I’ve googled to to no avail.
I have a new laptop with the typical “overlay” number pad embedded in it. I like using the number pad on full size keyboards and figured I’d get a little external keypad for the laptop (vs. getting an external full keyboard).
I get one today. To use it, you press the Num Lock key to make the numbers active. With Num Lock off the arrows, Home, End, PgUp and PgDn keys works. Super. BUT when the Num Lock key is pressed to use the numbers (on the external pad) it also activates the embedded/overlayed number pad on the laptop key board, which really defeats the purpose of having the separate number pad in my opinion.
Is there anyway to deactivate the embedded number pad so I can maintain use of all 26 letters plus punctuation and use the external key pad for number crunching?
(its a Sony 14″ Vaio if that matters)
Replies
Good question. If you can resolve your issues, I might add a keypad myself for drawing with chief.
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Stay posted. I'm sure the great Taunton University will have the answer.Thanks for the bump.
TFB (Bill)
Yes...we will keep bumping this till we get the answer! Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
one of the things i look for in a laptop is a numeric keypad to the right, just like the full-sized desktop units
i can always find them in a 17" screen... not sure about 15" or smaller
don't forget what i told you about switching your mouse to your left hand..
long term, it pays great benefitsMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mike, I tried switching and it doesn't work. Besides, I've never used a keypad for my numbers. I'm so slow at using CA that I doubt that it would make much difference. I'm kinda like an old remodeling carpenter like yourself who plods along happily on a build job while the framing fools next to him go about it in tract like fashion. It's all good.I would give the left handed numeric keypad a shot because I wouldn't have to "retrain" my hand. It would be all new and I think I have a chance at getting it down before I give it up do to frustration. Or, it might go into the box of tools that didn't work out. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
> one of the things i look for in a laptop is a numeric keypad to the right, just like the full-sized desktop unitsWhich is exactly the opposite of what I look for (but don't find) -- a regular keyboard without the effing numeric pad. The numeric pad is right where your mouse wants to be, and most people don't use the pad anyway.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
I guess I'm right between you and Mike.I wanted the size of the 14-15 inch machine but really likes the 17" feature of the number pad. I do use it quite a bit. More so than I thought until I didn't have easy access to it on the new laptop.There has to be a way to beat the system.
TFB (Bill)
I suspect that the right numeric pad will work, or maybe the right laptop. Probably the pad has to transmit the numeric shift with each keystroke.(In fact, the OP should double-check the documentation with the numeric pad -- there may be a setup option for it that makes it transmit the numeric shift automatically. May require loading a driver on the CD that likely came with the thing and which is usually useless.)
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
The keypad I bought was plug and play, No cd, no drivers to load.
Vista recognized it and ran with it. XP would have too I presume.Just looking for a work around or setting to change (or location of that setting).May just need to get a 101 key external keyboard but I'd rather not.TFB (Bill)
If you check USB devices it should show up there, and there may be a setting.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Thanks, just looked.Found the device. "The device is working properly" by the way. No settings to change however. :(TFB (Bill)
If you are using an external keypad, why not just use an external keyboard? that way you can also have the option of being ergonomic.
Hey, lets keep my ergs out of this. :)An external keyboard may be the only solution but I would like to keep desk surface more clear.TFB (Bill)
I am not aware of any way to turn the num lock off on a computer.
What brand is your 10 key pad, maybe a little research on that will help.
It is possible you could disable the num lock in the Bios setup.
I just bought one as a gift for x-mas and I am going to be disappointed if it turns out the same.
A medium to large guy named Alan, not an ambiguous female....
NOT that there is anything wrong with that.
Num lock can be turned on and off under program control, but that's not the issue.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Brand is the high dollar "Inland" brand. Cost about $10. :)I'm think bios setting too.TFB (Bill)
I would try another brand of 10 key pad. The ones I've installed on POS systems don't exhibit this behavior. Can't remember the make but they didn't require the numlocks on to work. They also didn't require drivers for XP or Vista.If I'd known it was harmless I'd have killed it myself.
All right I'll continue my search. Do you by chance recall a brand you used with success?TFB (Bill)
There might be an option in the control panel under keyboard, or possibly mouse settings.
I am afraid num lock is hardwired in much like caps lock, or shift.
Maybe a different brand of num pad?A medium to large guy named Alan, not an ambiguous female....
NOT that there is anything wrong with that.
Vista recognized it and ran with it.
