help my parents-keyboard not working

[Eddie G]

My parents called me...my nephew was playing a game on their computer, and
now the keyboard does not work. The num lock light goes on and off as you
press the button. I walked them through removing and re-installing the
driver, Dell support had them go through various tests and the tech support
determined it is the keyboard cord, and they want to charge my parents $75
for a new one...they apparently ONLY use wireless keyboards now.

My brother remembers doing something like hitting the shift key 5 times (or
something like that) and got a message on the screen, but he does not recall
what he did or what the message said.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be wrong? Is there something
about hitting a key 5 times (or something similar) that disables a
keyboard?

Thanks,

Eddie G

 

[MrB]

Buy a new keyboard for under $10. Any keyboard will work on the DELL.

 

[Dick Kistler]

My parents called me...my nephew was playing a game on their computer, and
now the keyboard does not work. The num lock light goes on and off as you
press the button. I walked them through removing and re-installing the
driver, Dell support had them go through various tests and the tech
support
determined it is the keyboard cord, and they want to charge my parents $75
for a new one...they apparently ONLY use wireless keyboards now.

My brother remembers doing something like hitting the shift key 5 times
(or
something like that) and got a message on the screen, but he does not
recall
what he did or what the message said.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be wrong? Is there something
about hitting a key 5 times (or something similar) that disables a
keyboard?

Thanks,

Eddie G

When I pressed the SHIFT Key 5 times I got this message.

Pressing the SHIFT key 5 times turns on StickyKeys. StickyKeys
lets you use the SHIFT, CTRL, ALT, or Windows Logo keys by pressing
one key at a time.

To keep StickyKeys on, click OK
To cancel StickyKeys, click Cancel
To deactivate the key combination for StickyKeys , click Settings

Shouldn't have killed the keyboard.

Dick Kistler

 

[TJ]

Try this, go to Control Panel, Accessibility Options, choose the keyboard
tab. Make sure all that crap is turned off. No sticky keys or filter keys
or anything else. Also, may have to reboot after you do all that.
But I doubt this will help....

 

[Eddie G]

Buy a new keyboard for under $10. Any keyboard will work on the DELL.

That's what I said, but Dell said using a non-dell keyboard voids the
warrenty.

 

[Eddie G]

Try this, go to Control Panel, Accessibility Options, choose the keyboard
tab. Make sure all that crap is turned off. No sticky keys or filter keys
or anything else. Also, may have to reboot after you do all that.
But I doubt this will help....

That worked!! My mother is so thrilled and happy. Thank you!! She sends
you a big hug and kiss. Or would you rather have her send you a bottle of
wine?

Eddie G

 

[Thane of Lochaber]

That's absolutely absurd. Just get yourself a new keyboard and keep the old
one, and if you ever need them to work on it hook the old one back up. There
is no way they can tell if you have used a different keyboard, and no way a
standard keyboard will hurt the computer. Did they really say that? Sounds
like you got hold of a rep that has no idea what they are talking about.
Either that or they just want to sell you an overpriced keyboard.

 

[TJ]

LOL....no wine necessary. Glad you got it working!!!
-j

 

[Guest]

Try this, go to Control Panel, Accessibility Options, choose the keyboard
tab. Make sure all that crap is turned off. No sticky keys or filter keys
or anything else. Also, may have to reboot after you do all that.
But I doubt this will help....

 

[Kelly]

In addition:

See line 211 (right hand side):
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm