External Keyboard Problems; Unexpected Characters - Dell Inspiron 8500 Owner's Manual

External Keyboard Problems

C
H E C K T H E K E Y B O A R D C A B L E
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.
C
H E C K T H E E X T E R N A L K E Y B O A R D
Turn off the computer, wait 1 minute, and turn it on again.
1
Verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the keyboard blink
2
during the boot routine.
®
From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to All Programs, point
3
to Accessories, and click Notepad.
Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the
4
display.
If you cannot verify these steps, you may have a defective external keyboard.
T
O V E R I F Y T H A T T H E P R O B L E M I S W I T H T H E E X T E R N A L K E Y B O A R D
C H E C K T H E I N T E G R A T E D K E Y B O A R D
Turn off the computer.
1
Disconnect the external keyboard.
2
Turn on the computer.
3
From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to All Programs, point
4
to Accessories, and click Notepad.
Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the
5
display.
If the characters appear now but did not with the external keyboard, you may have a
defective external keyboard. Contact Dell (see page 150).

Unexpected Characters

D
I S A B L E T H E N U M E R I C K E Y P A D
keypad if numbers are displayed instead of letters. Verify that the numbers
lock light is not lit.
— Shut down the computer (see page 42).
—
—
Press to disable the numeric
—
,
Using the Ke yboard and To uchpad
NOTE: When you attach
an external keyboard, the
integrated keyboard
remains fully functional.
67