ADB Apple Extended Keyboard under Tiger

[vcomputer]

I have an International Apple Extended Keyboard II (german layout) connected to my macs via Griffin's iMate ADB-USB-Adaptor. Since I love its haptics, I don't want to stop using it.

My setup was running perfectly under all versions of Mac OS (Classic and X) up to 10.4.0.0. Running the Tiger first time, the "Keyboard Assistant" popped up asking what type of keyboard I was using.
Regardless of the selection, the keyboard is only partly working. Two keys are causing problems:

The [<] key (between [left shift] and [y]) will print a [^].
The [^] key (above [tab], left to [1]) has no function at all.

I was thinking of building a custom keyboard layout, but since this also changes the built-in keyboard layout this solution is far from optimal.
Running the "Keyboard Assistant" from the "Keyboard & Mouse" Control Panel, I can fix the [<] key by selecting 'ANSI' instead of (correct) ISO. But the [^] key is still rendered useless. (serious regex fun... :-/ )

Also unsuccessfully tried using the AppleADBKeyboard kext from 10.3.9 (version 237.3.3) instead of Tiger's 238.3.4.

Anyone a hint, what's changed or what Extension I could replace for a cure? Anyone still using these ol'mama keyboards?

Thanks in advance,
vcomputer

[tlarkin]

I have an International Apple Extended Keyboard II (german layout) connected to my macs via Griffin's iMate ADB-USB-Adaptor. Since I love its haptics, I don't want to stop using it.

My setup was running perfectly under all versions of Mac OS (Classic and X) up to 10.4.0.0. Running the Tiger first time, the "Keyboard Assistant" popped up asking what type of keyboard I was using.
Regardless of the selection, the keyboard is only partly working. Two keys are causing problems:

The [<] key (between [left shift] and [y]) will print a [^].
The [^] key (above [tab], left to [1]) has no function at all.

I was thinking of building a custom keyboard layout, but since this also changes the built-in keyboard layout this solution is far from optimal.
Running the "Keyboard Assistant" from the "Keyboard & Mouse" Control Panel, I can fix the [<] key by selecting 'ANSI' instead of (correct) ISO. But the [^] key is still rendered useless. (serious regex fun... :-/ )

Also unsuccessfully tried using the AppleADBKeyboard kext from 10.3.9 (version 237.3.3) instead of Tiger's 238.3.4.

Anyone a hint, what's changed or what Extension I could replace for a cure? Anyone still using these ol'mama keyboards?

Thanks in advance,
vcomputer


Wow, I am surprised you are still getting that old thing to work in OS X enviroments!. Well, I do have an old ADB 2 USB adapter lying around somewhere and I do have an old school monitor with matching adb keyboard and mouse for when I got to work on the dinosaurs. I can give it a whirl to see what I can come up with, but I am pretty sure apple just dumped support for it. I would try looking into the open source community for support for that old thing.

[vcomputer]

If you have a closer look under the hood, you can see that ADB is still very present even in today's Apple hardware. The current 12" PB e.g. connects the keyboard through the PMU99 (see: http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/12inchPowerBookG4/index.html), which includes an ADB controller.
This might suggest, Apple does not dump support for ADB anytime too soon.

As for Open Source, I already had a brief look into Darwin's ADBKeyboard Source. Anyone interested can have a start here:
http://darwinsource.opendarwin.org/10.3.9/AppleADBKeyboard-237.3.3/
http://darwinsource.opendarwin.org/10.4.2/AppleADBKeyboard-238.3.4/

But IMHO there was nothing of notable interest. That's why I'm asking for a clue. I don't think, the problem is caused by AppleADBKeyboard.kext.

[AHunter3]

Committed Saratoga user here.

I am going to guess that the problem lies with the instrux that tell the OS that you're using the German keyboard layout.

[vcomputer]

Do you have a clue, which part of the OS (Extension) does accomplish this?
Where is the mapping between [pressed key] and [keyevent] established?

[MacMikeMuc]

Hello vscomputer,

I just switched to Tiger and now I have the exact same problem :-((
Did you find something which solved this? This old keybourd is/was simply the best keyboard Apple ever build!!!!!

best regards
Michael

PS.: Mac OS 10.4.3

[vcomputer]

It's been a while. Forgot to respond with my solution:

System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard -> Change Keyboard Type... -> ( in 'Keyboard Setup Assistant') Continue -> "<" -> ANSI (USA) -> Done

This gives you a working keyboard again. The setting doesn't persist a Fast User Switch though, but survives a sleep command.

So, basically rather use the ANSI instead of the ISO setting and you're fine.

It's not 100% perfect, but reasonable for me. Could probably be improved with some sort of AS or read-only system setting. I definitely need that key when I'm in the Terminal and since I only lose the setting when my girl was using her account, it's rather a non-issue.

[MacMikeMuc]

Hi vcomputer,

thanks for the late reply. Better than never ;-)
I will get it a try next time I boot with Tiger. Currently I still use Panther for some other issues.

I hoped, that we can "hack" the OS and copy the important part from Panther where this keybouard was perfectly supported and recognized.

kind regards,
Michaell

[autom8]

Hi

Have a look at Controllermate - http://www.orderedbytes.com/controllermate/

You can reconfigure your keybaord to do whatever you want.

Dave

[MacMikeMuc]

Hello Dave,

I've checked this programm allready. But it also doesn't recognise this one key just left from "1" :-(((

But I've found something other: The universal binary of 10.4.8 seems to recognise this key in the login window. And only there.

And something more interesting is, that the normal 10.4.8 on a B&W G3 will recognize this key (perhaps because this computer was the last one with an native ADB-connector). If I have time, I will test the ADB-Keyboard with an iMate at this computer and than we can compare the difference if the Keyboard is connected direct or with the Imate. Would be funny, if there is a difference :-/

regards
Michael

[Ken Burns Effect]

I use an iMate for kbd on my G5/Tiger!

It worked perfect until I reinstalled, then the above mentioned "<" and key just left from "1" stopped working.

My old Tiger system was a transplant from a PB TiBook G4/800 so there must be some easy fix for this problem if someone could compare files. I tried but am no terminal specialist or really know what to look for.

Someone else with a G4 who might give it a try?

[AHunter3]

<~

Works fine on my G4 PowerBook + "Saratoga" ADB classic Keyboard II.

[Ken Burns Effect]

I think it has to do with PB's an iBooks using ADB for internal kbd!

Bummer I sold my TiBook:-(

[Ken Burns Effect]

I checked one of my old backups!

The only files differing in System/Library/Extensions/ is

IOPCIFamily.kext
IONDRVSupport.kext
IOGraphicsFamily.kext

What does IONDRVSupport.kext do?

[Ken Burns Effect]

The files are of the same versions as my new system (different modification date only), it must be some other file(s) to replace. Sorry.

And all *ADB*.kext also seems to be same versions and size.

[ReflectiaX]

Sorry for bumping the old thread.

I have exactly the same problem with my Apple Adjustable Keyboard (Japanese layout) . I was looking for the solutions and found the person who developed the custom iMate driver for the joystick called "Thrustmaster". It does support even Intel Macs.

http://tmmacosx.sourceforge.net/

The source code is available, too. I don't have a decent knowledge of programming but if you do, you might make a driver for your keyboard.