Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Backlit Keyboard Question...
- Thread starter yakisoba
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
press F-10
(do all 15" pb's have backlighting? yours does if there is a little line with dots on top of F9 and F10. F8 turns backlighting off)
(do all 15" pb's have backlighting? yours does if there is a little line with dots on top of F9 and F10. F8 turns backlighting off)
Yes, I have those icons over my F8 through F10 keys. But they don't seem to do anything. Also, the manual says that there should be a check box for automatic brightness under System Preferences -> Display, and a check box for keyboard illumination under System Preferences -> Keyboard and Mouse. I don't see either of those check boxes.....
idkew said:
I got the 1.25 GHz 15". Keyboard back lighting was a BTO option for mine. How fast is it? (1.33 GHz models are standard, not backlit)
The sensors for the backlights are in the speakers. Cover the speakers with your hands, it should work. If not hit the F10 button in a dark room/closet. It has to be fairly dark for them to turn on.
Bring it to your nearest Apple store 1st and have 'em check it out. But sounds like you got a dud.
Check your System Preferences!
You have to make sure that the keys will illuminate under low light conditions.
Go into system preferences, keyboard and mouse. There is a check box at the bottom of that preference pane that says 'illuminate keyboard in low light conditions'. Make sure this option is checked..
It should work now
aussie_geek
You have to make sure that the keys will illuminate under low light conditions.
Go into system preferences, keyboard and mouse. There is a check box at the bottom of that preference pane that says 'illuminate keyboard in low light conditions'. Make sure this option is checked..
It should work now
aussie_geek
aussie_geek said:
yeah and to add to that make sure that the option of turn it of underneath the checkbox is set to never (just for good measure....
ive never heard of a faliure but its possible....
hope it turns out ok for you
I was a bit concerned when i got my new PB that the backlight wasn't working. Tried everything to cover up the keyboard to simulate darkness - all to no avail.. Then when night fell - hey presto - one glorious backlighted keyboard. I don't know how they have done it - but I am very impressed by the ambient light switch. My hats off to the Apple design team. 
I hope your "problem" is the same as mine.
I hope your "problem" is the same as mine.
Well if the backlight isnt working try opening up system preferences and take a look in the keyboard menu... if you cant see the option for the backlight then you got a hardware problem. I would know because my coworkers just broke and Apple got him to do all sorts of things to his PB. He's gotten the box to send it back to Apple.
Well, I spent half an hour on the phone with Apple Care this morning, and we went through all the rigamaroll....
Since I don't have the checkboxes for keyboard illumination in my System Preferences, they think it's a hardware issue, and I have a box coming to ship it back to them.....
Since I don't have the checkboxes for keyboard illumination in my System Preferences, they think it's a hardware issue, and I have a box coming to ship it back to them.....
yakisoba said:
Yeah, sounds like hardware. Sorry that happened to you.
to all those that replied to this thread: he stated quite clearly that he didn't have those checkboxes in System Preferences, and that he took it in an entirely dark room, would you people please bother to read the thread before responding?!
paul
Well, I have no choice to be impressed. Apple sent me a pre-paid box, and Airborne Express picked it up on Tuesday at 4:30 pm, bound for Houston, TX. Airborne Express dropped my repaired Powerbook off on Thursday morning at 10:30 am from Houston. Not bad....