Sometime after the latest SL updates, the volume control keys on my keyboard (original iMac wired keyboard) stopped working. I tried reinstalling the full 10.6.3 combo update, repairing permissions, reseting PRAM, checking system log for "NVRAM" references...still no action. It doesn't seem likely that all 3 keys for volume and mute would fail at the same time, so I assume this is software. Any ideas?
iMac 17" 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo,
Mac OS X (10.6.3)
If that doesn't help, you might also try trashing the com.apple.soundpref.plist in Preferences in the Library in your Home Folder. This one might be corrupted and doing this will automatically generate a new one.
Same problem here. I have 10.63 installed on a 320gb and the volume controls work. I installed a 1TB drive and put a fresh 10.63 on it but the volume keys don't work. No idea why...
Which "original iMac wired keyboard" do you have? If it is the full-sized white one with the transparent frame (Identified in System Profiler as "Apple Pro Keyboard" with a product ID of 0x1003), it doesn't have a function key & you won't see the "Use all F1, F2 etc. as standard function keys" option.
For this keyboard, the volume keys are not dual function, but they should still work as they always have with 10.6.4. (I just checked with mine substituted for the newer aluminum one I normally use, & the keys still control volume.)