Automatically Booting Xp - Wireless Keyboard

[mdburke]

I've installed xp via bootcamp on my new Imac and it automatically boots into windows xp. I wasn't able to change the startup disk via control panel. Also, I am unable to use the bootkeys (i.e. hold option to at bootup) since I have a wireless keyboard and mouse.

Now I'm in even more trouble as I've installed the bootcamp software inside windows from the osx cd and now my mouse and keyboard won't work once booted into xp.

I've tried booting with the osx cd inserted but to no avail.

Any help?

 

[mdburke]

I was able to get a wired keyboard and solve my problem.

However I am still curious to know if there is a way with my wireless setup...

 

[richard.mac]

after youve installed the Boot Camp drivers in Windows you can change the startup disk in Control Panel.

i use this script to automatically boot me into Windows, no need to use the keyboard. once your Mac OS X partition is set as the default startup disk all you need to do is restart to boot back into OS X again.

 

[FlyParrotHead]

What kind of a wireless keyboard are you using?

 

[mdburke]

Thanks for the above script; as soon as I get the mouse/keyboard problem solved it should prove convenient.

As for which wireless keyboard I am using, I am using the newer Apple one. Also, I am using a wireless mighty mouse.

Still haven't a clue how to get them working in Windows without having a wired set first.

 

[FlyParrotHead]

Just about every mouse keyboard set uses the native HID drivers in windows to work. If you have the receiver plugged directly into the computer, it should bond right up. You might want to try a different USB port for the receiver.

Also, try going into your device manager with the receiver unplugged, plug the receiver in, and see if it enumerates (you will see some stuff change). If that still doesn't work, you might have a defective product.

 

[mdburke]

There actually is no receiver. They are bluetooth and use the internal bluetooth on the iMac.

 

[FlyParrotHead]

Your blue tooth stack on windows might not be installed correctly then. I would reinstall the blue tooth stack (it should either be widdcom or a microsoft stack).

 

[mdburke]

No idea what the above post means, haha.

Anyways, I installed VMWare Fusion and everything works fine - including the bluetooth mouse and keyboard. But today when I turned on the computer, it automatically booted into XP again. I'm not sure if VMWare Fusion set XP as the default start up disk or what, but I am stuck again.

It's a hassle to go borrow a wired keyboard everytime something like this happens. Is there no other solution?

 

[Supaklaw]

#1 You have to pair your wireless keyboard and mouse. Go into Bluetooth control panel in windows and go through process of pairing them. There is also a Bluetooth update which would fix this, once you are in windows, go to Apple Software Update and it should install drivers to avoid this. But you need a wired keyboard to begin, afterwards it should recognize everything.

#2 The wireless keyboard cannot be used to boot in and out of Windows with option key. You need a wired keyboard to boot out of windows, by holding down the command key, and then selecting the mac partition. Once there, you can select mac or windows as your boot drive from Startup Disk control panel. If you're using 32-bit XP, the bootcamp control panel will let you select mac partition. If like me you use 64-bit XP, the control panel won't work, and your only way of getting to Mac side is comm key booting off a wired keyboard.

Bottom line is you need to keep a wired keyboard around. I know it's annoying, I'm in same boat with Apple wireless and Mighty Mouse wireless. Bear in mind also, those eat batteries, so better to have a wired set around in the cases where it dies and you'll need access. Also, the mighty mouse right button clicking sucks ass so, I use a wired mouse on occasion for some games because it's a ***** pain in the ass to use the MM.

 

[Consultant]

Apple Wireless Keyboard actually works at the firmware level once it's paired with OSX, and works even with Windows install cd without need for drivers.

Holding option key using the Apple Bluetooth keyboard while booting will get me the proper boot screen.

You need to update the firmware within OSX (you might need 10.5).

 

[Supaklaw]

It is supported at firmware level, and only works booting within OS X. In other words, it won't recognize it if the windows partition is selected... so you can't boot out of boot camp by the keyboard. Or maybe my batteries are always weak and my keyboard sucks but it never works within Windows... works fine if I'm rebooting just my mac from the mac side.

I've updated the firmware btw.