Macally iKey Doesn't Recognize Apple Puck Mouse (iMac G3)
I have the Macally iKey (original) keyboard connected to my iMac G3 500Mhz. When I connect my apple USB puck mouse to any of the iKey's 2 USB ports, it is unrecognized. When I connect to mouse directly to the iMac, it's fine. My iPod and thumb-drive work perfectly when connected to the iKey's USB ports. I've tried reinstalling OS9/X, restarting, switching the USB port the keyboard is plugged into, etc. Nothing works. Is there a driver or updated firmware to correct this issue? Is there anything I can do to fix this issue? I've heard it's pretty common, but unplugging and plugging the mouse back in usually works for others with this problem... Not me.
Computers & Internet - Macally - iKey Keyboard
Answers & Comments
It could be a USB power related issue; apparently the Macally iKey doesn't properly negotiate USB current. The problem is known in the Windows world as Q271466.
You may try connecting an externally powered USB hub to the keyboard, and connecting the mouse to the hub so that the hub provides current and the keyboard only handles signaling. Or try connecting the keyboard through the USB hub (iMac --> hub --> keyboard --> mouse ) and see whether "blind" USB powering does the trick.
Open the apple menu top left, and select "about this mac", on the resulting small window select "more information" and you get to the system profiler, select USB and see if the keyboard is there as a hub, then see if the mouse is shown as connected, if so then can you try another mouse (or it is a current limitation as the mouse might draw more than the ipod or flash drive)
I have not used the iKey but I have pluged in the cheap PC USb keyboards and they work without drivers, I would guess the iKey is more sophisticated than the basic keyboards, What do the system preferences keyboard and mouse section say under OSX ? could the iKey be dying? their tech support says it needs no softwear.