Mac - USB Issues.

Nycto · #1 June 12th, 2007, 03:34 PM

Hello, new Mac user here.

I bought a used Mac G4 as a curiosity item a few months ago. Regrettably the CD's did not come with the computer.

It worked fine until one day, the mouse and keyboard no longer functioned properly. The mouse no longer works at all, and the keyboard doesn't seem to do much, but if I bang on it, I can bring up a help screen sometimes, but not much more than that. Oddly enough, both the keyboard and mouse do work fine on my other machines.

Anyway, since I can't get around in the system, due to both my mouse and keyboard not working, as well as my unfamiliarity with the OS, I'm rather stuck. I'm getting to the point where I'm tempted to blow away the OS, which is Mac 10.2, and replacing it with the version of System 7 hosted for download on Apple's website. Before I take any such measures, is there anyone with an idea as to how I can resolve my problem?

nixgeek · #2 June 12th, 2007, 05:21 PM

System 7 will not run on that Mac. You need OS 9 or OS X (preferably 10.4).

http://www.applerescue.com

You can find some great prices on Mac OS X there.

As for USB keyboard and mouse, you can use any USB keyboard and mouse. Doesn't have to be specifically from Apple. Just be aware that the Windows key and the Alt key will be the Command key and Option key, respectively. Also, Mac OS X supports mice with more than one button.

Where did you get this Mac by chance? Sounds like this seller gave you a clunker for a Mac.

Nycto · #3 June 12th, 2007, 09:40 PM

It's not so much that the Mac is a clunker...although as far as I can tell, this one is about six years old. It's a got a 500mhz PowerPC chip and 256 megs of SDRAM. I picked it up from my school's surplus store, where they sell dated equipment. And it worked fine for about a month, and then suddenly, none of the usb ports worked. Since this machine has no PS/2 support, I don't know how to get around in it, and worse yet, I don't know the operating system. I have a legitimate copy of OS too, but I can't access the information in the computer because of course the usb ports are not functioning.

I called Apple's customer support, and they basically told me to take it to a certified Apple repair shop, and there's only four of them in my state, and they're all more than an hour away. It would probably cost more in gas money and repairs than I even paid for the machine, and that's rather disappointing.

g/re/p · #4 June 13th, 2007, 02:18 AM

You may just need to "reset" the usb ports.

Power off the computer, unplug the mouse and keyboard, and unplug the power cord from the electric socket.

Wait about 20 - 30 minutes and plug it back in and power the computer on,
then plug the mouse and keyboard back in to see if they work.

Nycto · #5 June 14th, 2007, 07:17 AM

I have tried to reset the the usb ports as stated in the previous post, but the mouse and keyboard still do not work properly. As stated earlier some functions on the keyboard do work, the arrow keys for example, and the enter key allow me to change the names of desktop icons, and occasionally I can get a help screen to pop up. But the mouse is totally inoperable.

I've tried switching out mice as well, but with no luck. The cursor just stays frozen in the corner. If anybody else can help me, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

nixgeek · #6 June 14th, 2007, 07:38 AM

Have you tried resetting the PMU? Assuming this is a Power Macintosh G4, if you open up the side and look on the logic board, you'll see a button that is for resetting the Power Management Unit (PMU). The instructions on what to do are here:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=95037

Make sure you only push that button for about 1 second....just a quick push. It's all laid out in the directions.

Also, see about reseating the RAM modules or try and get some new RAM for it.

More information on your Power Macintosh G4 (if this is what you have) here:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...ac_g4_500.html
http://lowendmac.com/ppc/g4saw.shtml

FlashMac · #7 June 14th, 2007, 08:28 AM

I'd try the PMU also before anything else. Your Mac is never going to zip along with only 256 Ram, thats minimum.

Nycto · #8 June 14th, 2007, 07:18 PM

I reset the PMU and checked the battery on the motherboard. The battery is alive and well, and the reset did nothing to fix my problem. None of my usb mice worked, and I've tried three different ones each from different manufactures. My keyboard retains the limited functionality it had before I reset the PMU. And yes, this is a Power Macintosh G4,

It really bugs me that Apple cut PS/2 support for their machines...