64 bit keyboards

[Verger]

Hi all,

I keep forgetting my new 64 bit PC needs a keyboard. I wonder, does M$
have native keyboard support in a sort of generic way that will be
able to handle this older Logitech Black Internet Keyboard? Wherein
the brand name doesn''t matter, I can forget about the driver to
uitilzie the 7 multimedia keys. Can I expect trouble due to lack of 64
bit drivers or...?

What kb's do you use in 64 bit Vista?

I checked a bit but see no driver support for most keyboards that seem
like nice ones I migth consider buying.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Vista x64 has a native, standard 101/102 keyboard driver that provides basic
functionality for most any keyboard. Additional functionalities are, of
course, provided for in driver sets by the manufacturers that choose to
produce them.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Andy [YaYa]]

Hi,

Vista x64 has a native, standard 101/102 keyboard driver that provides
basic functionality for most any keyboard. Additional functionalities are,
of course, provided for in driver sets by the manufacturers that choose to
produce them.

In English, you have to run drivers from the maker of the "Keyboard" in
order to have access to any "special keys" on the keyboard. Windows will
pick up the standard 101/102 keys (a-z, 1-0, etc), but for that email button
you need to have a program running from the keyboard maker.

 

[bill]

A normal keyboard will be fine,but you'll only have 32 keys available
instead of the normal 64,losing some functionality.

 

[Crazy Noddy]

Hi,

Vista x64 has a native, standard 101/102 keyboard driver that provides
basic functionality for most any keyboard. Additional functionalities are,
of course, provided for in driver sets by the manufacturers that choose to
produce them.

I use Creative Multimedia PS2 keyboard and all the extra function keys work
in Vista64 fine using just the Microsoft provided drivers. The only extra
keys that don't work are two keys for Word and Excel but I don't even have
Microsoft Office so that is expected. This keyboard is great and only costs
$25.00 at Zellers. Very smooth and light action on the keys and is laid out
perfectly for me. No stupid F-Lock key like Microsoft and Logitech has been
using in the past. F-Lock is the most annoying feature ever added to
keyboards. If you don't install manufacturer's drivers, which I never do, it
defaults to F-Lock on so that the function keys don't work as function keys
until you press the F-Lock key. Who's the dumbass that made the default that
way instead of the opposite way? Yea, I really want F5 to open my email
instead of being an F5 key by default - NOT. I tell you, sometimes these
computer companies really come up with brain-dead ideas.

 

[Crazy Noddy]

In English, you have to run drivers from the maker of the "Keyboard" in
order to have access to any "special keys" on the keyboard.

No you don't. All the extra keys work fine on my Creative Multimedia
keyboard just using the driver provided by Microsoft in both XP and Vista64.
I guess it depends on what keyboard you have though. Any of those stupid
keyboards with an F-Lock key probably need the manufacturer's driver, maybe
not though, just try it first with no manufacturer driver installed. I don't
use any drivers from the manufacturer for either my Creative keyboard or
Logitech MX518 mouse and both function perfectly.

 

[Crazy Noddy]

A normal keyboard will be fine,but you'll only have 32 keys available
instead of the normal 64,losing some functionality.

That explains why I only had 16 keys available to me in Win3.1.

 

[Verger]

I use Creative Multimedia PS2 keyboard and all the extra function keys work
in Vista64 fine using just the Microsoft provided drivers. The only extra
keys that don't work are two keys for Word and Excel but I don't even have
Microsoft Office so that is expected. This keyboard is great and only costs
$25.00 at Zellers. Very smooth and light action on the keys and is laid out
perfectly for me. No stupid F-Lock key like Microsoft and Logitech has been
using in the past. F-Lock is the most annoying feature ever added to
keyboards. If you don't install manufacturer's drivers, which I never do, it
defaults to F-Lock on so that the function keys don't work as function keys
until you press the F-Lock key. Who's the dumbass that made the default that
way instead of the opposite way? Yea, I really want F5 to open my email
instead of being an F5 key by default - NOT. I tell you, sometimes these
computer companies really come up with brain-dead ideas.

I tried my old black internet keyboard (Y-ST39) which cannot be found
on Logitech's website anymore and lost all support. I like it but it
has one flaw. The print on the keys fades. The E has gone, the v is
dissapearing and the a is almost gone now. The o is also faint and the
l. G and h are grinding away too. And the i. Hmm, all keys when I
examine them are fading away.

But anyway, the KB works fine and even the multimedia keys all 7 of
them work if you use setpoint. The MX-518 Oprical mouse rocks fine.