asked on

Apple iMac Wireless keyboard.. some keys don't work...

The keys that don't work are all located at the RHS of the keyb. The disk eject, the return, the backspace, the rh bracket, the slash, the " key. All the others seem to be ok. Could this be a crack in the pc board?
I don;t recall anything being spilt on the keyboard...

Tks…

Nichollette

Davis McCarn

Liquid or a static zap are the most likely culprits and the only real fix is a new keyboard which doesn't have to be wireless.
Wired $35: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rarely-Used-Apple-Ultra-Thin-Wired-Aluminum-Keyboard-with-Numeric-Keypad-A1243-/301162269312?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item461eab8a80#ht_526wt_1182

For wireless, I would need the model of your iMac or the vintage (i.e. 2010, late 2009, etc)

stokesydel

ASKER

thanks for the reply… it's a 21.5 inch, late 2009.

I have a wired keyboard, but the wireless one frees up one of the USB ports, of which there are only 4, as you may know.

Regards,

Nichollette

serialband

You can add a USB hub if you need more USB ports. The wired keyboards were usually also usb hubs with 2 USB ports on them. The older full sized white ones had them behind the keyboard. The thin ones have them hidden underneath, one on each side of the keyboard. One port should be just under the eject key in the mini keyboard or f19 in the full sized, and the other should be just under the escape key.

You'll end up with an extra USB port with the wired keyboard.

Davis McCarn

Nichollette,
Your iMac came with bluetooth; but it is unclear whether that keyboard is bluetooth, or not. Is there a part number or model on the bottom of the keyboard?

stokesydel

ASKER

Davis.. there is a model number - A1255.

Serailband - Thanks for that! Never realized there were two USB ports on the keyb.

Never had any luck with those hubs..even the powered ones..they always seemed unreliable.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

serialband

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

SOLUTION

Davis McCarn

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

serialband

Some USB devices need more power, so they either need a powered hub or direct connection to the on-board USB port. The unpowered hubs sap some power and may not be sufficient for an external drive. Some USB disk drives actually need 2 USB connectors to get enough power.