Using a PC USB Keyboard with OS X? Mapping the Cmd and Option Keys?

[Paul F.]

Someone just donated a rather nice Microsoft ergonomic keyboard (a model I was considering purchasing for myself anyway)... new in box.

Only one little problem (other than my getting used to it).

The "Start" and "Alt" keys don't function as Option and Command...

Any way to get 'em to do that? Or must I waste a nice keyboard?

Any keyboard equivalent to USB Overdrive out there?

[MGS_forgot_password]

If you have Tiger, the Keyboard & Mouse control panel will let you remap those keys.

I think Microsoft also offers OSX drivers for it's keyboards.

[Seacrest]

It should "just work," non?

[Paul F.]

It SHOULD.. but it's not...


I'll check with Microsoft (I feel dirty just typing that....).
The included driver disk only comes with PeeCee drivers.

[Ken Sp.]

As MSG said
Sys pref>Keyboards and Mouse>Keyboard Tab>Modifier keys.

The MS keyboard stuff loads some stuff into your sys prefs--I like my MS keyboard without the drivers.

[Zoidberg]

I've been using a Microsoft Natural Elite keyboard with my Mac for years. They have a very nice system pref pane for it (I have the function keys assigned for a bunch of stuff) but, yeah, you can easily remap the keys as Ken Sp. & MSG said.

[modelamac]

Paul F

In another forum, there was a thread on this very question. A guy wrote an Applescript for handling this, and another for reversing the process. It was for an apple keyboard, but might work for the PC keyboard. Wouldn't hurt to try it once.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,17425519

[anonymouse1]

That link says that there are MS drives, for OS X, for MS keyboards.

Anybody know if those will work with non-MS keyboards?

[Paul F.]

OK...

System prefs (in 10.4 at least, which I'm running) does NOT seem to allow the modifier keys ON THIS KEYBOARD to be swapped.

I did go to Microsofts site, and downloaded the MS Keyboard drivers...
I was confused a bit because this particular keyboard was not mentioned by name as being supported... but the driver installed and IS working just fine.

It appears that I have the OEM/Generic version of the Microsoft Natural 4000, as the keys and size etc seem identical.

SO for now, I'm up and running.... but do need to get used to this keyboard. The space bar is a little stiff (I suspect it will break in a bit), and if I stop and LOOK at the option/cmd keys, I get disoriented :-) If I just type, I hit them just fine... might use a piece of mailing label and a pen to go over 'em.