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Apple Wireless Keyboard Eating Batteries

I have a year old wireless apple keyboard (the small aluminum one) and lately it has been eating batteries.
This did not happen before I installed snow leopard however that might not be the cause.

Is anyone else having these problems?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Persol

MBP 15" 2.2 Santa Rosa, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Nov 12, 2009 1:34 AM

Reply
534 replies

Nov 25, 2009 3:59 PM in response to persol19

Same problem lately, I've had the wireless keyboard since Sept07 without any issues. However lately the batteries seem to only last a few weeks. Note, I am on 10.5.8 with the old wireless might mouse.

FYI I just noticed Apple released a new wireless keyboard firmware update v2.0 on 11/09/09. My current keyboard firmware is v1.64. Nothing mentioned in the release notes, but hopefully it will help with the battery life.

<http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/firmware_hardware/wirelesskeyboardu pdate20.html>

Nov 25, 2009 5:17 PM in response to persol19

According to the notes, the firmware update was included with 10.6.2, which I'm running. Also it refers to the "2009" aluminum keyboard, and mine is older. Just to be sure tho, how did you verify the firmware on your keyboard? In my System Profiler I get the version reported as 320, which doesn't seem to tell me much!

Nov 25, 2009 6:42 PM in response to Community User

You are correct, I missed that detail, it is for the 2009 keyboards. And sure enough the update did not update the firmware. In trying to debug my issue, I had the keyboard connected to a winxp lenovo x61s laptop. Under bluetooth keyboard properties it displays Firmware v1.64 from Apple, Inc. But like yours, under system profiler it reports 320.

Nov 26, 2009 1:19 PM in response to persol19

It appears that something is keeping the keyboard from sleeping. In my non-scientific testing, I've been leaving the machine alone for a while, then tapping the Caps Lock key to see if it immediately changes state. When the keyboard has been sleeping, it takes at least two presses for the LED to come on. I'm finding that often the LED responds immediately, indicating it wasn't asleep after prolonged non-use.

Just to cover the bases, is anyone else who is experiencing this issue either or both of:
- iStat Server
- Parallels Desktop 5 (with Windows 7)

I updated both of these about the same time as I acquired the Magic Mouse, and want to make sure I'm chasing the right suspect(s)!

Also has anyone switched back to a mighty mouse to see if the issue goes away?

Nov 29, 2009 1:00 AM in response to persol19

I have the 1st gen wireless keyboard and I remember putting in new batteries a week before my birthday which is Nov 19th. I received a brand new Magic Mouse as a birthday present and I had it set up right away. After installing the Magic Mouse software, everything seems to be working just fine, although I notice that my computer / screen would not go to sleep, but screensaver works though. So I restart my iMac and sleeping works again.

On Nov 27th, my iMac warns me that the keyboard battery is running low. On Nov 28th, I have to replace those batteries I put in 9 days ago because I couldn't type in my password when I try to wake my iMac from sleep. As I am typing this message, the battery level of my wireless keyboard is at 81% and today is Nov 29th. 19% in one day! Something is wrong Apple!

One more thing, with the new Magic Mouse software installed, the keyboard & mouse preference is now 2 separate preferences in System Preference. When I go into the new keyboard preference and click on the 'Set Up Bluetooth Keyboard...' on the lower right corner, it starts searching for my Bluetooth keyboard but could never find it even though I had the keyboard paired already in the Bluetooth preference pane. Strange!

Last but not least, I did download & install the keyboard firmware 2.0 firmware. I don't know if it has anything do with the battery issue, I couldn't even find a way to identify if my keyboard firmware is updated to 2.0. If anyone knows how, do tell pls.

Nov 30, 2009 12:21 PM in response to johnson167

having the same issue. vintage 2008 small aluminum BT keyboard started eating batteries. also seems to correlate with new Magic Mouse & associated drivers. fresh "premium" batteries only lasting 7-10 days. not having a problem with the Magic Mouse or its batteries (original shipped batteries still @ 67% after 30+ days), just the keyboard is a problem. wondering whether the new driver is keeping the keyboard from "sleeping", i.e. full power all the time and thus consuming a lot more power even when not in use.

Apple Wireless Keyboard Eating Batteries

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