Installing an Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard
on Windows XP
As many of
you have seen Apple released yet another gorgeous product. The apple Bluetooth
keyboard.
Many of you
ask why should I pay the extra money for a bluetooth keyboard when I can get a
standard wirelss
RF one for
less? The answer is in two parts; basically the apple BT keyboard has 128bit
encryption, so all u
Little
script kiddies cant easily get your paws on keylogs, and secondly there isn’t
that really annoying
“miss-the-first-key”
syndrome that most RF keyboards have.
Now for me
both these facts were pretty none decisive, I bought the apple keboard purley
because it looks
so good,
and it is the best keyboard I have used to actually type on. It’s built better
than an Audi.
“…but I
haven’t got one of those macintosh computer thingy’s to use it on!” no fear,
this simple guide will show
you how to
get it up and running on Windows XP. (also a link here to get it to work on
linux)
Contents
Hardware Needed
- Computer running Windows XP
- Apple Bluetooth Keyboard
- Bluetooth adapter (bluetooth
version 1.1 needed)
Software Needed
- Microsoft intellitype 5.2
- Windows XP with SP2 (sorry
people SP1 aint got BT support)
- Standard drivers for your
bluetooth adapter
- Apple Keys 2 (www.justthom.com/applekeys)
if this is down google: “applekeys2.zip”
Installing the Hardware
First of
all make sure you have your trusty wired keyboard at hand and plugged in PS2 is
preffered.
Plug in
your Bluetooth adapter. (tested here is a Belkin F8T003, but the D-link DBT-XXX
works too).
Fit the
batteries into the apple keyboard.
Installing the Software
Now here is
the tricky part.
When you
plugged in your bluetooth adapter, its more than likely that XP as nice as it
is, installed the generic drivers
for you.
This is
good.
If not then
select the “unknown usb device” from the device list in you machine
(access by
right clicking on my computer and click properties) and then click “update
driver”.
You can now
select your cd/dvd rom drive where the CD that came with your BT adapter should
be inserted.
Let windows chew on installing the drivers
then wait for the “your hardware is installed and ready to use” bubble pops up.
Now install
the Microsoft intellitype pro 5.2 software available from Microsoft’s site for
free.
When you
are asked which device you are installing the software for click “Keyboard Elite for bluetooth”
NOT à Microsoft optical bluetooth desktop.
This WILL cause problems.
It will
then lead you through its installation procedure, follow it all to the letter,
it will ask you if you want to add devices.
From here
you then
On the Devices tab, click Add.
Select the My device is set up and ready
to be found check box.
Timing is of the essence here!!
Turn the apple keyboard over and switch it
on.
Now IMMEDIATLEY click Next.
Click the discovered keyboard device, and then click Next.
Click Choose a passkey for me.
Click Next, and then, when prompted,
use the apple keyboard (not num pad) to type the passkey and press return.
Follow the remaining instructions in the
wizard.
Once this is all done you will notice that
the keyboard is now fully operational!
Now if you want the use of print screen,
scroll lock, and pause, you will need to install Applekeys2. This can be found
on
Google. This software re-maps F14, F15 and
F16 to the above.
FAQ
Q: “Help
its not working!!”
A: Make
sure the keyboard is on and you have the batteries in the right way.
If this is so, then make sure bluetooth is
enabled on XP.
If it still doesn’t work, un-install your
bluetooth hardware and read this guide from start to finish properly.
Q: “Are you
sure this works?”
A: “I’m
typing this with the apple keyboard”
Q: “Is this
legal?”
A: “Well, I
bought the apple keyboard from a store. So that’s legal. I own a Microsoft
keyboard, and legitimately
went to the site for the latest software.
It just happened to have bluetooth support J “
Q: “So can
I get this to work on Linux?”
A: As far
as I’m aware yes you can. Try here for some info: http://klausler.com/msbtkb-linux.html
For any
legitimate questions or additions to this guide please email me. nemesiss1@hotmail.com
Visit my
page on gruntville.com for pictures of my main
rig.
(latest
update to computer: 21” Apple Studio Display)
Last
revised:
Click Here