Surely they charge the keyboard and mouse. Wouldn't at least one of them be charged via a USB cable? Plugging that to the computer would turn the peripheral into a wired USB one.
Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
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Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
#12A remote access tool with a client pre-configured could fix this. E.g., if this happened to me, I'd use KDE Connect since I already have it paired.
Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
#13Surely they charge the keyboard and mouse. Wouldn't at least one of them be charged via a USB cable? Plugging that to the computer would turn the peripheral into a wired USB one.
I was under the impression that the Apple keyboards could work via the lightning cable. Could be an old battery one though
Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
#14Surely they charge the keyboard and mouse. Wouldn't at least one of them be charged via a USB cable? Plugging that to the computer would turn the peripheral into a wired USB one.
Plenty of cheap peripherals still run on disposable batteries.
Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
#15Surely they charge the keyboard and mouse. Wouldn't at least one of them be charged via a USB cable? Plugging that to the computer would turn the peripheral into a wired USB one.
If they had Apple input devices (Magic Keyboard, touchpad, etc) they don't work over the wire.
Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
#16Surely they charge the keyboard and mouse. Wouldn't at least one of them be charged via a USB cable? Plugging that to the computer would turn the peripheral into a wired USB one.
Ever tried using an Apple mouse while charging? ;)
Jokes aside, not all bluetooth devices turn wired once plugged in. I know my MX Keys USB-C port is only for charging, for example.
Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
#17Surely they charge the keyboard and mouse. Wouldn't at least one of them be charged via a USB cable? Plugging that to the computer would turn the peripheral into a wired USB one.
If they had Apple input devices (Magic Keyboard, touchpad, etc) they don't work over the wire.
Is that so? I have a Magic Trackpad with a Lightning connection and I was under the impression that it did work over the cable. Thinking about it though, I'm not sure I ever validated that.
Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
#18Surely they charge the keyboard and mouse. Wouldn't at least one of them be charged via a USB cable? Plugging that to the computer would turn the peripheral into a wired USB one.
If they had Apple input devices (Magic Keyboard, touchpad, etc) they don't work over the wire.
It absolutely does work over the wire. I've done it, and a quick Googling shows plenty of others getting it to work. (Example: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/246337/apple-magic...)
Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
#19Surely they charge the keyboard and mouse. Wouldn't at least one of them be charged via a USB cable? Plugging that to the computer would turn the peripheral into a wired USB one.
Ever tried using an Apple mouse while charging? ;) Jokes aside, not all bluetooth devices turn wired once plugged in. I know my MX Keys USB-C port is only for charging, for example.
> Ever tried using an Apple mouse while charging? ;)
Lol yeah that design is really baffling!
That said, it's still possible. The charging port is near the back edge of the mouse (the side closer to the user) whereas the sensor is on the other end. It won't be comfortable but letting the cable hang off the edge of the desk should allow you to use it to turn bluetooth back on. :)
Re: Tell HN: How an elderly couple I know had their computer 'stop working'
#20I've never liked using bluetooth peripherals and this gives me another reason. USB dongle for life, I guess.