PowerMac G5 Keyboard Help

[KeegM480]

So since searching is disabled I will just have to make a new thread.
Just got the new wired keyboard for my PMG5 since I am used to the Bluetooth one I just couldn't type on the white one.

On the function keys, they don't work right, anybody know what the way is to add my music control shortcuts? Its frustrating not having them work, so all of the Function keys are not lined up with their image, I know this is stupid but its something that drives me crazy.

Thanks in advance!

 

[micahgartman]

Mac OS X: How to change the behavior of function keys

If your Mac's keyboard has icons printed on some of the keys on the top row of the keyboard, those keys can be used to perform the special features shown in each icon, or they can be used as standard function keys (F1 - F12). The action performed by standard function keys will vary depending on the application you are currently using, or depending on the keyboard shortcuts listed in the Keyboard & Mouse pane of System Preferences.

By default, pressing one of these keys will perform the special feature indicated by the icon printed on the key. For example, pressing the keys with speaker icons will adjust the volume or mute the system volume. If you would like to use one of these keys as a standard function key on a portable Mac, you can hold the Fn key while pressing the function key. For example, if you press Fn-F10 (with a speaker icon), it will perform the function assigned to the F10 key instead of toggling mute on or off.

If you prefer the top row of keys to behave as standard function keys (instead of performing the special feature indicated by the icon), without needing to hold down the Fn key:

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. From the View menu choose Keyboard (or Keyboard & Mouse in Mac OS X v10.5.8 and earlier).
3. Click Keyboard, if necessary.
4. Enable "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys."

With this option enabled, the top row of keys will act as standard function keys (F1 - F12) and not perform special functions such as volume control. To use the features shown on the icon printed on one of these keys while this option is enabled, press Fn. For example, if the above option is enabled, press Fn-F10 to toggle mute on or off.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3399

 

[KeegM480]

If your Mac's keyboard has icons printed on some of the keys on the top row of the keyboard, those keys can be used to perform the special features shown in each icon, or they can be used as standard function keys (F1 - F12). The action performed by standard function keys will vary depending on the application you are currently using, or depending on the keyboard shortcuts listed in the Keyboard & Mouse pane of System Preferences.

By default, pressing one of these keys will perform the special feature indicated by the icon printed on the key. For example, pressing the keys with speaker icons will adjust the volume or mute the system volume. If you would like to use one of these keys as a standard function key on a portable Mac, you can hold the Fn key while pressing the function key. For example, if you press Fn-F10 (with a speaker icon), it will perform the function assigned to the F10 key instead of toggling mute on or off.

If you prefer the top row of keys to behave as standard function keys (instead of performing the special feature indicated by the icon), without needing to hold down the Fn key:

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. From the View menu choose Keyboard (or Keyboard & Mouse in Mac OS X v10.5.8 and earlier).
3. Click Keyboard, if necessary.
4. Enable "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys."

With this option enabled, the top row of keys will act as standard function keys (F1 - F12) and not perform special functions such as volume control. To use the features shown on the icon printed on one of these keys while this option is enabled, press Fn. For example, if the above option is enabled, press Fn-F10 to toggle mute on or off.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3399

The issue though, for example, if I press the F12 key it should be the volume up, but it brings up the dashboard.

 

[eyoungren]

The issue though, for example, if I press the F12 key it should be the volume up, but it brings up the dashboard.

Reverse #4. I.e, make sure Enable Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function key is UNchecked.

 

[KeegM480]

Reverse #4. I.e, make sure Enable Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function key is UNchecked.

they are... same thing with or without that checked..

 

[eyoungren]

Is it only that shortcut that is not functioning? Because if it is, you can either shut it off or reassign a different command to it.

 

[KeegM480]

Is it only that shortcut that is not functioning? Because if it is, you can either shut it off or reassign a different command to it.

nope, none of them do what they are supposed to, most dont do anything a few of them do different things, the brightness is F14 & F15 instead of 1 & 2, F9 shows me my windows, F10 fades the desktop and highlights my window, F11 shows the desktop, F12 is dashboard, eject key works, F1-8 appear to do nothing same with F13 and F16-19... So weird (I tried re setting shortcuts too)

 

[eyoungren]

Hmmm…OK. What's the system requirements for the new keyboard?

