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Keyboard that allows pause/break, prt screen etc?

I use Windows 10 in Bootcamp a lot, and currently I use a Logitech keyboard when using Windows and a Magic Apple keyboard when I'm using macOS.

I need the functionality of the Windows num pad keys, e.g. pause/break, etc.

Ideally, I would like to dump the Logitech keyboard as it looks not so good, and it's messy swapping keyboards all the time.

I have looked at various bolt on numpads for Mac, e.g. Belkin or Cateck, but can't see which ones will provide the functionality I need. They all seem to have keys like home/page down/end, etc. but it is not always obvious about things like the pause/break key.

Also, I know there is supposed to be a way of getting these keys using the standard Apple Magic Keyboard, e.g. Shift+Fn+F11 for print screen, but they don't work if you have the function keys set to 'standard function keys' in Bootcamp control panel.

Can anyone recommend a solution to this, e.g. a numpad type extension that works with the keys I mentioned? Does the large Apple Magic Keyboard work with all these Windows keys?

iPhone 6s, iMac late 2015, etc. etc.

Posted on Mar 8, 2018 2:36 AM

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69 replies

igmackenzie Author

Level 4

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Apr 1, 2018 12:37 AM in response to Loner T

Sorry, sleep got in the way of progress!

Yes, they are all installed.

Interestingly, ever since pairing/connecting the Magic Mouse, the Trackpad has started working! I've rebooted 3 or 4 times in both macOs and Windows and everything is OK. I'll test it out a bit more and post later.

igmackenzie Author

Level 4

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Apr 1, 2018 4:22 AM in response to igmackenzie

False dawn. Back where I was.

So, after dozens of attempts to get this working and days of rebooting, this is where I am. If I want to have my new iMac MT2 working in both macOS and Windows, I have 2 options:

1) when using macOS both trackpad and keyboard work fine as long as I have not had the trackpad switched on (not using!) in Windows. If I have had the trackpad switched on when using Windows, it will not work in macOS until I have reconnected it in BT prefs, which then gives it a different link key. If I switch off the trackpad BEFORE booting into Windows, then the keyboard works and I have to use a Logitech IR mouse. Then, everything works OK in macOS when restarting. Or:

2) I use the trackpad plugged in with the lightning cable all the time I am booted into Windows, then disconnect it when booting into macOS.

It's a mess, and I wish that I could resolve this. Really spoling the experience of my new iMac. Tempted to go back to my late 2015 model!

Loner T

Level 9

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Apr 1, 2018 8:06 AM in response to igmackenzie

This is now an expensive problem to solve, because we need a method of capturing BT packets between various devices. Based on what you have posted so far, you are switching between two separate drivers on the Windows side, and the stability of the connection on the Windows side is questionable.

A wired connection is a completely different device, so it is not a good comparison between BT and wired connections for the MT2.

igmackenzie Author

Level 4

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Apr 1, 2018 12:39 PM in response to Loner T

Thanks as ever for your contribution.

However, I really don't understand what you mean. Why expensive? Can you elaborate on that?

All I want to do is boot into macOS and Windows with the same devices, why should that be so hard?

I've done this many times with different Macs over the years. Why should my new iMac be different?

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Apr 1, 2018 1:01 PM in response to igmackenzie

Capturing BT packets is quite a fun task, and not an easy one. On both 2015 and 2017 iMacs, the BT and WiFi Radio is the same. Any USBc Macs in the environment produce a bad experience when BT (using 2.4G) interacts with wireless on the same band.

I am certain the wired experience with MT2/MK2 is much more stable than the wireless one. I expect the 2017 iMac to behave a bit worse than the 2015 one, partly due to lack of USBc. BT-LE also contributes to some of the challenges.

Older Macs have much better drivers than Macs after 2015. I have a 2014 iMack 5K, it so much better than any later iMacs. I personally do not like either MT2 or MK2.

igmackenzie Author

Level 4

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Apr 1, 2018 2:00 PM in response to Loner T

I really don't understand what you are saying here. I simply want my devices to work in macOS and Windows. How can that be hard?

I have owned many Macs over the years, and have not come across this issue before. Hundreds of thousands of users have their trackpad working fine in Windows.

I have spent many hours on this issue (and I know you have tried to help), and I'm getting the impression that you are saying there is no solution.

Really? This is ridiculous.

If you can't offer any other solutioms, I guess I'll take it up with Apple.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Apr 1, 2018 2:48 PM in response to igmackenzie

Your devices do work. The MK2 works, as does MM. It is the MT2, which is a problem. You can replace the MT2 and see if that helps. If you take it to Apple store and your MT2 works - in Windows - then it points to an environmental issue local to your environment. Your devices also work correctly on the 2015 iMac.

