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    Need help with an older Powerbook

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by MattB85, Aug 20, 2009.

  1. MattB85

    MattB85 Notebook Evangelist

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    I just acquired a Kanga Powerbook running OS 9.1. It's in great shape except that the keyboard is experiencing a bizarre malfunction. Using Key Caps, I have determined that it is getting input from the Apple, control, option, and shift keys but the other keys are not responding. System Profiler also recognizes the keyboard as a Powerbook extended keyboard. It's as if the internal keyboard was somehow disabled. How can I reactivate it?
     
    MattB85, Aug 20, 2009
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  2. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    I would first try a clean re-install and update it.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Aug 21, 2009
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  3. MattB85

    MattB85 Notebook Evangelist

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    As soon as I get my hands on an OS9 CD I'm going to try that. One thing I like about these older Macs is that you can do that without having to reinstall programs. I checked all the connections on the keyboard and they are good. Strangely, when the unit resumes from suspend the keyboard works fine for about 10 seconds and then freezes, which in my mind points to software.

    Once I get this thing working, it's getting OSX put on it. On a side note, this thing also has the best notebook speakers I've ever heard, bar none. Not sure what Apple was thinking putting FOUR speakers on this thing.
     
    MattB85, Aug 22, 2009
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  4. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    Whatever it was (the Kanga :D ?) I would not mind if they keep the design.

    Good lucks and let us know.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Aug 23, 2009
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  5. macfix

    macfix Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm pretty certain that powerbook can run any flavor of os 8, also.
    PM me if you need an 8 cd.
     
    macfix, Aug 30, 2009
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