MP 1,1-5,1 Cheap USB keyboard that works on boot

[Jegriva]

Hi everyone,
I've broken my original Apple USB keyboard a couple of years ago. After a good cry, I took the chance to migrate to the wonderful world of mechanical keyboard, and I bought a Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro M with white leds (https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/peripheral/keyboards/masterkeys-pro-m-white/).
Apart from the hybrid numlok not working in Mac OS, I've been loving using it so far.

Just one thing.

For the last years I've been using a terminal command to switch to the Recovery Mode. My Mac doesn't register any input from the keyboard during boot, so no boot from DVD, no recovery mode, etc...

Do you have experience with third party keyboards? Can you suggest me a cheap USB keyboards that works on Mac Pro 5.1 during the boot?

Thank you in advance.

 

[chabig]

Any USB keyboard should work during boot. I went to Amazon, searched for USB keyboards, sorted by price, and this is what was at the top. It look perfect for you.

Bolayu Mini Portable Flexible Silicone USB PC Keyboard Foldable for Laptop Notebook

Bolayu Mini Portable Flexible Silicone USB PC Keyboard Foldable for Laptop Notebook

www.amazon.com

 

[ignatius345]

For the last years I've been using a terminal command to switch to the Recovery Mode. My Mac doesn't register any input from the keyboard during boot, so no boot from DVD, no recovery mode, etc...

Do you have experience with third party keyboards? Can you suggest me a cheap USB keyboards that works on Mac Pro 5.1 during the boot?

Weird. I use a mechanical keyboard as well, connected via USB, and it's definitely recognized on boot. I've gone through a number of mechanical keyboards over the years in my search for the right one for me (HHKB) and every one of them was recognized natively on the Mac. Also, are you connecting it via a hub by any chance? Or, does the Cooler Master rely on some kind of installed driver to function?

Before spending even more money on keyboards and adding clutter to your desk, I'd suggest taking a trip over to Geekhack or r/MechanicalKeyboards/ and see if anyone has anything to say over there.

 

[chabig]

For the last years I've been using a terminal command to switch to the Recovery Mode. My Mac doesn't register any input from the keyboard during boot, so no boot from DVD, no recovery mode, etc...

By the way, what Mac are we talking about? What OS? What keys are you holding down at boot?

 

[Macschrauber]

I remember someone told that the Keyboard must be USB 1 for the Mac Firmware to accept the preboot keys.

here's the Alu Apple Keyboard:

Spoiler: USB System report

Apple Keyboard:

  Product ID:    0x0221
  Vendor ID:    0x05ac (Apple Inc.)
  Version:    0.69
  Speed:    Up to 1.5Mb/sec
  Manufacturer:    Apple, Inc
  Location ID:    0xfd432000 / 5
  Current Available (mA):    500
  Current Required (mA):    20
  Extra Operating Current (mA):    0

 

[Jegriva]

By the way, what Mac are we talking about? What OS? What keys are you holding down at boot?

All the details are in my signature.

 

[Jegriva]

Weird. I use a mechanical keyboard as well, connected via USB, and it's definitely recognized on boot. I've gone through a number of mechanical keyboards over the years in my search for the right one for me (HHKB) and every one of them was recognized natively on the Mac. Also, are you connecting it via a hub by any chance? Or, does the Cooler Master rely on some kind of installed driver to function?

Before spending even more money on keyboards and adding clutter to your desk, I'd suggest taking a trip over to Geekhack or r/MechanicalKeyboards/ and see if anyone has anything to say over there.

I am connecting via USB from the back of the machine, on the USB port on the right.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

I am connecting via USB from the back of the machine, on the USB port on the right.

I got the same issues. I just buy an old USB keyboard (branded HP) from a local junk shop (2$) and it works. I only use this keyboard when I need to control the booting.
The problem with 3rd party mechanical keyboards is they are slow to be recognized, therefore while they work well in the desktop, they can't impact the booting process.
Solution can be 2.
1. Use a cheap USB keyboard (preferable Dell or HP) for this specific task.
2. Delay the booting time by a boot manager like Refit, Refind etc. Modifying NVRAM parameter (boot flag) maybe difficult if you don't know the exact command line. The Mac needs time to load drivers for the new keyboards. Old keyboards are simple and got driver preloaded.

Read more about similar issues in this thread. (my Googling result)

Key presses at startup don't work

I have a three month old 24" alu iMac running OS X 10.5.1 which has developed a bunch of niggley problems, and this is one of them. I hope someone can help. I have Windows XP installed in Boot Camp, and use Parallels as well. I used to be able to choose whether to boot into OSX or XP by...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[KeesMacPro]

IMO the most logical step would be to get a (used) original Apple USB keyboard.