Keyboard not working but does in Linux?

[TechDestroyer]

2015 MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) I was gifted this MacBook Pro that didn't have a power supply. I bought a power supply but the keyboard wouldn't let me get into the Recovery Options. I looked it up and it seemed to be common for a component on the board to go bad. I then thought to boot linux with a windows external keyboard, and it worked! The keyboard on the laptop worked too while in Linux! What does this tell me, the OS lost a driver or something? Do you guys think once I reinstall that the keyboard will work again?

I sent the power supply back so had to re-order it, won't be here till Sunday.

Also, is there an option to reinstall wiping the previous owners account, or do I have to wipe the drive and Clean Install? And if I do a
Looks like I need to Wipe it then choose Reinstall HERE?
Thanks, TD

 

[Fishrrman]

Hmmm....
You said it wouldn't let you get into the recovery options.
What did you mean by that?
Did it put up a firmware password request?
Or did it do something else?

What happens if you do this:
a. connect windows keyboard
b. hold down "command-OPTION-R" (keep holding these continuously, don't let go)
c. press the power on button.

I realize the keys on a windows keyboard aren't the same as Mac.
For "command", I think you need the "windows" key
For "option", I think you need the "alt" key
So would that be "windows-alt-R" ???

What happens?

 

[TechDestroyer]

Recovery=Mac Utilities
The correct term is "Mac Utilities" right?

Everything works with the Windows keyboard, the question is, does that mean it was an OS issue or is there some other weird Mac thing going on here?

 

[Fishrrman]

OK, so you can boot to internet recovery with the PC keyboard?
That's a good start.

Here's what I'd do next.
Get booted to the internet utilities, just as you did before.

Open disk utility.
VERY IMPORTANT: go to the "view" menu and choose "show ALL devices"
(you can't see the internal drive unless you do this).

Look at the list on the left
For the MBP, locate the PHYSICAL SSD drive inside (should be at the top of the list).

Click on it and click "erase".
Erase to APFS, GUID partition format.
Quit disk utility.

Open the OS installer.
Start clicking through.
The Mac will reboot one or more times, and the screen will go dark for a minute or more with no other indication of activity. Be Patient.

When the install is done, you should see the initial setup screen "choose your language".

If you get that far, I'd try disconnecting the external keyboard, and see if the Mac's internal keyboard is working again. Does it work?

 

[TechDestroyer]

I didn't ask How to Wipe it, I asked if you knew of any other reason they keyboard would stop working other than the OS having something wrong with it. Of course I can wipe it and find out.

I don't get my power supply till late Sunday, repeat, repeat

Thanks

 

[TechDestroyer]

If I do wipe it, will Catalina install from the servers?

Or will I be able to install it 100% from a Recovery Partition?

Or will I need to create an installer?

 

[Fishrrman]

"If I do wipe it, will Catalina install from the servers?"

A 2015 MacBook Pro?
I believe that with Command-OPTION-R, you will get Monterey.
With Command-SHIFT-OPTION-R, you will get El Capitan? (not sure)

"Or will I be able to install it 100% from a Recovery Partition?"

I don't think so.
I WOULD NOT attempt to use "the recovery partition" (Command-R) at all. I would not predict "success" going this way. (I could be wrong)

"Or will I need to create an installer?"

For Catalina, this is what I'd suggest.
You'll need a USB flash drive 16gb or larger.

My recommendation is that you download the following:
Install Disk Creator:

Make a Bootable USB macOS Installer Download the update for Big Sur compatibility -

What’s needed for a clean install on a Mac A backup of the disk before it’s erased. Two options are to use Duplicate (a free utility which can copy and paste an entire bootable volume), or Mac Backup Guru (a paid, fully featured backup utility with unique incremental backups capability) for...

macdaddy.io

(free app)

This makes it EASY to create a bootable flash drive with a few clicks of the mouse.

IF you're having trouble getting a copy of Catalina, I suggest you use dosdude1's "Catalina Patcher" app to grab it.

macOS Catalina Patcher

You DO NOT have to "patch" anything.
You just use his app to download Catalina, and then quit it and move on to the Install Disk Creator app.

 

[TechDestroyer]

"If I do wipe it, will Catalina install from the servers?"

A 2015 MacBook Pro?
I believe that with Command-OPTION-R, you will get Monterey.
With Command-SHIFT-OPTION-R, you will get El Capitan? (not sure)

First of all, thanks for the input. I'm struggling with my memory and learning this new way of computing over Windows and Linux. I don't think it matters which command you use they all lead you to the same OS Recovery/Reinstall. This one was Mojave, and the servers are down so you I'll need an installer.

"Or will I be able to install it 100% from a Recovery Partition?"

I don't think so.
I WOULD NOT attempt to use "the recovery partition" (Command-R) at all. I would not predict "success" going this way. (I could be wrong)

Honestly I wasn't even sure if there was a Recovery Partition. Reviewing my pics there does not seem to be a recovery partition like in Windows!

"Or will I need to create an installer?"

For Catalina, this is what I'd suggest.
You'll need a USB flash drive 16gb or larger.

My recommendation is that you download the following:
Install Disk Creator:

Make a Bootable USB macOS Installer Download the update for Big Sur compatibility -

What’s needed for a clean install on a Mac A backup of the disk before it’s erased. Two options are to use Duplicate (a free utility which can copy and paste an entire bootable volume), or Mac Backup Guru (a paid, fully featured backup utility with unique incremental backups capability) for...

macdaddy.io

(free app)

This makes it EASY to create a bootable flash drive with a few clicks of the mouse.

IF you're having trouble getting a copy of Catalina, I suggest you use dosdude1's "Catalina Patcher" app to grab it.

macOS Catalina Patcher

You DO NOT have to "patch" anything.
You just use his app to download Catalina, and then quit it and move on to the Install Disk Creator app.

I won't be going to Catalina now that I think about it and instead go to a supported OS in MacOS Monterey. We'll see, all I really need is a modern supported browser and FaceTime to work properly, and perhaps Skype.

 

[TechDestroyer]

I have Monterey installed now and the Keyboard and Trackpad sill don't work. It doesn't make sense that it is the connector because it works fine in Linux, what do you guys think?