Mac OS8.6 and keyboard access

Question

Mac OS8.6 and keyboard access

Greetings.
I have an old PowerComputing Powerbase 180 computer, which I believe was based on the Performa. It has Mac OS 8.6.

After several years of not using the computer, I got it to boot up--but found the USB mouse (I added a USB card) did not function. The Mac said it could not locate the software. I must have thrown out the original mouse, which I think was broken, long ago.

I have not been able to find a convenient list of access keys and functions, for use on the keyboard, without the mouse. I am hoping to be able to operate the computer from the keyboard, locate the USB functions and turn them on (I think they are disabled).

Can anyone help me? I used to use these occasionally, but cannot remember how to work the computer from the keyboard. Thanks very much.

David Pendery
Taipei, Taiwan

PowerComputing Powerbase 180, Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier

Posted on May 25, 2008 4:09 AM

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Answer 1

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

May 25, 2008 8:25 AM in response to JamesNightshade

David,

If an Easy Access control panel has been installed, it is possible to activate Mouse Keys. You could try pressing the three keys Command(Apple) + Shift + Num Lock. A sound should be heard if the control panel ( version 7.2) is there. See also this web page.

Otherwise, you can always select a folder or a file by quickly typing a few initial letters of the name. You can then open that folder/file via Command(Apple) + O. To close a window, use Command(Apple) + W. This way it is possible to navigate through a hard disk to a certain extent. However, it will not be possible to choose radio button options. An "OK" button should be "clickable" by pressing Return.

Jan

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Answer 2

May 26, 2008 1:47 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Jan,
Thanks, it was helpful. Once I realized that you can pretty easily get into the hard drive, I realize you don't need the menus.

I got to Universal Access/Easy Access function per your suggestion. There, I needed to turn on the "Mouse Keys" button, per your keyboard combination. Unfortunately, the Shift AppleNum Lock did not shift the button from "off" to "on." No keys will access into this control panel, it is simply dead, and so without the mouse--which the designers should have planned for, for this is why you might be accessing this panel in the first place--I am stuck.

Truly, in the Mac OS there are too many buttons and "return" functions that do not function with either a tab or return key (that has always been a problem). Sometimes they do, they majority of time they are just silent.

But thanks again, it was a near miss at this point.

David Pendery

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Answer 3

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

May 26, 2008 3:33 AM in response to JamesNightshade

Hi David,

I got to Universal Access/Easy Access function per your suggestion. There, I needed to turn on the "Mouse Keys" button, per your keyboard combination. Unfortunately, the Shift AppleNum Lock did not shift the button from "off" to "on."

Would it be correct to assume that the Easy Access control panel is in the Control Panels folder (inside the System Folder)? If not, the Command(Apple) + Shift + Num Lock combination will not work.

Jan

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Answer 4

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

May 26, 2008 3:49 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Addendum

If in fact the Easy Access control panel is placed somewhere outside of the Control Panels folder, the part about AppleScript in this discussion could possibly be of interest.

With the control panel in its correct position (and after a restart), the Command(Apple) + Shift + Num Lock (not Caps Lock) combination should enable Mouse Keys.

Jan

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Answer 5

May 26, 2008 6:43 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Jan,
If you are still looking, you are probably going to think this is really elementary.

I was going to double check and go back to the system folder, as you suggest, and look for the Universal Access controller. I was working okay with the machine--after I had inserted the PowerComputing CD (recall that I was getting a question mark when I tried to start the Mac alone). After putting in the CD, the machine opened normally, with my original hard disk showing and controlling the computer (thus, I could get to the System Controls, yesterday). But then, something happened and I re-started, and then only the CD showed up, not my hard disk. So now I can't do what you asked, accessing the machine's actual control panels (the Startup Disk control panel on the CD does not show the original hard disk--which I think I could not select anyway, because I don't have a mouse).

So now I have this neutered computer running on the CD (by the way, again I was unable to startup the Mouse Keys that are located on the Universal Access control the CD). I have restarted, removed the disk, tried to start up, with no luck.

I used to to go through this on occasion, and was always able to start up from my hard disk. But I have not had to do this in years! I have had no such problems on my PowerBook.

So, what am I doing wrong now--and I know this is all elementary....

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Answer 6

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

May 26, 2008 11:41 PM in response to JamesNightshade

David,

(recall that I was getting a question mark when I tried to start the Mac alone).

re-started, and then only the CD showed up, not my hard disk.

Apparently, the computer cannot locate a valid system folder on the hard drive. To begin with, you may want to try to reset the PRAM. Since the computer had not been used for a long time, it may also be a very good idea to check the internal battery.

A disappearing hard disk can be caused by several factors, including both software and hardware issues. If the disk contains important files (that have not been backed up), do not do anything until you have investigated the matter further. Otherwise, there is a risk of permanently losing information.

the Mouse Keys that are located on the Universal Access control the CD

I am not really acquainted with PowerComputing machines/CDs, but is this not only the location for files to be installed as an option? If so, the control panel is probably not in a Control Panels folder inside a System Folder.

Jan

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