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Alienware m15 R3 2020 | macOS Catalina Keyboard Troubles

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DigitizedMe said:
Thanks for the replay @Feartech! Is it possible the touchpad and keyboard could use both HID and PS2? The reason I ask is the Windows device manager tree shows both PS2 and HID for both touchpad and keyboard with only built-in devices attached.

Also with VooDoo PS2 or HID kext removed and config snapshot, the touchpad will work, but it's super choppy in macOS, as though it's dependent on both drivers.
Click to expand...
sometimes all that is needed is just VoodooPS2Controller.kext to drive keyboard and trackpad

if you have I2C, then use VoodooI2C.kext as well VoodooPS2Controller.kext (for just keyboard usage and disable the trackpad part of VoodooPS2Controller.kext)

also listing the VoodooI2C kexts is very important, this is how mine is setup for example:

Code: 
<dict>
                <key>Arch</key>
                <string>x86_64</string>
                <key>BundlePath</key>
                <string>VoodooI2C.kext/Contents/Plugins/VoodooGPIO.kext</string>
                <key>Comment</key>
                <string>Touchpad</string>
                <key>Enabled</key>
                <true/>
                <key>ExecutablePath</key>
                <string>Contents/MacOS/VoodooGPIO</string>
                <key>MaxKernel</key>
                <string></string>
                <key>MinKernel</key>
                <string>19.0.0</string>
                <key>PlistPath</key>
                <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>Arch</key>
                <string>x86_64</string>
                <key>BundlePath</key>
                <string>VoodooI2C.kext/Contents/Plugins/VoodooInput.kext</string>
                <key>Comment</key>
                <string>Touchpad</string>
                <key>Enabled</key>
                <false/>
                <key>ExecutablePath</key>
                <string>Contents/MacOS/VoodooInput</string>
                <key>MaxKernel</key>
                <string></string>
                <key>MinKernel</key>
                <string>19.0.0</string>
                <key>PlistPath</key>
                <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>Arch</key>
                <string>x86_64</string>
                <key>BundlePath</key>
                <string>VoodooI2C.kext/Contents/Plugins/VoodooI2CServices.kext</string>
                <key>Comment</key>
                <string>Touchpad</string>
                <key>Enabled</key>
                <true/>
                <key>ExecutablePath</key>
                <string>Contents/MacOS/VoodooI2CServices</string>
                <key>MaxKernel</key>
                <string></string>
                <key>MinKernel</key>
                <string>19.0.0</string>
                <key>PlistPath</key>
                <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>Arch</key>
                <string>x86_64</string>
                <key>BundlePath</key>
                <string>VoodooI2C.kext</string>
                <key>Comment</key>
                <string>Touchpad</string>
                <key>Enabled</key>
                <true/>
                <key>ExecutablePath</key>
                <string>Contents/MacOS/VoodooI2C</string>
                <key>MaxKernel</key>
                <string></string>
                <key>MinKernel</key>
                <string>19.0.0</string>
                <key>PlistPath</key>
                <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>Arch</key>
                <string>x86_64</string>
                <key>BundlePath</key>
                <string>VoodooI2CELAN.kext</string>
                <key>Comment</key>
                <string>Touchpad</string>
                <key>Enabled</key>
                <true/>
                <key>ExecutablePath</key>
                <string>Contents/MacOS/VoodooI2CELAN</string>
                <key>MaxKernel</key>
                <string></string>
                <key>MinKernel</key>
                <string>19.0.0</string>
                <key>PlistPath</key>
                <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>Arch</key>
                <string>x86_64</string>
                <key>BundlePath</key>
                <string>VoodooPS2Controller.kext</string>
                <key>Comment</key>
                <string>Touchpad</string>
                <key>Enabled</key>
                <true/>
                <key>ExecutablePath</key>
                <string>Contents/MacOS/VoodooPS2Controller</string>
                <key>MaxKernel</key>
                <string></string>
                <key>MinKernel</key>
                <string>19.0.0</string>
                <key>PlistPath</key>
                <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>Arch</key>
                <string>x86_64</string>
                <key>BundlePath</key>
                <string>VoodooPS2Controller.kext/Contents/Plugins/VoodooPS2Keyboard.kext</string>
                <key>Comment</key>
                <string>Touchpad</string>
                <key>Enabled</key>
                <true/>
                <key>ExecutablePath</key>
                <string>Contents/MacOS/VoodooPS2Keyboard</string>
                <key>MaxKernel</key>
                <string></string>
                <key>MinKernel</key>
                <string>19.0.0</string>
                <key>PlistPath</key>
                <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>Arch</key>
                <string>x86_64</string>
                <key>BundlePath</key>
                <string>VoodooPS2Controller.kext/Contents/Plugins/VoodooPS2Mouse.kext</string>
                <key>Comment</key>
                <string>Touchpad</string>
                <key>Enabled</key>
                <true/>
                <key>ExecutablePath</key>
                <string>Contents/MacOS/VoodooPS2Mouse</string>
                <key>MaxKernel</key>
                <string></string>
                <key>MinKernel</key>
                <string>19.0.0</string>
                <key>PlistPath</key>
                <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
            </dict>
            <dict>
                <key>Arch</key>
                <string>x86_64</string>
                <key>BundlePath</key>
                <string>VoodooPS2Controller.kext/Contents/Plugins/VoodooInput.kext</string>
                <key>Comment</key>
                <string>Touchpad</string>
                <key>Enabled</key>
                <true/>
                <key>ExecutablePath</key>
                <string>Contents/MacOS/VoodooInput</string>
                <key>MaxKernel</key>
                <string></string>
                <key>MinKernel</key>
                <string>19.0.0</string>
                <key>PlistPath</key>
                <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
            </dict>
 
