Substitute wired keyboard for wireless on first ever boot?

Question

peggy2 Author

Level 1

11 points

Substitute wired keyboard for wireless on first ever boot?

I have a new iMac Retina coming tomorrow and have a slight problem I don't know how to handle.

I am a first time Mac user so please understand that.

Here is the problem:

I accidently ordered a Swedish wireless keyboard instead of a WIRED U.S. keyboard.

So I went down to the Apple store and purchased the correct wired one. ( I didn't want to cancel and re-order and Apple already said they will change out at the store for me later)

Anyway, it is my understand that the iMac comes already configured and Bluetooth paired to whatever peripherals one has originally ordered. I also ordered the Trackpad instead of the mouse.

So now I don't know at which point to change out the wireless Swedish keyboard for the US wired!

Is it like on a PC? Where I just plug in the wired before the first boot and the Mac will just see it and instantly replace what it was configured for and accept the wired and forget about the wireless?

Or is it going to insist on the Swedish one? I don't speak Swedish or know that language so I am scared that it is going to asking me to type in all the setup questions that I won't be able to type in Swedish.

Has this even happened to anyone that can help me?

THANKS!

Posted on Nov 2, 2014 9:19 AM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Nov 2, 2014 9:57 AM in response to peggy2

Don't worry about it, simply plug in the USB keyboard and you're all set!

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Answer 2

peggy2 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 2, 2014 10:00 AM in response to rkaufmann87

you mean before the first boot or after?

THANKS FOR YOU REPLY!

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Nov 2, 2014 10:25 AM in response to peggy2

I mean forever. Simply plug in the USB keyboard and enjoy your new computer.

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Answer 4

peggy2 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 2, 2014 10:39 AM in response to rkaufmann87

I'm sorry to be so numb but I'm still not understanding when you say "Simply plug in the USB keyboard".

My question is do I "simply plug in the keyboard *BEFORE* I boot up the Mac or do I plug it in *AFTER* I boot?

That is my dilemma.

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Answer 5

MiJMac

Level 1

35 points

Nov 2, 2014 11:20 AM in response to peggy2

What was meant is there is no need to reboot the iMac. Turn on the wireless keyboard anytime and select "Open Bluetooth Preferences" from the Bluetooth pulldown at the top right-side of the screen. The window will show the "Apple Wireless Keyboard" with a "pair" select box. Select "pair" and you are done.

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Answer 6

MiJMac

Level 1

35 points

Nov 2, 2014 11:25 AM in response to MiJMac

To clarify further, when you follow the steps above and hit "pair" you will be prompted toe enter a 6-digit code on the keyboard keys, hit return and the pairing will complete.

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Answer 7

peggy2 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 2, 2014 11:26 AM in response to MiJMac

I am getting a bit frustrated here.

No one is understanding me. Maybe it's the way I communicate.

I am NOT trying to install a wireless keyboard and not worrying about re-booting.

Can someone please re-read my problem and provide a remedy?

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Answer 8

peggy2 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 2, 2014 11:26 AM in response to MiJMac

I am not trying to pair.

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Answer 9

MiJMac

Level 1

35 points

Nov 2, 2014 11:45 AM in response to peggy2

My apologies. I leapt without registering your details. Turn the wireless keyboard off. Then, you should be able to just plug in the wired keyboard. Then go to "System Preferences", select "keyboard", then "Input Sources". If "U.S." is not shown in the left part of the window and Swedish is, select "+" at the lower left of the window and select "U.S.". Then select Swedish if shown in the left part of the window and click on "-" in the lower left. That should do it. Hope that helps this time.

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Answer 10

peggy2 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 2, 2014 11:58 AM in response to MiJMac

Thank you so much, MiJMac!

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Answer 11

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,252 points

Nov 2, 2014 12:19 PM in response to peggy2

peggy2 wrote:

I am scared that it is going to asking me to type in all the setup questions that I won't be able to type in Swedish.

The keyboard doesn't have any effect on the language of the setup dialogue, nor does having a Swedish keyboard stop you from typing English. It just has a few different keys so that Swedish writers can type that language more easily. So you will be ok with either one connected.

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Answer 12

Nov 2, 2014 1:50 PM in response to peggy2

You can plug-in your wired keyboard before your first boot with no problem.

You could also plug-in your bluetooth keyboard before the first boot with no problem.

In fact, you can have both plugged in, it won't make any difference.

Your new iMac will be perfectly happy with either or both keyboards.

You could also have just one connected when you first boot up, then connect the other later, it simply does not matter.

If you had four hands, you could use both keyboards at the same time.

Enjoy your new iMac, you lucky person 😁

Tom

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Answer 13

peggy2 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 2, 2014 2:07 PM in response to Tom Nelson1

Thank you sooooo much Tom.

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