How to use PC numeric keypad in MacOS 10.4

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Level 1

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How to use PC numeric keypad in MacOS 10.4

Hello!

Sorry if this is not the right place to ask. I work in a computer shop and recently I sold a cheap noname USB keyboard to an Apple user. I don't know which model his Mac is, but he told me it originally had MacOS 9 installed and he upgraded to MacOS X 10.4 Tiger which is the maximum supported by the hardware. The new keyboard works fine, except for the numeric keypad. It is always off and I wonder if there is any way to enable it so he can type numbers from there. I went to his place, had a look in Settings/Keyboard but could not find anything relevant. I also tried Google, but I didn't manage to find anything useful. I hope you know which setting or key combination or third-party utility can enable the numpad in a non-apple keyboard at a real Mac. If the keyboard where Microsoft or Logitech, I could try the respective driver, but as I already said this is noname.

Any help appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Thanks!

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4)

Posted on Apr 24, 2013 5:11 AM

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Answer 1

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Apr 24, 2013 11:24 AM in response to spapakons

I remember way back in the PC days there was some key you pressed on the keyboard to switch between numberic mode and cursor mode on the keyboard.

I'm surprised the keyboard didn't work.

Proably cheapest solution is to buy an apple keyboard.

There are keyboard remapping programs around, but Tiger is old so there would be extra searching.

Here is one example... I do not know how much work this would be.

Simply use DoubleCommand software. It is a free program

http://theos.in/apple/download-doublecommand-to-remap-keyboard-keys/

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Answer 2

spapakons Author

Level 1

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Apr 24, 2013 12:07 PM in response to rccharles

Hello!

Thank you for the quick reply. Yes, I saw the program while searching in Google, but I'm not sure that it can activate the numeric keypad. At least, I didn't spot any such option when looking at the photos. The Mac is not mine, so I cannot just try things. I have to be sure that something works before I go to the customer. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the keyboard. When connected in a PC, the numlock works as expected. It only doesn't work on the Mac. I also read somewhere that I should disable mouse keys, but I don't remember seeing any such feature in Settings. Anyone can guide my please?

Thank you again.

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Answer 3

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Apr 24, 2013 1:31 PM in response to spapakons

Here is an app to tell you the keycodes.

http://mac.softpedia.com/get/System-Utilities/Full-Key-Codes.shtml

I also read somewhere that I should disable mouse keys,

That's under universal access. [ handn't thought of that. ]

blue apple > system preferences > universal access

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Answer 4

ZZANADUU

Level 1

0 points

Jun 30, 2013 12:22 PM in response to spapakons

Hey folks I figured it out for Mountain Lion. Go to system preferences > select Accessibility under System group > select Mouses and Trackpad from the left hand side of the window > Uncheck Enable Mouse Keys ----------- Eureka! It worked for me - I have a Mac Mini. See screenshot below-

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