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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: vultureparade on Fri, 29 May 2009, 13:33:07

Title: Looking for a Mac keyboard that works before startup -- HHKB?
Post by: vultureparade on Fri, 29 May 2009, 13:33:07

I ran a search, but I couldn't find a definite answer or list of boards.  I do apologize if this information is widely known, and I just couldn't find it.

I switch back and forth between windows and osx on my mac.  I need a keyboard that powers up before the operating system so I can hold down OPTION to choose an operating system.

I'm very interested in the Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro which is mac compatible, but I've used mac keyboards in the past that only functioned correctly once osx loaded.

Could someone with the HHKB test this out for me before I buy?

If the HHKB doesn't do what I need, are there other switch-equipped boards that function in the way I need for Mac?

Title: Looking for a Mac keyboard that works before startup -- HHKB?
Post by: chimera15 on Fri, 29 May 2009, 13:48:45

smk-88? They have refurbs super cheap on ebay.

Title: Looking for a Mac keyboard that works before startup -- HHKB?
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Fri, 29 May 2009, 15:24:17

Quote from: vultureparade;93271

I ran a search, but I couldn't find a definite answer or list of boards.  I do apologize if this information is widely known, and I just couldn't find it.

I switch back and forth between windows and osx on my mac.  I need a keyboard that powers up before the operating system so I can hold down OPTION to choose an operating system.

I'm very interested in the Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro which is mac compatible, but I've used mac keyboards in the past that only functioned correctly once osx loaded.

Could someone with the HHKB test this out for me before I buy?

If the HHKB doesn't do what I need, are there other switch-equipped boards that function in the way I need for Mac?

I'll give it a try tonight when I get home.  I don't have Windows installed on my Mac, but I do have a SuperDuper! clone on an external drive. Pressing on Option while booting usually gives me the choice of drive I want to use to boot.

Title: Looking for a Mac keyboard that works before startup -- HHKB?
Post by: bhtooefr on Sat, 30 May 2009, 13:46:06

Just checked the two USB keyboards I had handy on my iBook G4...

Unicomp EnduraPro 104: fail (once it's into OpenFirmware, the EP works fine, but that doesn't hep you.)
Ione Scorpius M10: pass

Title: Looking for a Mac keyboard that works before startup -- HHKB?
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sat, 30 May 2009, 13:55:08

Forgot to give this a try.

G80-3000 works. But, the Alt-Option key is the actual Alt key. The swapping with the Command key is done by OS X I guess.

Title: Looking for a Mac keyboard that works before startup -- HHKB?
Post by: iMav on Sat, 30 May 2009, 16:39:53

this works fine on my HHKB Pro 2.

Title: Looking for a Mac keyboard that works before startup -- HHKB?
Post by: DrunkenDonut on Sat, 30 May 2009, 19:43:15

If you don't mind a software solution, you can also try rEFIt (http://refit.sourceforge.net/). It's a bootloader and EFI toolkit. Once you install it, it'll present you with a boot menu (with default timer) so you can choose your OS or other utilities.

Title: Looking for a Mac keyboard that works before startup -- HHKB?
Post by: vultureparade on Sun, 31 May 2009, 09:29:08

Thanks a lot for the replies, everyone.

That rEFIt solution is great, DrunkenDonut. It really helps increase the range of keyboards I can choose from.

And it's good to know that the HHKB works.  Well, good because I know it works, but bad because now I'm one step closer to smashing the piggie bank.

Title: Looking for a Mac keyboard that works before startup -- HHKB?
Post by: o2dazone on Sun, 31 May 2009, 13:46:54

Quote from: vultureparade;93507

Well, good because I know it works, but bad because now I'm one step closer to smashing the piggie bank.

I haven't regretted it (got an HHKB a few days ago)