iBiker

Q: Wireless Keyboard doesn't work anymore with Bootcamp running under El Capitan

I have a mid-2011 21.5" iMac 2.7Ghz, 12 GB with a Bootcamp partition with Windows 8 installed on it.

Everything used to work just fine.


In late September / early October I installed El Capitan, but never checked Bootcamp as only a few client projects require me to switch platforms.

A recurring project which needs to be updated with Windows apps landed back on my desk today.

So I launched Bootcamp/Wiindows and everything looked normal.

My Apple Wireless Mouse works but found, when I got to the Windows account log-in screen, that my Apple Wireless Keyboard doesn't work with Windows anymore.

 

I've read several threads on this discussion board, and tried suggestions made by various people: resetting the VMRAM, turning the iMac off and disconnecting the power supply, pairing the keyboard with Bluetooth in Mac OS X again. But no joy.

 

Several responses seem to indicate that there is software that can be downloaded within Windows which enable the keyboard to work again.

However I can't get passed the log in screen to reach the Windows desktop, because I need to enter my security number or password using my wireless keyboard.

 

So I appear to be stuck between a rock and a hard place :-(

Does anyone have any sensible, bright ideas that I can try in order to resolve this issue?

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2), 21.5", 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5, 12GB

Posted on Jan 7, 2016 10:34 AM

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Q: Wireless Keyboard doesn't work anymore with Bootcamp running under El Capitan

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jan 7, 2016 10:49 AM in response to iBiker
    Level 7 (23,813 points)
    Safari
    Jan 7, 2016 10:49 AM in response to iBiker

    Do you have a wired keyboard/mouse that can be connected to the iMac?

  • by iBiker,

    iBiker iBiker Jan 7, 2016 11:45 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 7, 2016 11:45 AM in response to Loner T

    Hi. No, I don't. If I had had access to one, I would have tried that option.

  • by Loner T,Helpful

    Loner T Loner T Jan 8, 2016 8:27 AM in response to iBiker
    Level 7 (23,813 points)
    Safari
    Jan 8, 2016 8:27 AM in response to iBiker

    If the keyboard and mouse work properly on the OSX side enable on-screen OSX Keyboard, that you can use with a mouse. Please see http://osxdaily.com/2013/06/21/mac-virtual-keyboard-os-x/ . Once your Virtual Keyboard is enabled, unpair only the Keyboard (but not the mouse).


    Switch the iMac to Windows using only the mouse (System Preferences -> Startup Disk). Once Windows is booted, test if your Keyboard can be paired with the iMac. Windows will also let you you use an on-screen keyboard. Look for the Ease of Access button on the login screen at bottom left or right.

  • by iBiker,

    iBiker iBiker Jan 7, 2016 12:11 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 7, 2016 12:11 PM in response to Loner T

    Thank-you. I'll give this a whirl when I'm back in the studio tomorrow morning  

  • by iBiker,

    iBiker iBiker Jan 8, 2016 8:41 AM in response to iBiker
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 8, 2016 8:41 AM in response to iBiker

    For anyone following this thread:

     

    Today I followed Loner T's instructions - see above.

    A quick tip regarding these - For ease, unlock your StartUp Disk Prefs BEFORE disabling your wireless keyboard.

    Once I got into Windows 8.1 I still couldn't get it to recognise my Apple Wireless keyboard.

    I decided to go back into Mac OS X and in doing so I received yet another Windows update.

    This provided me with the blue screen of death - Grrr! - so then had to run the Automatic Repair feature.

    Interestingly, at this point I was able to use my Apple Wireless keyboard to enter my Windows password - so something was working!

    To cut a long story short, I eventually managed to get back into Windows again using the on-screen keyboard, then in Windows Bluetooth Settings, located my Apple Wireless keyboard and deleted it.

    I then paired Windows with my keyboard again, and so far it's working fine.

     

    New technology eh!? Sometimes it just does my head in!

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jan 8, 2016 8:54 AM in response to iBiker
    Level 7 (23,813 points)
    Safari
    Jan 8, 2016 8:54 AM in response to iBiker

    Can I suggest you create a Windows System Restore point?

  • by iBiker,

    iBiker iBiker Jan 8, 2016 9:01 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 8, 2016 9:01 AM in response to Loner T

    Thanks for the suggestion. I have one.

    It's been a rather trying day.

    Thanks again for the advice regarding the keyboard, it's much appreciated.