Num Lock Key problems

[Jim]

I have a problem with my computer at work with the "Number Lock" NOT
activated when I boot up. My password usually has numbers on it, and I
forget to turn on the Numbers Lock, so the password fails the first time
(I like to use the ten key pad for numbers).

My computer is a Dell Optiplex, with Windows XP Professional, SP2, and
all the the latest critical updates, including WGA.

I contacted IT and they thought, besides the registry, I should check
the BIOS settings. I went into BIOS, and Numbers Lock was set to "ON".
I turned it to "OFF" and back to "ON" again and saved the settings,
but the Numbers Lock is still not active when I boot up. I checked the
Registry, and both the current user and all users keys under keyboard
were set to "2", which, according to the MS site, means Numbers Lock
should come on by itself.

What am I missing?

It seems the behavior changed when I did one of the Windows Updates.
BTW, I have an HP at work too, and it exhibits the same behavior.

Jim

 

[Guest]

Try this:
NumLock does not toggle on by default (system-wide), even if you have it set
in your PC's BIOS, because of XP's multi-user functionality. Guess Microsoft
doesn't know everyone actually turns it on, which should be reason enough for
what acts as "default"...

Anyway, you can hack the Windows Registry to change this behavior, or run a
script at logon to turn NumLock on.

1. To enable NumLock through the Registry:

* Open Windows' Registry Editor (START > RUN, type "REGEDIT").
*. Navigate to HKEY_USERS\.Default\Control Panel\Keyboard.
*. Change the value for InitialKeyboardIndicators from 0 to 2.

2. To enable NumLock using a script, see this MS Knowledgebase article for
complete instructions:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q262625

Option 1 is the quicker method, but if you have more than one user on your
system and one or more don't want NumLock on (stranger things have been known
of), then option 2 is the way to go since it allows you to only attach the
script to specific users.



Good luck
thanks

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a problem with my computer at work with the "Number Lock" NOT
activated when I boot up. My password usually has numbers on it, and I
forget to turn on the Numbers Lock, so the password fails the first time
(I like to use the ten key pad for numbers).

My computer is a Dell Optiplex, with Windows XP Professional, SP2, and
all the the latest critical updates, including WGA.

I contacted IT and they thought, besides the registry, I should check
the BIOS settings. I went into BIOS, and Numbers Lock was set to "ON".
I turned it to "OFF" and back to "ON" again and saved the settings, but
the Numbers Lock is still not active when I boot up. I checked the
Registry, and both the current user and all users keys under keyboard
were set to "2", which, according to the MS site, means Numbers Lock
should come on by itself.

What am I missing?

Besides a competent IT department? Nothing, really.

WinXP, like its predecessors WinNT and Win2K, by design, ignores
the BIOS settings for the NumLock key as a standard security feature.
(I'm afraid I can't remember the "security" issue initially addressed.)
By default, the NumLock key is turned off as WinXP starts, and keeps
it off until someone logs in and initializes a user profile. WinXP will
remember the NumLock's last state, meaning that if you log out with the
NumLock on, it will automatically turn on the next time you log in; If
you log out with the NumLock off, it will be off the next time you log in.

If one needs the NumLock on _before_ logging in, a registry edit
can be used to change WinXP's default behavior:

How to Set the NUM LOCK State at Logon in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314879



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Jim Madsen]

As I mentioned before, this key value (InitialKeyboardIndicators) under
HKEY_USERS, is already set at "2".

Maybe, I'll try the script, see if that works.

Jim

 

[Jim Madsen]

Besides a competent IT department? Nothing, really.

WinXP, like its predecessors WinNT and Win2K, by design, ignores the
BIOS settings for the NumLock key as a standard security feature. (I'm
afraid I can't remember the "security" issue initially addressed.) By
default, the NumLock key is turned off as WinXP starts, and keeps it off
until someone logs in and initializes a user profile. WinXP will
remember the NumLock's last state, meaning that if you log out with the
NumLock on, it will automatically turn on the next time you log in; If
you log out with the NumLock off, it will be off the next time you log in.

If one needs the NumLock on _before_ logging in, a registry edit can
be used to change WinXP's default behavior:

How to Set the NUM LOCK State at Logon in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314879

1. When I log out, Numbers Lock is on. When I boot up, it is not on.

2. As I mentioned in my (convoluted) posting, InitialKeyboardIndicators
is already set to 2 and IT is aware of this possible solution.

3. Maybe I will try the script option.

Jim