keyboard questions

[Leonette24]

I think I need a lesson in keyboards. I need a different keyboard than the ones that I'm seeing, but they may not exist. I keep hearing about 104, 108, and higher keyed keyboards, and Windows keyboards. I do a lot of typing and the keyboards that are out now have these buttons next to the space bar that I don't use at all. And because of their existence, the space bar is smaller and the ALT keys have moved, which irritates me to no end. Is there such a thing as a keyboard without those extra keys that I can use with Windows 98? I have a 101 keyboard without the extra keys, but I'm pretty sure this keyboard is preventing me from getting into safe mode to correct another problem (that's another posting somewhere else). What in the world can I do, if anything at all?

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

Your keyboard shouldn't be preventing you from getting into Safe Mode since that is really a software function. As for finding a keyboard without the extra stuff, I am guessing you will need to find old boards from before the Windows key was added. I know my local MicroCenter sells them for a couple of dollars each, so I am guessing you should be able to buy a pile of them if you wish. A couple of the pros around here swear by the old IBM keyboards that weigh about 5 pounds each.

You could also do a Google search:

http://www.google.com/

and check out places like this for other ideas:

http://www.tifaq.com/keyboards.html

Budfred

[Leonette24]

Are you sure about this keyboard thing and safe mode? I don't know what's gone wrong, but I cannot get into safe mode now since I changed my keyboard from 104 to 101. When I try the two options, holding down the CTRL key and hitting F8, the CTRL key option gives me a keyboard error, and the F8 option does absolutely nothing at all. Am I missing something?

[Budfred]

I am not certain that a keyboard change couldn't block access to Safe Mode, but I don't readily see how it could. If it is a PS/2 keyboard, it should produce the same signal to the computer no matter how many keys it has. However, if it is not working, you could try other options like choosing Diagnostic Startup in msconfig and rebooting. If I remember correctly, this will put you into Safe Mode or at least let you choose what to load at startup. You might also want to check in Normal mode to see if your Ctrl key is working properly and try both Ctrl keys. As long as the keyboard is working, it seems that it should get you into Safe Mode, so if it isn't, something is probably wrong with it.

Budfred

[saphalline]

A couple of the pros around here swear by the old IBM keyboards that weigh about 5 pounds each.
I love those things! A bit outdated for modern WinXP usage :p but gosh darn it if those things weren't indestrucible! Those were the days, back when you didn't have to buy a new PC every year, but especially because you didn't have to buy a new OS every two years! :eek:

Technology moves fast. It's a love/hate thing... :D