I have HP keyboard model SK-2565, which is a multimedia keyboard with lighted buttons and 2 built in USB ports. I liked the keyboard but getting them to work on other PC takes a bit of work. The original driver is part of Windows ME set that can't be broken apart and won't work on any PC other than the original HP Pavilions it came with. There are alternate drivers at driverguide.com but it didn't offer customizable button and the latest version HP has to offer does allow button mapping but it didn't work with the lighted part.

I tried to mix and match the driver and got disastrous result, the worst being the file KBD.EXE was taking up 50% of total CPU process (since I have dual core CPU, 50% would indicate 1 core is very busy and program(s) doesn't support multi-core processors).

Plan B: wiped the drivers out and reinstalled the version from here at HP web site (opens in new window or tab) but I still wanted to lighted button to work. So I got down and took apart my keyboard and after looking at it, it was simple enough to hack it to make it stay on.

The circuit is there to drive the EL sheet that lights the button and only 1 line leading to the black blob, the keyboard controller and USB interface chip. What I did was to remove the existing surface mounted resistor numbered R24 (red X) on board, and installed a 1K ohms resistor to any ground spot (blue line indicates closest spot to use) Then a little electrical tape to prevent the resistor from shorting on anything and it works.

Since it'd be always on, you can install any switch to turn it on and off as needed and mount the switch in discrete location. I chose to leave mine hard wired to be on when PC is on. If your PC often goes to sleep, you may want to install a switch to turn it off as some PC would still keep USB system powered.

Another thing to keep in mind, when doing this mod to enable the lights, do not plug the keyboard into bus powered hub (100mA per port) as the light would likely need more. Always use the self powered hub or diretly into PC (500mA per port)

Disclaimer I assume no responsibility if your keyboard got damaged or your PC USB system was fried due to the mod I posted above. This is at your own risk!