the keyboard to a different USB port
Toggle the num lock setting
Open Universal Access preferences, click the Keyboard tab, and make
sure that Slow Keys is turned off.
Open Universal Access preferences, click the Mouse tab, and make sure
Mouse Keys is turned off.
Try a different keyboard
Change settings in the Speech pane of System Preferences
You might also want to check our tutorial on troubleshooting various USB
device issues, which mentions clearing caches, resetting NVRAM/PRAM
and other potential fixes for oddities that can include lapses in USB keyboard
functionality.
<end quote>
The Knowledge Base Article "Some keys on my keyboard don't work" is at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300547
There is also an a Knowledge Base Article "USB Device Troubleshooting":
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58033
Incidentally, if somebody needs to use Mouse Keys, I don't see how
getting your FN keys working by turning this option off under Universal
Access is an acceptable solution.
You've already tried some of the recommendations for USB troubleshooting,
and have done a clean install and applied software updates. Here are some
of the other (probably less likely) suggestions you can try:
From: Tutorial: Common fixes for USB device issues August 24 2007
<begin quote>
USB Prober You might try running USB Prober. It is located in
/Developer/Applications/Utilities, provided you have installed the Xcode
developer tools. (These are probably present on your Tiger installer DVD, if
you have one, but the best way to obtain them, if you have a broadband
Internet connection, is to go to http://developer.apple.com, join the Apple
Developer Connection as a free online member, and log in to obtain the
most recent Xcode tools installer as a 1GB download.) Apparently, just
running USB Prober does some sort of USB reset that can "wake up"
unresponsive USB ports.
Clearing caches Use a tool like Cocktail, OnyX, MacPilot, or Tiger Cache
Cleaner to perform a cache cleaning on your Mac. Start at the shallow
levels (offered by some of the programs) and move onto the deeper routines.
Reset NVRAM/PRAM Shut down your Mac, then start it back up while
immediately holding the following keys: Command, Option, P and R. Hold
the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound
for the third time.
<end excerpt>
I think you've done all the reasonable things, and that this is now worth
a problem report to Apple. There doesn't seem to be a feedback page
for accessories, but maybe you can use the one for the iMac:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/imac.html
Cheers,
Esther
On Dec 08, 2007, at 05:44AM, Christian wrote:
>Hi Esther,
>Many thanks for your reply.
>I've installed all updates now for Leopard and everything seem to be ok now. I
>can now shut down the computer and it takes just a few seconds.
>But the F10, F11 and F12 keys don't work. I cannot turn down or up the volume.
>I have to do it through the sounds preferences.
>Many thanks,
>Christian
>
>
>
>On 2007-12-07 at 16:38 Esther wrote:
>
>>Christian,
>>
>>Just a quick note that all those software updates for the
>>Aluminum Keyboard were for OS 10.4 (Tiger), as you
>>can tell from the dates (a month or more before the
>>Leopard release). I don't know whether there is a software
>>update for the keyboards under Leopard, but those
>>sure sound like all the problems you were having ---
>>inability to log out and trouble with the function key
>>behavior. If you have another, older keyboard, you could
>>always see whether the problems disappear when you
>>switch keyboards. And if the Tiger software updates
>>aren't applicable now that you've done a clean install
>>for Leopard, you could always try plugging the new
>>keyboard in to a USB hub, instead of connecting it
>>directly to your iMac. That seemed to fix shutdown problems
>>for some people.
>>
>>Cheers,
>>
>>Esther
>
>
