Simon Allen 1089

Q: My wired USB keyboard is not recognised on my iMac

Over the last few months I am seeing my iMac freeze up and the only way out is to power down and power up.  When I do this the wired USB keyboard is not recognised by the iMac.  The only way I have found to get it working is to use the PRAM reset.  That does not always work first time and it seems I need to disconnect the keyboard and run the PRAM reset and then connect the keyboard again.  The easiest test is just to toggle the Caps lock key.  It does not work when the keybaord is not recognised.  I am not running much else on the USB bus.  I have an external backup hard disk running through Time Machine and a printer.  I am sometimes connecting an Arduino to the USB.  However this last crash happened when the Arduino was disconnected.

 

Any ideas what is causing this and why it knocks out the wired keyboard.

 

For those who have not come across the PRAM reset then it is detailed here.  http://support.apple.com/kb/ph11243

 

Fortunately the Bluetooth keyboard works otherwise the PRAM reset would be inaccessible.

 

I am running OS x 10.9.2

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on May 22, 2014 4:37 AM

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Q: My wired USB keyboard is not recognised on my iMac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar May 22, 2014 7:25 AM in response to Simon Allen 1089
    Level 7 (28,783 points)
    Apple TV
    May 22, 2014 7:25 AM in response to Simon Allen 1089

    apple wires usb keyboard?

    apple key layout usb keyboard from other manufactor ?

    normal windows layout usb keyboard ?

  • by iPentax,

    iPentax iPentax Jun 19, 2014 4:56 AM in response to Simon Allen 1089
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 4:56 AM in response to Simon Allen 1089

    Hi Simon,

     

    Each and every OS X version I have Installed from Snow Leopard to Mavericks has been Unable to Identify the Wired Apple Keyboard or the Wireless version.

     

    Weird that the Apple Operating Systems are unable to recognise Apple products?

     

    Any ideas anyone?

  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Jun 19, 2014 5:12 AM in response to Simon Allen 1089
    Level 10 (122,900 points)
    Apple Music
    Jun 19, 2014 5:12 AM in response to Simon Allen 1089

    Have you tried a different USB port?

     

    Are you using an external USB hub?

  • by Simon Allen 1089,

    Simon Allen 1089 Simon Allen 1089 Jun 23, 2014 1:20 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 23, 2014 1:20 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    I have tried different ports but that does not make any difference and the only way I have managed to get it to work again is the PRAM reset.  I am not using an external hub.

     

    The crash occurs when I use Apple's dictation.  After about a minute when the text appears it stops and the machine locks up.  It is then I reboot but find the wired keyboard inoperable.

     

    I would quite like to have dictation working but now cannot risk it.  It takes too long to get the system stable again.

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Jun 23, 2014 2:59 PM in response to Simon Allen 1089
    Level 6 (13,972 points)
    iPad
    Jun 23, 2014 2:59 PM in response to Simon Allen 1089

    Is this an older style Apple wired keyboard?

    Is this an older Apple wired aluminum keyboard? Older versions of the Apple wired aluminum keyboard do not work or work well with newer model Macs.

    How old is this Apple wired keyboard?

  • by Simon Allen 1089,

    Simon Allen 1089 Simon Allen 1089 Jun 27, 2014 12:23 AM in response to MichelPM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 27, 2014 12:23 AM in response to MichelPM

    It was bought from the Apple Store about a year ago.  I did not know that there were different models  This one is Model A1243 and has part number of MB110B/B

     

    It worked out of the box and the only trouble I have had is when  I experience the Apple crash and it seems to destroy some software which is reset by the PRAM

  • by UOA1992,

    UOA1992 UOA1992 Mar 4, 2015 6:06 AM in response to Simon Allen 1089
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 4, 2015 6:06 AM in response to Simon Allen 1089

    I have a iMac 21.5 Mid 2011, 2.7ghz running the latest OS.  I have used the iMac wired keyboard A1243 since I purchased the iMac in October 2012, and I use the wired Apple Mouse. Recently, it quit recognizing the wired keyboard and mouse. It will run a Windows keyboard and an off brand mouse, but it won't recognize the Apple Products. It will also run the Bluetooth Keyboard and mouse. I have reset the PRAM twice. Also, the Sleep Mode no longer works properly. I always assumed that a wired keyboard and mouse were the best option for consistent performance and connectivity.  When I select Sleep Mode, the iMac will reactivate by itself.  I have seven months of Apple Care left.  My confidence in my iMac has begun to decline.

  • by lindro,

    lindro lindro Jan 20, 2016 6:55 PM in response to Simon Allen 1089
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 20, 2016 6:55 PM in response to Simon Allen 1089

    My wired keyboard and mouse will not work after a crash or the power going out.  It keeps asking for the wireless keyboard and mouse/trackpad.  I have these but prefer to use the wired keyboard and mouse.  The keyboard is about 4 months old and my imac is about 2 years old.  I've tried shutting off blue tooth. This is a recent problem and I'm wondering if Apple will address it sometime soon.

  • by Doug Grassey,

    Doug Grassey Doug Grassey Sep 23, 2016 12:41 AM in response to lindro
    Level 1 (19 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 23, 2016 12:41 AM in response to lindro

    I had this problem too after reboots. The computer would not recognize my wired keyboard. Saw a post online suggesting connecting the keyboard with a USB extension cord (one does come with the keyboard). This worked. Have no idea why but it works.