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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: phototristan on Fri, 11 March 2011, 12:56:13

Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: phototristan on Fri, 11 March 2011, 12:56:13: I noticed there is a Mac driver download link on Elitekeyboards website for the HHKB Pro 2.

What does this driver do exactly?

Would I still have to set dip switches to Mac mode?

I don't have the keyboard yet but should be receiving it soon.
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: phototristan on Fri, 11 March 2011, 15:07:44: Okay, I just received it!

I installed the Mac driver but it doesn't have an interface so I guess it's running.

I surmise all it does is add the OSX eject, mute, vol up/down function buttons.

The manual is fully in Japanese, btw.
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: theferenc on Fri, 11 March 2011, 17:14:31: You are correct. It just makes the Mac media keys work. I believe it does have to be in Mac mode though, by the dip switch settings.
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: phototristan on Fri, 11 March 2011, 17:20:54: Quote from: theferenc;310112
You are correct. It just makes the Mac media keys work. I believe it does have to be in Mac mode though, by the dip switch settings.

Thanks. Yep, sounds right. The driver installer is even in Japanese.

The buttons work though, volume, eject, etc.
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: leonz on Mon, 14 March 2011, 01:39:12: I never install the mac driver, and just flip the DIP switch to mac mode.
All the media keys are already working (volume, mute, eject).
Wondering what is the mac driver for..
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: phototristan on Mon, 14 March 2011, 10:27:02: Quote from: leonz;311421
I never install the mac driver, and just flip the DIP switch to mac mode.
All the media keys are already working (volume, mute, eject).
Wondering what is the mac driver for..

Interesting. I wonder if the driver is just for the HHKB Lite or something?
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: theferenc on Mon, 14 March 2011, 11:20:31: Or older versions of the OS. It's possible newer versions just have it integrated already.

A similar example is the griffin iMate. Needs drivers in anything prior to 10.4. 10.4+ it works in without one.
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: phototristan on Mon, 14 March 2011, 11:38:56: Quote from: theferenc;311551
Or older versions of the OS. It's possible newer versions just have it integrated already.

A similar example is the griffin iMate. Needs drivers in anything prior to 10.4. 10.4+ it works in without one.

Yeah, it could be that it's no longer needed as the link to it at the very bottom of the page on the manufactures website is no longer valid:

http://www.pfusystems.com/hhkeyboard/features/hairetu.html (http://www.pfusystems.com/hhkeyboard/features/hairetu.html)

I wonder if I should uninstall it? Do you think it would cause any system overhead if installed and not needed?
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: theferenc on Mon, 14 March 2011, 12:12:56: Nah, unnecessary drivers don't even get loaded. At worst, it takes up space on your hard drive.

The only possible issue is if the OS loads it by mistake, and it interferes with the default driver. But if you haven't noticed any weirdness yet, that isn't an issue.
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: phototristan on Mon, 14 March 2011, 12:26:35: Cool, that was sorta what I thought.
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: phototristan on Mon, 14 March 2011, 12:58:11: BTW, I can really vouch for the Amazon seller I link to above (User-Side). I spoke with him on the phone before I placed my order and asked him a few questions and he was quite helpful.

He shipped my HHKB very quickly and communication was excellent (provided tracking number right away, shipped out right away, etc). He is from Japan but based in California. I bought from him since I didn't have to pay sales tax (win!) and I had some Amazon credit. Elite would have charged me sales tax in CA.

I sent him an email with well wishes about the tsunami this morning and he replied thanking me and said his family are all okay but he feels bad for Japan.

I concur.
Title: HHKB Mac Driver, what does it do?
Post by: nvarsj on Mon, 14 March 2011, 20:35:47: My HHKB2 did not work on my macbook pro at all until I installed the drivers. Maybe I was doing something wrong.