"
...xlr8yourmac,
There was an article on the MacCentral website about 'Four Pro keyboard keys
dead on older Macs; refund offered.'
It is very simple to get full functionality of the Apple Pro keyboard, even
on a beige G3 with a PCI USB card.
I've extracted the following extensions with Tomeviewer from a Power
Macintosh G4 MP install CD:
- SerialShimLib
- HID Library 1.4.1
- USB CDROM Missing Driver 1.4.3
- USB Device Extension 1.4.4
- USB Software Locator 1.4.1
- USB Support 1.4.1
- USBAppleMonitorModule 2.0.1
Again, this keyboard is _fully_ functional even on a Beige G3
Machine tested: Power Macintosh G3, 333 mhz 384, Mac OS 9.0.4 NL
PCI card: keyspan 2-ports USB
It is highly possible that this will also work on other PCI PowerMacs.
In that case Apple has to release a small installer with these extensions.
regards,
An xlr8yourmac reader
(he later wrote)
After testing this on beige G3 several times you _need_ this extension:
- USB Device extension 1.4.4; With this extension the Apple Pro keyboard is
FULLY functional.
- USB Device extension 1.4.1; With this extension the 4 'new' keys DO NOT
work on the Apple Pro keyboard.
For beige G3 owners: you have to install USB adapter card support and the
new USB Device extension 1.4.4, which can be found (as far as I know) only
on the newest Imac/G4 installation CD's. I've not tested the newest beta USB
drivers software with the new keyboard, only with standard software.
(He also replied to my question on the cdrom 'missing' driver noted above-Mike)
The extension has really that name, it is no comment, I don't know the exact
functionality of it.
I _do_ know for sure that the USB Device extension 1.4.4 is the one that
enables the four 'dead' keys on the Apple Pro keyboard.
When I replaced this extension with earlier versions (1.4.1) the four keys
did _not_ work.
Replacing the other extensions had _no_ effect.
"
