HHKB Pro 2 "unknown usb device" help

[daviswalkers]

I recently started a new job at a call center and I constantly find myself doing capslock a/c/v instead of ctrl a/c/v due to it being a different layout.  So I decided I would transport my keyboard to and from work every day however after plugging it in it didn't recognize the device and I cannot get it to work.

I've unplugged all keyboards, restarted then plugged mine back in and still nothing.  Tried googling for some advice and the only thing I could find was one post on here telling me to do things that I can't due to my work places security.

I have a buddy in IT and asked if there was anything restricting certain types of external hardware and he assured me that there is no reason it shouldn't work other than an issue with the product.

Any help would be appreciated

-Davis

[Grendel]

Windows based network ? There could be a policy in place that disallows users to install devices. Ask your buddy to log in as admin on your work machine, then plug the board in.

[rowdy]

Probably security - FWIW I took my HHKB into work (Windows 7) and the keyboard Just Worked (after Windows installed whatever drivers it thought it needed).

One keyboard I tried Windows installed drivers and then insisted on rebooting )

[Rainbow_]

Have you tried turning it off and back on again?

[swathe]

Did windows install a driver for it the first time you plugged it in?

Removing that may allow it to be re-installed but I've not played with a HHKB yet to know for certain.

I guess the easiest first step is to isolation test by plugging it into another machine and see if it still works

[heedpantsnow]

I agree with others. I think the security settings disallow installing new drivers and the controller on the HHKB is one that the computer has not seen before.

Ask IT guy to come log in as Admin and install for you.

Before you do this you may want to try going into Device Manager (if policy allows), select the unknown USB hub/device, and click the top button for uninstall or remove (depending on Win version). Restart, and try plugging in as admin.

Good luck.

[swathe]

I'm a sysadmin and we use group policy to lock things down a fair bit but a basic keyboard shouldn't have any troubles unless it requires actual driver software. Windows can fumble driver installs at times though.

[rowdy]

I'm a sysadmin and we use group policy to lock things down a fair bit but a basic keyboard shouldn't have any troubles unless it requires actual driver software. Windows can fumble driver installs at times though.

Pretty much every time I have plugged a keyboard into a Windows box, it has found new hardware and installed drivers.  Whether it really, truly installs new drivers, or just links in existing drivers, I have no idea.  This one time it did insist on rebooting - I think that was when I plugged my KeyCool in.

My Mac at home goes through a routine each time a new keyboard is connected of getting me to press the first key to the right of left Shift, and the first key to the left of right Shift, and guesses the layout from that.

[swathe]

Yeah generally all keyboards will work using a generic driver and then 3rd party drivers are used for things like macro keys etc but even then lots of tje gaming boards have their drivers packaged for distribution with Windows Update.

First thing I'd do in OPs case is try it on another machine that will at least isolate which part of the equation is at fault

[daviswalkers]

Thanks for all the idea's, I'll have my friend come down on monday to see if that works via admin log-in. I do believe the first time I plugged it in it installed at least some driver because I vaguely remember seeing "device installed correctly" so I will probably try removing and reconnecting the HHKB prior to pestering him.

To those that asked it is Win7.

[rowdy]

Have you tried the HHKB at home?  Does it work there (to eliminate the dead keyboard possibility).

[daviswalkers]

Yes sir, I've used it at home for the past 5-6 months. I plan on bringing it back and forth every day.  It's just a pain typing on the default layout, on top of the obviously better feels.

[rowdy]

Yes sir, I've used it at home for the past 5-6 months. I plan on bringing it back and forth every day.  It's just a pain typing on the default layout, on top of the obviously better feels.

That's good to hear!

Probably a driver issue then.

[swathe]

Ahh that's awesome at least your HHKB is still healthy

I'm sure once your admin friend removes it from the device manager and you plug it in again you will be good to go

[rowdy]

I got this today when I plugged my Ducky back in to my Windows 7 box at work:





Yay Microsoft!