Apple Pro Keyboard: USB Device Extension Software

Symptom

When the computer starts up, an alert box with this message appears:

"Software needed for the USB device 'Apple Extended USB Keyboard' is not available. Would you like to look for the software on the Internet?"

Solution

One of these actions will resolve the situation:

• Use the Extensions Manager control panel to verify that the extension named "USB Device Extension" is turned on. If it is off, turn it on and restart the computer.
• If USB Device Extension is not in the Extensions folder, use Sherlock to find it. Drag the file into the Extensions folder.
• If USB Device Extension is not on the hard disk, install it by performing a custom installation from the Software Install disc. (The USB Device Extension software is an item within the system software's Network & Connectivity component.) For more information on custom installation of Mac OS 9 components, please see article 31288: "Mac OS 9: Installing or Removing Individual Components."

Note: The USB Device Extension adds the additional functionality of the new keys: volume up, volume down, mute, and the media eject keys. The rest of the keyboard will function normally without the extension.

Starting up with Extensions Disabled will still allow you to use the keyboard as basic keyboard functionality is built into the Mac OS ROM File. However, all function keys and extended keys will loose functionality.