CFran Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 I've been quite curious to know how other people deal with using a PC keyboard in Mac OS X. Personally, I used Ukulele to create my custom keyboard layout, there's only a few problems with it : -Can't modify the modifier keys (mainly swap Start and Alt so they're in the correct place) -Mac OS X won't remember the selection of my keylayout and everytime I reboot will choose the default layout (if someone knows how to deal with that I'd like to know) -I messed with a few dead keys, now they ain't dead no more... So, how do you guys dealt with those issues? Mainly swapping the Start and Alt keys? Also, is there anywhere you can find something to use a PC keyboard properly on a Mac? It must have been since the replacement of ADB keyboards by USB keyboards in 97-98 that Mac users may have used PC keyboards, there must be an easy solution for that by now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFran Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 wait nevermind, i found how to swap the modifiers. i'd still be interested to know how you people deal with the rest of the layout differences Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XanthraX Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 Hey, System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFran Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 Hey, System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard Yeah, the only problem with that is that everytime I reboot, it's being reset, as well as the choice of the keyboard layout. I have no idea why! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabr Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 Go here: http://www.gyford.com/phil/writing/2005/11...g_a_british.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orthocross Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Yeah, the only problem with that is that everytime I reboot, it's being reset, as well as the choice of the keyboard layout. I have no idea why! The solution I've used for my Microsoft Desktop Elite Wirelesss keyboard/mouse on my PPC PowerMac G5, w/OS X 10.4.6 was simple: Install the Mac driver provided with your keyboard/mouse. And make sure you use the Microsoft preference panes in System Preferences to set keyboard preferences. I also advise anyone to use the Microsoft Desktop for Mac v.6.0 software, rather than an earlier version of the software. Now, I know this works for any Microsoft keyboard, but I don't know if installing the Mac driver from your Logitec, etc. keyboard install CD will work, since I have not tried. NOTE: If you do have a Desktop Elite keyboard/mouse, make sure you use only the USB connector on the base-station (specifically, only the BLACK USB connector). The green PS/2 connector does not need to be connected at all. I found that using an adaptor to plug both base station connectors causes the keyboard to not function at all, while the mouse will continue to work if either (or both) connector(s) on the basestation is connected to your Mac. It is totally unrecognized if you plug the green USB connector from the base station into a PS/ to USB adaptor, then into the Apple display or another USB connector on the back or front of the Mac. If your mouse is NOT a wireless mouse, then simply plug the base station into the Mac, and connect your wired mouse into a separate USB connector somewhere on your Mac or Apple display. I don't know if these drivers will work on an Intel Mac, since I do not have an Intel Mac. Donald McDaniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedragon1971 Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 I don't know if these drivers will work on an Intel Mac, since I do not have an Intel Mac. Donald McDaniel Sorry, until Microsoft and Logitech (and others) get off their butts and release Intel builds of their drivers, people are stuck with what's built into the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiaboliK Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 logitech has unibin drivers. just released not too long ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFran Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 The solution ... was simple: Install the Mac driver provided with your keyboard/mouse hehe, yeah, if only it could be that simple. there's no mac driver for my logitech keyboard/mouse, i checked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragnarök Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 And what's this? http://forum.osx86project.org/index.php?showtopic=14799 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flibblesan Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 On my Dell keyboard I physically swapped the Alt + Start keys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclonefr Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 okay guys marvellous i found the HUGE TRICK!! 1) move all ur original keyboard's layout (roman etc) from System/Library/Layout to ur home/users/layout directory 2) copy ur own keyboard.layout in my case : sony.vaio.layout to both directory ie System/Library/Layout + home/users/layout 3) then change as u wish the CTRL / ALT touch into the control panels 4) reboot changes are still saved enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFran Posted April 28, 2006 Author Share Posted April 28, 2006 okay guys marvellous i found the HUGE TRICK!!1) move all ur original keyboard's layout (roman etc) from System/Library/Layout to ur home/users/layout directory 2) copy ur own keyboard.layout in my case : sony.vaio.layout to both directory ie System/Library/Layout + home/users/layout 3) then change as u wish the CTRL / ALT touch into the control panels 4) reboot changes are still saved enjoy sounds cool, but where you got your own file from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooly Posted April 29, 2006 Share Posted April 29, 2006 Leave the keyboard layout as it is. Now, Ctrl (W) is mac Control key. Windows Start Key is now Opt Key, Alt key is now Command key. But, END is not working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crysiss Posted April 30, 2006 Share Posted April 30, 2006 Yes, I've got the same problem, and it is not just the END, the HOME is ot of order too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardinal Posted May 31, 2006 Share Posted May 31, 2006 END and HOME should work fine on PC keyboards. It is just that they don't do what you would expect, if you are coming from Windows. This has some interesting information about customizing keyboard layout in cocoa applications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
node64 Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 or you could just buy an apple keyboard, it was the best purchase i made in a long time http://forum.osx86project.org/index.php?showtopic=19082 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashgotti Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 i just bought a mac usb keyboard at bestbuy, open box, the left control button doesnt work, other than that i love it, so comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
node64 Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 ashgotti, u shud prob beable to send it back? how is bestbuys technical support? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashgotti Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 well it was open box, meaning used. and i dont want to return it because it was the last open box. i dont want to pay like $56 for a keyboard when i have a fine one at home. i got this as a treat and cuz it was cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacApprentice Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I bought one and never looked back. Amazing keyboard btw... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossarian Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 If you want to go to the beginning or the end of the line wihout using home or end, try command-arrow left and command-arrow right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev7en Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 Hi, I read all the posts above but sincerely I have not understand the right way to go. So I've a Toshiba M70-160 with an Italian standard keyboard layout. How should I do to enable the main special chars? E.g. the @ doesn't work at moment... Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thangsang Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I was able to swap using SYSTEM PREFERENCES without any problem. But after I changed my mouse to a USB Microsoft 2 button scroll mouse, my keyboard won't work. Anyone with a suggestion or solution will be highly appreciated. Lotta Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Dog Posted August 5, 2006 Share Posted August 5, 2006 i set the command/alt/option/control as it should be on apple keyboard but i made a custom layout for french PC keyboard to get all caracters on the good keys the layout i made was using ukelele which is pretty simple ^^ it allow easy and fast custon of keyboard, you can even add key combination to enter some usefull stuff, especially for programming (adding useful function etc ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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