Apple keyboard + PC

POB · 14 Dec 2008 at 21:16

Hi,

Purchased a used Apple aluminum keyboard (wired) from eBay.

For use on my PC, but its not working.

I expected it to sort of work but the mappings to be wrong. No lights on the caps lock etc.

Also when I plug a mouse into its one of the USB ports on the keyboard the mouse does not work (but gets power as it lights up), thought it would at least work as a hub.

Should this work even in a basic way and its broken or should it only work with a Mac.

Thanks

theheyes · 14 Dec 2008 at 22:01

Leave the keyboard plugged in for a few minutes, I have this problem all the time with Windows when I stick in a USB input device. It takes a short while to recognise it.

Failing that, boot the PC with the keyboard plugged in and see if it works. Again, waiting for a few minutes on start-up.

FreeStream · 14 Dec 2008 at 22:06

You *might* need bootcamp drivers, but as my old type apple keyboard worked perfectly with a PC I don't understand why the new one isn't :S

J1nxy · 14 Dec 2008 at 22:26

The new Alu keyboards need the drivers from boot camp to work properly but does work to a fashion without them.

artaxerxes · 14 Dec 2008 at 23:26

Yeah - should work right away. Try it in some other computers... and only then I would declare it a duff eBay buy!

I have these on both my macs and my PCs. No need for Bootcamp drivers.

Tute · 14 Dec 2008 at 23:41

I find the USB ports on mine don't work at all - I just get Vista whinging about "not enough power".

POB · 15 Dec 2008 at 00:18

Thanks for the pointers.

Tried it on three PCs now and no good.

But will try a couple of non Dell machines tomorrow incase its the Dell bios causing the issue.

electric ant · 15 Dec 2008 at 00:35

If the caps lock key light isnt lighting up when you press it theres something wrong there.
Also the keyboard has usb ports which aren't powered a lot but still should be enough for a mouse or falsh drive. Its not enough for a usb hard drive or ipod charging tho.