Irrespective of thousands of users, each environment is unique. Debugging BT packets is not an easy task, because it requires very specific capture devices. We have tested possible solutions, but unless we debug the packet exchange, we will be unable to find the root cause. It can be a driver bug, dropped packets, RF interference,..., . See CaptureSetup/Bluetooth - The Wireshark Wiki for reference. Also see Ubertooth One .

Can you check the Event Viewer on the Windows side and see if there are any PnP events or BT events which provide error messages?

igmackenzie Author

Level 4

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Apr 1, 2018 4:45 PM in response to Loner T

Thanks again. I will look at Event Viewer tomorrow after I’ve had some sleep!

However, I can’t agree with what you said. My devices are not working correctly, otherwise we wouldn’t be having this exchange.

I have owned many Macs over many years, and this situation is a first.

It is crazy that we are talking about BT packets and Event Viewer output for something that should work out of the box!

Loner T

Level 9

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Apr 1, 2018 5:29 PM in response to igmackenzie

igmackenzie wrote:

However, I can’t agree with what you said. My devices are not working correctly, otherwise we wouldn’t be having this exchange.

In one of your previous posts, you mention..

igmackenzie wrote:

Tempted to go back to my late 2015 model!

Do the devices work on 2015 iMac? Do devices other than MT2 work properly on the 2015 iMac?

igmackenzie wrote:

I have owned many Macs over many years, and this situation is a first.

It is crazy that we are talking about BT packets and Event Viewer output for something that should work out of the box!

Has the MT2/iMac 2017 ever worked since you first used it? They are supposed to work out of the box, but if they are not, and macOS works properly, then barring hardware issues, you either have a Windows driver issues and/or an environmental issue. Correct?

igmackenzie Author

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Apr 2, 2018 3:59 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks again. The whole thing is a mess and I'm going crazy!

So, I tried another MT2 and as with the other one, everything was fine as long as I stayed in one OS. Paired and connected fine to Windows. All functionality was OK. I rebooted several times and all was well.

Then I went into macOS, and conneced to the 'new' MT2, and the same, i.e. full functionality.

So, I tried going back into Windows, and, surprise, surpise, the MT2 didn't work.

It is clearly an issue where the 2 OSes are changing something in the device that the other doesn't subsequently recognise.

I have attached my MT2 driver info from Device Manager. Is that what you see? Is this what I should be seeing?

Loner T

Level 9

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Apr 2, 2018 6:14 AM in response to igmackenzie

igmackenzie wrote:

The whole thing is a mess and I'm going crazy!

Yes, it is, indeed.

It is clearly an issue where the 2 OSes are changing something in the device that the other doesn't subsequently recognize. I have attached my MT2 driver info from Device Manager. Is that what you see? Is this what I should be seeing?

The only change should be made at the time of pairing, with the Link keys. Once the devices are paired, there should not be any change, except Security information related to the connection, If any. If you use the new MT2 and un-pair it from both Windows and macOS, is this repeatable behavior? If yes, what I suggest we do is to look at the macOS Plist and see if there are any changes, before and after you switch to macOS.

Loner T

Level 9

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Apr 2, 2018 6:15 AM in response to igmackenzie

igmackenzie wrote:

Here is what the BT devices look like with the 'Add a device' just permanently saying 'Connecting'... for the MT2.

Are you also using the Logitech RF Receiver for a Logitech mouse at the same time as a MT2?

Good to see the Apple driver for the TouchPad Pro.

igmackenzie Author

Level 4

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Apr 2, 2018 6:22 AM in response to Loner T

Loner T: If you use the new MT2 and un-pair it from both Windows and macOS, is this repeatable behavior? If yes, what I suggest we do is to look at the macOS Plist and see if there are any changes, before and after you switch to macOS.

Yes, it is repeatable, and I'm happy to try anything at this stage!

Loner T: Are you also using the Logitech RF Receiver for a Logitech mouse at the same time as a MT2?

Yes, I am, but I've always used them together without an issue. I have tried disconnecting the IR receiver, and that also makes no difference.

igmackenzie Author

Level 4

2,359 points

Apr 2, 2018 10:08 AM in response to Loner T

No joy. Business as usual. Had to re-pair MT2 in macOS, and Windows says MT2 'paired' but not connected.

Weirdly, macOS keeps renaming the MT2 to 'Iain Mackenzie's trackpad' rather than what I named it as, i.e. 'Magic Trackpad 2'.

igmackenzie Author

Level 4

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Apr 2, 2018 3:38 PM in response to Loner T

Well, it's not set differently, but.... what happens is that the MT2 is called 'Magic Trackpad 2', and it shows up as that in Windows. In macOS, when I go to BT prefs, it also shows up as that name, but whenever I 'Connect' to it, the name changes to 'Iain Mackenzie's Trackpad'.

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Keyboard that allows pause/break, prt screen etc?