TuckerdogAVL

Q: Eject button on Mac Keyboard no longer works El Capitan

I can't seem to figure out how to get the eject button to work on the keyboard anymore. El Capitan and a Mac Mini, and an 8 year old DVD burner that works fine (It's actually firewire to lightning) I went into the setup, looked at the keyboard settings and I tried reclicking "use F1, F2, etc" as default. If I have that clicked, then the volume no longer works. Unclicking that box actually has all the Mac Keyboard defaults working, so that seems strange as well.

 

I plugged the keyboard directly into the back of the mac mini thinking maybe it was a hub issue.

 

Finding an answer to this is difficult as 10million answers on how to eject a jammed DVD is easy to find. So, is the answer "the eject button on a Mac Keyboard doesn't work with a third party DVD burner that is 8 years old?"

Mac mini (Late 2014), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Aug 13, 2016 8:44 AM

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Q: Eject button on Mac Keyboard no longer works El Capitan

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  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 14, 2016 3:41 AM in response to TuckerdogAVL
    Level 6 (14,328 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 14, 2016 3:41 AM in response to TuckerdogAVL

    Depending on the vintage of the keyboard in use, an upgrade to a later

    MacOS X can be an issue; certain models of Apple keyboard USB no

    longer appear to work after an OS X upgrade; or so I've read.

     

    If you have other known good keyboards to test, so as to narrow the

    possible cause, that may be helpful. However when peripheral items

    become obsoleted as the MacOS evolves, that is another matter.

     

    Troubleshoot by use of new recent build Apple USB keyboard. You

    may also request of sales person at reseller, test it before you leave.

     

    Since newest Macs don't have built in optical drives, be aware to

    avoid the compact keyboard that has no dedicated eject key.

     

    The aluminum extended Apple Keyboard may work out OK. You

    may have to contact third-party makers to ask if their product is

    up-to-date and can unquestionably work with El Capitan+ OS.

     

    My most recent Mac Mini shipped with Mavericks, so it runs 10.9.5;

    and I figure to need a new keyboard for a later MacOS. All of my old

    wired keyboards (& spares, new in box) are fine; but on upgrade, may

    develop issues. -- There may be backward compatibility issues too,

    if new keyboards, are used on old vintage newly obsolete USB Macs.

     

    This is a question (compatibility of peripherals) to ask Apple Sales, too.

    And keyboards can fail. - Compressed air and fine brush may dislodge

    tiny bits or artifacts from under the key-cap and spring assemblies.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by TuckerdogAVL,

    TuckerdogAVL TuckerdogAVL Aug 14, 2016 9:39 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 14, 2016 9:39 AM in response to K Shaffer

    My Apple Keyboard is four months old.
    Yes, I'm sure one of the issues is that I have a perfectly good CD/DVD writer, but it needs to be replaced and thrown in the land fill because it's just not new.

     

    I have a perfectly good scanner in the basement that would make a nice anchor because Canon decided to stop upgrading software. So much easier to throw in the landfill and replace.

     

    Having used computers since 1987 or so and have been with MACs since 2000, you are correct regarding the issues of upgrading. There are times though it gets very annoying. Particularly when you have a hobby as I do, shooting video, etc. and I have about 100 hrs of video I'm trying to get through to edit and make into home movies before the new software, etc. will no longer allow me to use the ancient 2005 Sony Camcorder, El Capitan, iMovie whatever number and the firewire to lighting etc.

     

    However, for those under 40s who have unlimited income and sees no problem upgrading every 18 months or so, to all new systems, phones, computers, tablets, phablets and such, it's not a problem. I've got an 8 year old refrigerator that is starting to "act up" and I have been told, seriously, "well, 8 -10 years is about the average life span now" On a friggin $2000 refrigerator? And this is acceptable? Meanwhile, the one from 1988 is still chugging away in the basement.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 14, 2016 2:11 PM in response to TuckerdogAVL
    Level 6 (14,328 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 14, 2016 2:11 PM in response to TuckerdogAVL

    From my experience, certain more recent model Macs have been more

    reliable than others; peripherals, not so much. Some scanners can last

    except for driver support; printers and all-in-ones develop issues. Those

    are not intended to last, and appear to be support vehicles to sell ink.

     

    I've owned, repaired, and donated Macs off and on over a few decades.

    Probably only about 400 or so. A few given to people I met who had need

    for one or two. My most recent OS X is Mavericks 10.9(.5) only because

    the last purchase (and third computer direct from Apple online) had that

    and not the hoped-for older 10.8.5. The older OS X may have been less

    of a gulf between other peripheral hardware than a later one.

     

    My other desktop Macs include one remaining old PowerPC 7300/120

    or some such similar build; it would need a new 3.6V battery to run &

    has MacOS 8.6. Still have applications for some vintage; gave away so

    much of the older stuff that I kinda feel sad because the later owners

    may have no idea how hard it was to get those items, even then in AK.

     

    To try a new keyboard or a known-good spare, is how I troubleshoot them.

    And use wired keyboards to avoid 'startup keyboard shortcut' failures.

     

    My two main Macs now are last model G4 Mac Mini 1.5GHz w/ 10.5.8;

    & Late 2012 Mac Mini i7 intel quad server 2.3GHz with dual 1-TB HDDs.

     

    Others include functional iBook G4 12-inch 1.33 last model, MacBook

    intel coreduo 1.83GHz first model (all older Macs have Leopard 10.5.8)

    + three iMac G4 1.25GHz 17-inch USB2.0 models; require various fixes.

    And one PowerBook G4 1.5GHz aluminum 12-inch w/ major issues.

     

    Most if not all of my early Macs required repair before I could use them.

    When in college, two courses required use of computers, but working

    full time in a trade while attending college 14 credits per semester did

    not allow me limited access computer lab time. An independent Mac

    reseller in the town where the college was, had a few early Macintosh

    models; but they declined to run my credit to see if I could finance...

     

    With 50% down for a $3500 Macintosh 1984 model. After that, with

    50% cash in hand, I bought a Yamaha Bravo snow machine instead;
    & a Canon TypeStar7 electronic typewriter, whose pages looked better

    than computer-printer ones from the college computer lab. As a bench

    jeweler, who took a job at wholesale wages to afford college, I was

    hard pressed to make schedules fit between full time in both places.

    It was later on that I was given my first Macintosh. It needed parts and

    an upgrade for me to try & make use; it did not work online or do email.

     

    I'd try a different keyboard. A few mac-centric brands also still exist.

    Or if you know Windows keyboards, they can be used OK in a pinch.

    And consider an external optical drive such as owc macsales shows.

     

    A bit of this and that. I have several spare (one new in box) keyboard

    from vising moving sales as noted on craigslist; drove miles to find

    the deal was a full sack of new Mac software plus new keyboard: $50.

    So I may need to buy a new aluminum keyboard with upgrade to Sierra.

     

    The world is a moving picture, take a frame at a time and slow motion

    through it. These items should not be given the attention afforded them.

    All this, & I still have two non-electric typewriters + a kerosene lamp.