Using the Keyboard and Touchpad 67
External Keyboard ProblemsCHECK THE KEYBOARD CABLE —Shut down the computer (see page42).
Disconnect the keyboard cable and check it for damage.
If you are using a keyboard extension cable, disconnect it and connect the keyboard
directly to the computer.
CHECK THE EXTERNAL KEYBOARD —
1Turn off the computer, wait 1 minute, and turn it on again.
2Verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the keyboard blink
during the boot routine.
3From the Windows® desktop, click the Start button, point to All Programs, point
to Accessories, and click Notepad.
4Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the
display.
If you cannot verify these steps, you may have a defective external keyboard.
TO VERIFY THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE EXTERNAL KEYBOARD,
CHECK THE INTEGRATED KEYBOARD —
1Turn off the computer.
2Disconnect the external keyboard.
3Turn on the computer.
4From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to All Programs, point
to Accessories, and click Notepad.
5Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the
display.
If the characters appear now but did not with the external keyboard, you may have a
defective external keyboard. Contact Dell (see page150).
NOTE: When you attach
an external keyboard, the
integrated keyboard
remains fully functional.
Unexpected CharactersDISABLE THE NUMERIC KEYPAD —Press to disable the numeric