58 Solving Problems
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External Keyboard Problems
NOTE: When you attach an external keyboard, the integrated keyboard remains fully functional.
Unexpected Characters
CHECK THE KEYBOARD CABLE —Shut down the computer. Disconnect the keyboard cable and check
it for damage, and firmly reconnect the cable.
If you are using a keyboard extension cable, disconnect it and connect the keyboard directly to
thecomputer.
CHECK THE EXTERNAL KEYBOARD —
1
Shut down the computer, wait 1 minute, and turn it on again.
2
Verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the keyboard blink during the boot routine.
3
From the Windows desktop, click the
Start
button, point to
Programs
, point to
Accessories
, and
click
Notepad
.
4
Type 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 —
1
Shut down the computer.
2
Disconnect the external keyboard.
3
Turn on the computer.
4
From the Windows desktop, click the
Start
button, point to
Programs
, point to
Accessories
, and
click
Notepad
.
5
Type some characters on the internal 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 page91).
DISABLE THE NUMERIC KEYPAD —Press <Num Lk> to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are
displayed instead of letters. Verify that the numbers lock light is not lit.