Is there any hint of a software update for the keyboard or anything?

What about the BT pairing? Is the PM seeing this as the keyboard it actually is?

Newer keyboard, older PowerMac I am guessing.

 

[micahgartman]

nope, none of them do what they are supposed to, most dont do anything a few of them do different things, the brightness is F14 & F15 instead of 1 & 2, F9 shows me my windows, F10 fades the desktop and highlights my window, F11 shows the desktop, F12 is dashboard, eject key works, F1-8 appear to do nothing same with F13 and F16-19... So weird (I tried re setting shortcuts too)

Oh—you need to remap the function keys.

Try using Spark: http://www.shadowlab.org/Software/spark.php

 

[KeegM480]

Oh—you need to remap the function keys.

Try using Spark: http://www.shadowlab.org/Software/spark.php

Spark didnt seem to work..

 

[RedCroissant]

So since searching is disabled I will just have to make a new thread.
Just got the new wired keyboard for my PMG5 since I am used to the Bluetooth one I just couldn't type on the white one.

On the function keys, they don't work right, anybody know what the way is to add my music control shortcuts? Its frustrating not having them work, so all of the Function keys are not lined up with their image, I know this is stupid but its something that drives me crazy.

Thanks in advance!

If you're talking about the new wired 10-key aluminum keyboard, then the reason it's not functioning properly is because it is not fully compatible with your PPC Mac. You have to look for the identical keyboard that was released in 2009 or earlier via eBay or Amazon because those are fully compatible and all the FN keys function properly.

The guys at PowerPC Archive did a test and found the same issue.

They didn't test the earlier version of the keyboard (or at least haven't posted the results) but it does work. Just look on CL for PPC macs being sold and many of them will have the older wired keyboard that is compatible.

 

[KeegM480]

If you're talking about the new wired 10-key aluminum keyboard, then the reason it's not functioning properly is because it is not fully compatible with your PPC Mac. You have to look for the identical keyboard that was released in 2009 or earlier via eBay or Amazon because those are fully compatible and all the FN keys function properly.

Yes I am, got it at the Apple Store just a couple weeks ago. Thank you! Didn't realize that... Ill see if I can sell mine and buy one on Amazon!

EDIT:
I got spark to work! SO its functioning perfectly now for what I needed

 

[RedCroissant]

Yes I am, got it at the Apple Store just a couple weeks ago. Thank you! Didn't realize that... Ill see if I can sell mine and buy one on Amazon!

EDIT:
I got spark to work! SO its functioning perfectly now for what I needed

Ok, and cool! I'm glad that you got it working now.

Yeah, when I get a chance, I'm going to get a new one and then take the one that I got back in 2009 back from my wife. I made sure to test it on my iMac G5 before even responding to your post.

 

[KeegM480]

Ok, and cool! I'm glad that you got it working now.

Yeah, when I get a chance, I'm going to get a new one and then take the one that I got back in 2009 back from my wife. I made sure to test it on my iMac G5 before even responding to your post.

Apple is so funny, purposefully killing off PowerPC's, like they think I'm going to get rid of my PMG5!

 

[RedCroissant]

Apple is so funny, purposefully killing off PowerPC's, like they think I'm going to get rid of my PMG5!

Although I agree with you in saying that they're purposefully killing off PPCs, I wouldn't say it's malicious (which is the way most people interpret it). And I wouldn't have gotten rid of my PM G5 quad if I didn't have to at the time.

I'll probably never have one again and when I get the chance to, I think I'll go for a Mac Pro instead. Not too sure about that yet though.

 

[KeegM480]

Although I agree with you in saying that they're purposefully killing off PPCs, I wouldn't say it's malicious (which is the way most people interpret it). And I wouldn't have gotten rid of my PM G5 quad if I didn't have to at the time.

I'll probably never have one again and when I get the chance to, I think I'll go for a Mac Pro instead. Not too sure about that yet though.

If I had the money I would go with a Mac Pro as well, but $150 vs $1,500 for a machine that isn't portable is hard to justify for me right now. Especially when I have a MacBook Pro