BDOGDOWN

Q: Parallels Windows 10 install froze my iMac?

Greetings.  I've got a late 2013 21'' iMac that beautifully ran El Capitan and then Windows 8.1 using Parallels.  I have never had a single issue with the iMac or Parallels or Windows until last week.

 

However, after Parallels put Windows 10 on the machine, I cannot log on to my iMac because I cannot get the iMac to read the USB keyboard.  Regrettably, I didn't have the bluetooth keyboard paired with the machine previously because the bluetooth mouse works perfectly.  The USB keyboard works fine on other machines, but all of my USB ports appear to be dead when I boot up the iMac.

 

If I boot the iMac in Recovery Mode, power to the USB ports comes back, but the keyboard and other peripherals still do not function.  Reading through other message boards, I successfully used a USB extender dongle with an external power source for a week when first confronted with this problem, but even now that does not work to get the keyboard to be recognized.

 

I did an SMC reset, but that did nothing.

 

I tried a NVRAM reset, but could not get that to work since the iMac does not recognize the keyboard and the inputs I'm making on it.

 

I would just use the bluetooth keyboard, but I can't get past the iMac log-on screen to pair the devices.

 

So my question is, did the Parallels install of Windows 10 cause this USB problem? And if so  (and if not) how do I go about getting back access to my iMac so it isn't just a beautiful paperweight here on my desk?

 

Thanks

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Dec 8, 2015 3:24 AM

Close

Q: Parallels Windows 10 install froze my iMac?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Dec 8, 2015 5:05 AM in response to BDOGDOWN
    Level 6 (8,313 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 8, 2015 5:05 AM in response to BDOGDOWN

    Remove ALL other USB devices from your system and reboot

     

    Is it an apple USB keyboard or 3rd party? If 3rd party is a Mac or Windows keyboard?
    Do you have another USB keyboard you can try?

    do the caps lights come on when you get to the login screen on the USB keyboard?

     

    Can you run diagnostics on the screen?

    Using Apple Diagnostics - Apple Support

     

    Do you have an extended warranty on the device?

    If so contact Apple and see if you can get the device seen by someone at an Apple Store

    If it's out of warranty there may be a cost associated with having it brought in.

  • by BDOGDOWN,

    BDOGDOWN BDOGDOWN Dec 8, 2015 8:58 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2015 8:58 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    Removing all other USB devices did not resolve the problem.

     

    It is a Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 v1.0 that works perfectly when plugged into an Apple laptop.  Only when it is plugged into the iMac is it unresponsive.  The Caps lights did not come on at the log-in screen on the USB keyboard.

     

    I was not able to run diagnostics since the desktop did not received the key command when pushing down "D" after powering it on.

     

    I do not have an extended warranty on the device, but I do not mind taking it into the local Apple Store.  I'm avoiding the Apple Store though as it is an hour drive away.

     

    I am just trying to see if there is an alternate log-in method I am unaware of. Once I get into the computer I can enable the bluetooth keyboard, run diagnostics, etc. 

     

    Thanks for your response!