Mac OS X Server: USB Keyboard and Restart/Shut Down Window

Under Mac OS X Server, users can restart or shut down the Mac OS X Server by pressing the Control and Power keys to bring up the Restart/Shutdown mini-monitor window. Users are presented with the following message:
    Restart or shutdown?

    Type R to restart, or H to shutdown.
    Type C to continue
For computers with a USB keyboard like the Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White), the Restart/Shutdown mini-monitor appears, but users are unable to type anything in the window. Users are forced to restart or shutdown the computer manually.

Why does this occur?
The Restart/Shutdown mini-monitor window occurs at a lower level than the code for the USB driver in Mac OS X Server. As a result, USB input is not recognized in this window.

If you have a computer that has a USB keyboard, you should not use the Restart/Shutdown mini-monitor window. Instead you should restart or shut down the server by logging out of Mac OS X Server and clicking the appropriate button. Additionally, Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White) users can use an Apple ADB keyboard as this issue does not occur with an Apple ADB keyboard.
Published Date: Feb 19, 2012