I installed the KeyCastr app on macOS, and the FN + F12 key combination was reported as an F18 key press even though no other keys appear to be detected. On boot the menu bar displays input devices with a US keyboard when only the built-in keyboard is attached. This makes me think that the keyboard is recognized but something like mapping could be messed up?

I think I've tried every combination and order of the voodoo drivers in the config plist. Following your suggestions didn't change anything. With voodoo hid disabled or removed the touchpad doesn't work. With voodoo PS2 removed or disabled the keyboard doesn't work.

Is there anything else I can do to check the device functionality? I'm pretty much up for anything at all to get this to work. It's pretty discouraging to be so close to have a fully functioning Hackintosh. I appreciate your time and any suggestions you may still have.
 
@Feartech, do you have any problems leaving the VoodooInput.kext enabled in both VoodooI2C and VoodooPS2Controller? In Dortania's guide it says to disable one to avoid conflicts.
 
DigitizedMe said:
@Feartech, do you have any problems leaving the VoodooInput.kext enabled in both VoodooI2C and VoodooPS2Controller? In Dortania's guide it says to disable one to avoid conflicts.
Click to expand...
use only one, test either to see which works best, i use from latest VoodooPS2Controller.kext currently with no issues
 
I can't get any keys to register except for the FN + F12 combination. I've tried just about every configuration and order of Voodoo controllers possible in my OC folder & config plist. I've thumbed through other success posts for older model Alienware laptops, and it seems like they could get the internal keyboard working. Maybe something has changed since then or maybe it's a controller issue since FN + F12 is the "AlienFX" shortcut.
 
Last edited:
DigitizedMe said:
I can't get any keys to register except for the FN + F12 combination. I've tried just about every configuration and order of Voodoo controllers possible in my OC folder & config plist. I've thumbed through other success posts for older model Alienware laptops, and it seems like they could get the internal keyboard working. Maybe something has changed since then or maybe it's a controller issue since FN + F12 is the "AlienFX" shortcut.
Click to expand...
what does Fn +F12 do?
 
Feartech said:
what does Fn +F12 do?
Click to expand...
Tilda character (~) in terminal. If I remove the voodoops2 from loading in the config plist it won't do anything so I know that kext is doing something anyway.
 
We can wrap this up as Solved!

@jamesst20 provided an RHUB aml that I was able to drop into my ACPI folder, OC snapshot, and reboot with a working keyboard.

He also has the m17 R4 tutorial here if anyone else comes across this issue with these laptops:
www.tonymacx86.com

[Guide][11.2.3] Alienware m17 R4 (2021) - OpenCore 0.6.9

Hi, I would like to report that I was successfully able to install Mac OS Big Sur on my Alienware m17 R4 (latest model as of May 2021). Specs Intel Core i7-10870H Nvidia RTX 3080 (disabled) 17,3" FHD (1920x1080) 144Hz Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 SSD: 2x1TB Western Digital SN750 (Original were Hynix, I...
www.tonymacx86.com www.tonymacx86.com

Thank you both!
 
DigitizedMe said:
We can wrap this up as Solved!

@jamesst20 provided an RHUB aml that I was able to drop into my ACPI folder, OC snapshot, and reboot with a working keyboard.

He also has the m17 R4 tutorial here if anyone else comes across this issue with these laptops:
www.tonymacx86.com

[Guide][11.2.3] Alienware m17 R4 (2021) - OpenCore 0.6.9

Hi, I would like to report that I was successfully able to install Mac OS Big Sur on my Alienware m17 R4 (latest model as of May 2021). Specs Intel Core i7-10870H Nvidia RTX 3080 (disabled) 17,3" FHD (1920x1080) 144Hz Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 SSD: 2x1TB Western Digital SN750 (Original were Hynix, I...
www.tonymacx86.com www.tonymacx86.com

Thank you both!
Click to expand...

Wow glad I could help ! I spent so much time figuring that one out (and got a lot of help too)
I went all the way down to the solution like you did, I also had noticed Fn+F12 & Fn+F11 could be seen by the OS (Karabiner EventViewer) however our keyboard is not using PS/2 like we usually expect
 
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