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TICKET ARCHIVE -> wireless keyboard issue after OS update

jmillefolie - Feb 23, 2008 - 3:19 pm

I recently used Software Update to download and install OS X 10.4.11 (on a 1.5GHz G4 PPC PowerBook).

My Apple Wireless Keyboard slowly lost functionality. It worked for a while, then I noticed a key or two not working. Now it's just not working at all.

It could be that the 3-year-old device is just due for a replacement, but is it possible that it's related to the update?

If so, what should I do about it?

Thanks.

DeltaMac - Feb 23, 2008 - 6:13 pm

Did you already try replacing the batteries in the keyboard?
Have you tried downloading and installing the combo updater for 10.4.11?
http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...updateppc.html
This process will sometimes fix minor glitches that might appear after doing an update through software update.
Be sure to repair disk permissions after reinstalling that big update...
Let me know how it goes...
- Dale

jmillefolie - Feb 26, 2008 - 6:46 pm

Thank you for the very quick response! I'm very grateful for your time!

I did replace the batteries, and tried turning the kybd on and off several times. I also used the repair disk permissions after my update. I was intimidated about using the linked "combo updater" because the Apple site says you only need to use one of these methods.

Instead, I took the (probably extreme) step of buying Leopard, and I'll try to get that installed over the next week or so.

DeltaMac - Feb 26, 2008 - 10:16 pm

Sorry - I missed your meaning!
What methods does the Apple site mention?
I offered you the chance to try a simple fix, and so you chose to completely upgrade your system (when the problem might not even be software related, you know)
However, if you must upgrade to Leopard, be sure to choose the optional Archive & install. Don't make the mistake that I did by allowing the Leopard installer to do a default upgrade. I'm reasonably experienced, using OS X for the last 7 years, but Leopard caused my onlyuser account to revert to a standard account, so I couldn't install any software or other updates. It's simple to fix, but you can avoid that by choosing to do an Archive & Install option....
- Dale

jmillefolie - Feb 27, 2008 - 7:00 pm

Hi Dale --

Thank you again. Sorry I wasn't clear in my note. The Apple support page (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306297) says:

"To update to Mac OS X 10.4.11, use Software Update or the standalone installer. You only need to use one of these methods to update your computer."

Since I had moved to 10.4.11 via Software Update, I was hesitant to do the standalone installer as a follow-up.

I know you're probably correct that it's not even a software issue. I think I was eager to get Leopard and used my keyboard trouble as an excuse to buy it. Probably should have spend the money on a new keyboard!

Thanks also for the advice to use Archive & Install. In addition to that, I'm also planning to make a bootable backup before upgrading, so if it goes horribly wrong, I'll be able to recover.

-- Jim

DeltaMac - Feb 27, 2008 - 9:02 pm

You should know that I was not asking you to update your Mac OS. I was providing you with a link to the combo updater. It does not update an already updated system, but will reinstall the existing update, and all the intermediate files that are part of that combo updater. Doing that can often fix annoying little problems that might appear after updating your system.
good luck!
- Dale