Problem with Aluminium Wirless Keyboard and iMac

faceman

Have had a problem develop with my wireless keyboard (the latest model) and my iMac in recent days. Before I go on i must point out that, it hasnt been dropped, misused, had liquid poured on it etc. Ive also had no luck from the Apple support site and google searches arent giving me much joy. All software/firmware updates on the iMac are the latest.

I turned on the iMac the other day, and the keyboard wouldnt pair. I changed the batteries thinking that was the problem but still the same issue. I connected a usb keyboard to log in and then tried to manuall connect the wireless keyboard via the bluetooth tool.

The iMac can see the keyboard but when it tries to pair, it is unable and then says "no keyboard found".

The keyboard itself is acting like its in paired mode, i.e. the green light comes on briefly when i turn it on but its not going into "discoverable mode" (i.e. rapid blinking mode) as if it isnt paired with anything. Ive deleted the pairing in the bluetooth tool and re-tried it to no avail.

there is feck all useful advice on line. Ive been trying to find away to "reset" the keyboard but havent had any joy.

Anyone come across this before and have any advice?

Sad Professor

Taking the batteries out for over 30 seconds should reset the keyboard.

Also, try disconnecting all USB devices and restarting with just the two wireless (mouse and keyboard) devices on.

I assume you are still within warranty, yeah?

faceman

Sad Professor wrote: »

Taking the batteries out for over 30 seconds should reset the keyboard.

Also, try disconnecting all USB devices and restarting with just the two wireless (mouse and keyboard) devices on.

I assume you are still within warranty, yeah?

Thanks will try that. There are only 2 devices connected, mouse and keyboard.

Not within warranty unfortunately.

spannerotoole

The reason it's having problems is because it's made from aluminium,
It weakens the radio waves leaving the keyboard.

Some newer macbooks (both standard and pro)had this problem too.

Just ditch it and go for a nice cheap logitech combination (it will still work):)

Sad Professor

spannerotoole wrote: »

The reason it's having problems is because it's made from aluminium,
It weakens the radio waves leaving the keyboard.

So why was it working fine previously? Was it not made out of aluminum then as well?

Stainless_Steel

spannerotoole wrote: »

The reason it's having problems is because it's made from aluminium,
It weakens the radio waves leaving the keyboard.

Some newer macbooks (both standard and pro)had this problem too.

Just ditch it and go for a nice cheap logitech combination (it will still work):)

Not true. My keyboard works perfect from even 15 feet away from iMac.

spannerotoole

Stainless_Steel wrote: »

Not true. My keyboard works perfect from even 15 feet away from iMac.

It doesn't always affect every user, but I do notice in calls that I get regarding wireless connectivity in macs, the one recurring theme is aluminium.

Do you know why microwaves have an aluminium layer?

That said, poor quality (Heavy Duty or Super Heavy Duty) Batteries could be the issue, try making the switch to Alkaline, or even replacing the current batteries with alkaline ones.

Stainless_Steel

spannerotoole wrote: »

It doesn't always affect every user, but I do notice in calls that I get regarding wireless connectivity in macs, the one recurring theme is aluminium.

Do you know why microwaves have an aluminium layer?

That said, poor quality (Heavy Duty or Super Heavy Duty) Batteries could be the issue, try making the switch to Alkaline, or even replacing the current batteries with alkaline ones.

You mean microwavable food's packaging no? To absorb radiation and conduct infrared heat. Why you ask?

Like the scientifc angle on your response then you say it only happens for some users. You suspect aluminiums absorbtion of Bluetooth signals depends on the user?

Greentree_uk

I had this exact same issue. then I realised the keyboard was paired to another machine in the house! DOH!

spannerotoole

Stainless_Steel wrote: »

You mean microwavable food's packaging no? To absorb radiation and conduct infrared heat. Why you ask?

Like the scientifc angle on your response then you say it only happens for some users. You suspect aluminiums absorbtion of Bluetooth signals depends on the user?

Aluminium degrades wireless signals like radio waves, if the batteries are weak, then it would be even more noticeable. Also it would depend on which bluetooth chipset was used in the machine and the keyboard.

Are these both reference designs?

faceman

Sad Professor wrote: »

Taking the batteries out for over 30 seconds should reset the keyboard.

Left the batteries out overnight, but it didnt work.

spannerotoole

faceman wrote: »

Left the batteries out overnight, but it didnt work.

Have you considered changing the batteries?

spannerotoole

Stainless_Steel wrote: »

You mean microwavable food's packaging no? To absorb radiation and conduct infrared heat. Why you ask?

Like the scientifc angle on your response then you say it only happens for some users. You suspect aluminiums absorbtion of Bluetooth signals depends on the user?

Try putting something aluminium into a microwave and see what happens

No, microwaves have aluminium to prevent radiation from leaking out.
When you make a product out of aluminium, it causes no radiation to get in or out. It's why computers in general aren't made of aluminium.

Stainless_Steel

spannerotoole wrote: »

Try putting something aluminium into a microwave and see what happens

No, microwaves have aluminium to prevent radiation from leaking out.
When you make a product out of aluminium, it causes no radiation to get in or out. It's why computers in general aren't made of aluminium.

Some food packages contain a thin layer of aluminium to conduct infrared
heat for 'browning' food. Look it up.

It doesn't stop radiation totally...especially the thin aluminium of the apple keyboard. By your reasoning the keyboard wouldn't work at all. Nor would MacBooks.

I agree getting new decent batteries is the OPs best bet.

faceman

spannerotoole wrote: »

Have you considered changing the batteries?

Stainless_Steel wrote: »

I agree getting new decent batteries is the OPs best bet.

see my original post, I already tried that! its not the batteries.

Sad Professor

Have you tried it on another Mac? Just to rule out a problem on your iMac's side.

faceman

Sad Professor wrote: »

Have you tried it on another Mac? Just to rule out a problem on your iMac's side.

Dont have easy access to another mac unfortunately.

Type 17

spannerotoole wrote: »

The reason it's having problems is because it's made from aluminium,
It weakens the radio waves leaving the keyboard.

That's why the keyboard has a grey plastic section in the cylinder part - that's where the bluetooth antenna is positioned.

There is no problem with signal strength or range with this keyboard, otherwise the web would be full of stories about it.

The OP has an issue with his particular keyboard, unfortunately.