Using the iMate to connect IntelliKeys to Macintosh computers without an ADB port

05/2005

  iMate Cable

Newer Macintosh computers do not have an ADB port for IntelliKeys Classic. The IntelliKeys USB is required for Mac 8.6, 9.x, and OS X.

Only if your Macintosh does not meet the above system requirements for the IntelliKeys USB, then use the IntelliKeys Classic with the iMate adapter. Griffin Technology has created an ADB/USB adapter called the iMate that will allow the IntelliKeys Classic standard overlays to work with these computers.

If you are sending custom overlays or you use the Smart Typing feature with standard overlays, you must install an iMate Driver to use these IntelliKeys Classic features. See the section below, Installing the Drivers.

1. Turn your iMac off before connecting the IntelliKeys. The iMate Adapter has a USB connection on one end and an ADB connection on the other end. Locate a USB port on the CPU and plug in the iMate USB connector. (If you have no unused USB ports, then you need to consider obtaining a USB hub.) Next, connect the ADB connection of the IntelliKeys (labeled A in the diagram below) into the iMate ADB connector. The short end of the IntelliKeys cable (labeled C in the diagram below) will not have any attachment. (The iMate may or may not work if it is plugged into the USB keyboard.)

A typical USB connection arrangement on an iMac is shown below:

1. Download the latest iMate Driver that works with the IntelliKeys:

iMate 2.5.2 Installer

You will need Stuffit Expander to unstuff these downloaded files. Stuffit Expander can be obtained on the internet at www.aladdinsys.com

2. Double-click on the installer file to put the iMate Driver into your Extensions folder. Restart the computer.
3. Turn your computer off before changing connections to  the USB ports. Connect the iMate adapter directly into a USB port on the computer. Turn the computer on and test a standard overlay like Basic Writing Overlay.
4. To test the sending of custom overlays, open an overlay from Overlay Maker and send the file to IntelliKeys. You should see the familiar progress window to indicate that the custom overlay has been sent to the IntelliKeys.

• Be aware that other USB devices may have you install software that could overwrite your Mac OS ROM. You may also need to update your OS version to at least 8.5.1.
• If you have an original first release iMac, running at 233MHz, you may need to update your Mac OS ROM to at least 1.2.1. To check the speed of your machine, go to the Apple menu and choose Apple System Profiler.
• To check the Mac OS ROM version, you need to be on the computer Desktop and click on About My Computer, located under the Apple Menu, or open the System Folder and highlight Mac OS ROM. Then use the Get Info command found under the File menu of the desktop.
• To update the ROM and Firmware we suggest that you go to www.griffintechnology.com Click on iMac Adapters, then select iMate driver, then select iMac Update page. Griffin Technology has provided additional iMac update instructions. Remember to scroll through the entire page for all the information that you need to update your Mac OS ROM or print this page. To update the ROM on your machine you will be linked to the Apple web page.

When the latest iMate USB driver does not work, run the Uninstaller to remove all versions of the iMate USB drivers up to and including version 2.5.2.

Then install the iMate USB driver version 1.8

iMate 1.8 Installer