Ah, well, there's your problem, it's a Vista "feature" <g>
Otherwise, Dan nailed where to go look, in the USB device set up. If at all possible, don't run the keypad through a port multiplier, that "stacks" USB 'device' set ups, which never, ever, but ever decreases complications.
I've eyed that Belkin add-on keypad more times than I'd care to admit--but, I learned ten-key at the same time as touch-typing, I really use a numeric keypad--which means, on the laptop, like I'm only half as efficient. But, that's me; others differ.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I couldn't find a switch to flip anywhere, check box to check, or radio button to flip to save my life.Found the device managers but it just told me "Device is working properly" Big help there. :)Anyhow I spent the bucks and got what I expected.RE: Vista. I'd been slap happy to get a machine with XP on it but I also wanted wireless-N protocol and couldn't find that combination. Granted I didn't have a two month extensive serch. Operationally though I've been pleased, it get on my network fine and sees the XP machines. The little confirmation window is a bit annoying every time you try to load something but not too bad. It reminds me of mac OS10.5 Leopard.
TFB (Bill)
There is a way to turn off that confirmation popup. Unfortunately, I'm not at that box though, so I can't tell you what it is. But I'm thinking it was either in the Security or Users tool of the Control Panel.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
how do we kill all of those popups???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
For you a 12-guage should do it.Or: Control Panel --> User Accounts --> Turn user account control off
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
why stop at 12GA????
this is a computer where talkin' here...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
we'll see what happens...
gonna go find something larger than a 12GA just incase...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Cool, I'll check it out.TFB (Bill)
reminds me of mac OS10.5 Leopard
Which remains the only proven-stable platform to run any of all the 12 Vistas on for no small amount of irony . . .
I forgot, when I wrote before, that Vista has "taken away" some of those "advanced features" under device managers--the ones where the "real controls" used to be.
But, you used the 'best' fix, jsut upgrading to decent hardware.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
move the mouse to your left hand...
it'll help when you're driving in Ireland... trust meMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
When you drive a manual transmission car in Ireland, is first gear toward your knee or away from your knee?
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
can't remember for sure... helps if i have a Guiness in my right hand....
lessee... i think it's set up just like ours... except you get to play rural mail carrier and sit in the right seat, with the gear shift lever in your left hand
i think the pedals are the same too
the hard thing is the damn streets are so narrow and it's hard to judge the clearance for your left hand mirrors
luckily they sell mirror kits at all the auto parts storesMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Kensington Notebook Keypad/Calculator with USB Hub, 19-key pad 72274
$30 at MicroCenter (don't think they have one in Austin) $29.78 at Amazon.Works great.TFB (Bill)
Thank Bill. I'm going to give this a try. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I'm going to give this a try
I want to remember the circus city over on mopac had kensington stocked, but, it has been a while (4-5 weeks) since I was over there. ReasonablePurchase often stocks kensington, so it's not a bad idea to hit up the web page, then browse the closest store (even if the PFK manager can't find any in the actual store . . . <grrr>)Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Check in your control panel go under Keyboard or external devices and see if you can deactivate it there. I'm just guessing. I'll check it later. If not I'll ask my techy friend.
Thanks AndyI looked there but could not find a solution.Let us know what your techy friend offers. Maybe I should ask one of my nieces or nephews, too.TFB (Bill)
That is an issue people have run into before on external number pads: Are the numbers the ones across the top of the keyboard or the ones next to the keyboard? Obviously, you need the ones that sit on the right. I suggest looking on a site like Amazon, NewEgg, or TigerDirect for this item. If the tech specs won't tell you which it is, then the customer reviews will.
People sometimes have this problem with specific software that looks for the number input from the numeric keypad.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
I did go to Amazon this morning. The answer does lay in the reviews. Actually, the issue was not brought up in the reviews so figured if no one brought it up it must work. I ended up getting the "Kensington Notebook Keypad/Calculator with USB Hub, 19-key pad 72274". I found this one and a Targus product on Amazon and then went to MicroCenter and talked to a real person, face to face, <gasp>. They had the Kensington and assured me f it didn't perform as expected to bring it back. She even said to bring back the junky Inland one I bought there and get my money back on it. :)The Kensington cost $30 plus tax. It works well, even has a calculator mode with display which will be handy, plus two USB ports.What did I learn? If you by junk you will be dissapointed, spend the extra bucks and you won't. Just like tools, hmmm.TFB (Bill)