Can't set up new install with wireless keyboard

[rjdelb]

Help!

I just bought a used unibody Mac Mini, and the previous owner wiped the unit and did a fresh install of El Capitan prior to me buying it. So when I power it up, it wants to walk through the first time setup process.
The problem is, I have a apple wireless keyboard, and it appears the bluetooth on the mac may not be on, as the keyboard is not being found (yes it has fresh batteries and is "discoverable").
So....It will not let me get passed setting up a main user, as that requires text input from the keyboard.

How do I get the Mac to look for the keyboard upon startup? Help!

 

[rjdelb]

I found this:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7011847?start=0&tstart=0

Looks like I may have no option to proceed past Setup Assistant other than acquiring a USB keyboard. This is a pretty stupid design flaw. Argggg.

 

[Weaselboy]

Make sure you have nothing attached to any of the USB ports then try again. A new Mac will detect and offer to connect a BT keyboard and mouse like you are trying to do here. If yours won't connect, there may be something broken... but new Macs get setup exactly like you are doing yours over BT all the time.

 

[rjdelb]

Make sure you have nothing attached to any of the USB ports then try again. A new Mac will detect and offer to connect a BT keyboard and mouse like you are trying to do here. If yours won't connect, there may be something broken... but new Macs get setup exactly like you are doing yours over BT all the time.

Thanks. I guess there was something wrong, as I tried that several times. Anyway, I borrowed a USB keyboard, finished Setup Assistant, enabled Bluetooth, paired the wireless keyboard, and all is OK now.