Techies help please ...Brainstorm for fellow Moderator SoCalDem

[proud patriot]

Here's her problem:

I have somehow disabled my laptop keypad, so I may be offline a while


I managed to hook up my regular keyboard, but it's a pain in the ass to use, because the laptop only has one "round plug in thing", and when I have the keyboard plugged in, I have no mouse. I am terrible at using that flat pad thing and my finger to direct the arrow..

It's weird because I did this one other time, and it took me hours on the phone with someone in India to get it working again.. Even though I have a warranty plan, I will probably just take the dumb laptop somewhere tomorrow and have someone else "fix" it for me...

It quit in midsentence.. I apparanted hit some secret keys and turned the damned thing off.. \

I have no keypad lights at all..I have re-started it..I have restored to a previous day...I have read the manual..I have tried various combinations of keystrokes..nada..

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[rednek_Liberal]

1. Easy Fix...

Her Laptop Probably came with a USB Mouse and/or USB Keyboard. The Manufacturer should have provided a USB to PS/2 converter. Just plug in the mouse using the converter. If she is using Windows NT, which does not support USB, she will have to use the converter anyway.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Windows NT does support USB

I've never seen an NT install without it.

The USB/PS2 thing is pretty common, but sometimes, if the keyboard is hooked to the main board with a modular plug, it may work loose. It's an easy fix if you're adept at fixing small electronics; otherwise, take it to a computer shop where it should be a fairly cheap job to do.

Good luck!

--bkl

[rednek_Liberal]

4. Windows NT does not support USB Natively.

If you want to find third party "Open Host" controller drivers then it
is possible to use USB devices under NT. But since NT has no Plug and Play capability, USB really wont work. Check here if you don't believe me http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q196661/

[Dogmudgeon]

6. Oh, I don't doubt it

I've never seen NT without USB support. Probably it's a "plug in" rather than "Plug and Play".

But I've been told the same thing about a large number of NT services and utilities.

After all, I'm just a programmer. :)

Now, would you like the Mint Julep Vindaloo Slurpee or the Key Lime Chicken Vindaloo Slurpee?

--bkl

[rednek_Liberal]

2. Guess i should have read the whole post first..

If the laptop keypad is not responding, look for a Function key(on thinkpads and Compaq EVO's (I think) it is a single key w/ Blue letters FN)(On Dell latitudes I think you have to hold shift and the FN key)...and look for a key with blue picture of a keyboard. push both together.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

5. How about the make and model of the laptop

for starters?