Plugging keyboard into monitor

Question

Plugging keyboard into monitor

Just brought home the Mac Pro after upgrading from my old PowerMac. I used to have my keyboard on the PowerMac plugged into the usb female port on back of old LCD monitor. With the MacPro there is 3 available ports behind monitor, but if I plug keyboard in it does not work. If I plug keyboard into tower it works fine. But, that configuration is inconvenient. Why won't the keyboard work when plugged into the monitor. (PS - monitor is the new 24" display).

Secondly, this new monitor has three male outputs. One is a USB, the others are some new fangled connections that I'm unfamiliar with. The USB male - when plugged into USB female on tower - does not work. Monitor is blank. The little one works fine, but that is so short that it does not easily reach the tower. Shouldn't the USB work? Does anyone know if there is an extension cord for that little jack?

Thanks,
David

PowerMac G5 Dual 2 GHz 4G RAM

Posted on May 23, 2009 1:14 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

May 23, 2009 1:38 PM in response to David Desrocher

I do believe Apples stipulates that you need to connect the keyboard directly to the computer. Not sure exactly where I remember seeing that. Something about not connecting the keyboard through a hub (may be a power issue) and the monitor's ports are a hub.

Yes, there are extensions for the keyboard. My Mac Pro came with one I think (at least I have one that's got the Apple logo on it.)

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Answer 2

May 23, 2009 1:40 PM in response to Kappy

Mine came with a USB extension cord, but not one for that little monitor input? What is that anyway? Is that USB-2?

The PowerMac let you plug into the monitor. Much more convenient. Oh well. i'll get over it.

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Answer 3

xnav

Level 5

7,113 points

May 23, 2009 1:45 PM in response to David Desrocher

I've had no problems plugging by keyboard into the monitor and then the mouse into the keyboard. The extra ports on my monitor are FireWire.

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

May 23, 2009 1:46 PM in response to David Desrocher

What type of keyboard connector does yours have? The original keyboards use USB ports, so any USB extension should work.

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Answer 5

May 23, 2009 1:52 PM in response to Kappy

The extra ports on my monitor are USB. My keyboard connector is USB also. When I unplug from the tower and plug into the monitor, it ceases to work.

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Answer 6

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

May 23, 2009 2:05 PM in response to David Desrocher

I have sometimes plugged into the back of ACD, and sometimes directly into the tower (front or back depending on location).

And sometimes (10.5.2) there was a lot of trouble.

The ACD has a USB and FW short cable that needs to be plugged into the back of the tower to be feed from the monitor obviously to make it happen.

There are two USB and two FW ports on the Apple CD.
Sometimes I would plug the mouse into the keyboard, other times into the backside of the monitor.

The USB Apple extension cable has been known to be culprit for some users.

Pinched USB cables are always suspect.

Right now my tower is 2-3 ft behind my desk so plugging into the monitor is a lot less trouble, no extensions, and working fine.

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Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

May 23, 2009 2:07 PM in response to David Desrocher

I would suggest you use the port on the tower, then, since it works. Use the extension cord if necessary. I have a similar setup on my Mac Pro.

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Answer 8

May 23, 2009 3:31 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks.

What about the connection to the tower for the display? There are 3 outputs - MagSafe, USB, and Mini DisplayPort. I first tried the USB port, directly into tower, the monitor did not work. I used the Mini DisplayPort and this works. But, this is not nearly long enough for my set-up. Is there an extension cord for this that anyone is aware of?

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Answer 9

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

May 23, 2009 3:43 PM in response to David Desrocher

As far as I'm aware you must use the display port from the computer to the display port on the monitor. You can buy extension cables but I'm not sure if you can find one compatible with the mini-display port. As far as I'm aware there is no MagSafe connector on a desktop Mac. Older PPC models do not have mini display ports. They usually use the older VGA or DVI connectors depending upon what's supported by the video card used. Extensions for the "standard" 15 pin DVI cables are available or you can just buy a longer cable. They are available at least up to 15 feet.

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Answer 10

May 23, 2009 3:50 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you. My new monitor has no DVI input at all. Just the three outputs I mention. I did find that the Apple store sells a mini display to dvi adapter. So, I suppose, to extend the cable, I could go from mini display into a dvi cable and into the back of the mac pro.

Thanks...

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Answer 11

May 23, 2009 9:31 PM in response to David Desrocher

Thank you. My new monitor has no DVI input at all. Just the three outputs I mention. I did find that the Apple store sells a Mini DisplayPort to dvi adapter. So, I suppose, to extend the cable, I could go from Mini DisplayPort into a DVI cable and into the back of the Mac Pro.

That will not work. That adapter is for connecting a DVI display to a computer with a Mini DisplayPort.

The cable from the Apple 24" LED display has three plugs, MagSafe, USB, and MiniDisplay port. The MagSafe is not used with a MacPro. Both the USB and the Mini DisplayPort should be plugged into the Mac Pro. The keyboard should then work plugged into one of the USB ports on the display. To extend the cable, you need both a USB extension and a Mini DisplayPort extension.
<http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c id=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024602&pid=5502&seq=1&format=2>

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Answer 12

May 24, 2009 6:12 AM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

Malcolm,
Thank you so much! That did it. So much better for my configuration....

I'll purchase those extensions now and I won't have to have my tower pointed sideways just so that the cords reach.

Again, much appreciated.

Take care-
Dave

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Answer 13

direwolf8

Level 4

1,286 points

May 26, 2009 10:43 AM in response to David Desrocher

No hurry -- the cables aren't actually available for purchase yet.

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