This week: What to do when your keyboard won’t behave itself.

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Some laptop users will already know what that says. For the rest of you, it says, "Help! My letters look like numbers." This problem is usually self-inflicted. Or, you can blame the cat.

If you're used to a full keyboard, with the special number keys off to the right, you may not realize that smaller laptops and netbooks don’t have that keypad. Instead, the numbers are embedded in the regular keyboard. If you look closely at the J, K, L, U, I, O, and P keys on a laptop, you'll see that they also function as numeric keys. Pressing a combination of keys activates this "function." Pressing the same combination of keys again restores them to their normal state.

The problem is that sometimes laptop users hit that combination accidentally. Suddenly you have numbers instead of letters, you have no idea why, and you just want it to stop!

Well. On some computers, all you need to do is press the NUM or NumLock key to activate/deactivate this behaviour. On mine, I have to press FN + F11. One of my customers has a laptop where it's a three-key combination and it takes two hands!

To fix this problem, you need to know the right key combination. Consult the manual that came with your computer. What? You don't have that handy? Well, you need to call tech support if you still have any warranty left. If you can't do that, try searching for the manual for your laptop online. "But Cate," I hear you say, "My letters look like numbers!!! How can I Google?"

No problem. Until you get back to normal, you can hold down the FN (stands for "Function") key when you need to type the letter instead of the number. Or, you can use the On-Screen Keyboard built into Windows. Learn how here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Type-without-using-the-keyboard-On-Screen-Keyboard.

Photo: Contributed

Disable CAPS LOCK

Many people want to disable the CAPS LOCK key on their keyboards. (Some people should disable it, but never do. But don't get me started.) There are several ways to do this.

The easiest way is to see if you already have something that will do it for you. For instance, Logitech, the SetPoint software has a box you can check to turn off CAPS LOCK. Yes, it's about five clicks in, but that's easier than any of the other ways I've found.

If you don't have a ready-made solution, you can edit the registry manually, or apply the REG file from this site: http://vlaurie.com/computers2/downloads.htm#Regfiles. (Please, please, please back up your registry or set a System Restore Point before you monkey around in the registry.) This solution is not for the faint of heart or inexperienced computer user.

A better solution is a program called Key Tweak which will remap keys or disable them. It's easy to reverse the process if you decide you don't like the results. You can download the program from the author's site, here: http://webpages.charter.net/krumsick. Install and run the program. You'll see a picture of a keyboard, with numbers on the keys.

• Choose the key you want to act on, in this case, the CAPS LOCK key

• Click on Disable Key

• Click on Apply

You'll have to restart the computer for the change to take effect.

A users guide is available at that site, and also shows up in the program folder when you install the Key Tweak program. The program is free, and works in XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

Mon clavier me rend fou!

I frequently receive e-mail from people whose keyboards have taken leave of their senses. Usually the question goes like this:

When I want a question mark this is what I get ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ. As you can see, if I hit the apostrophe I get this èèèè.

The answer is simple: Your keyboard is speaking French! If you’re only ever going to type in English, set your keyboard to the US layout.

• Click on Start | Control Panel

• Click on Clock, Language and Region (In XP, Region and Language)

• Click on Language | Details | Change keyboards

• Add the US keyboard and save it as default

• While you’re there, click on Language Bar, then on Hidden

• OK your way out

Now your keyboard will be set up just for English, the Language Bar will be hidden so you don’t accidentally change your language, and you can still throw in all the extra “U’s” for Canadian English!

Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or business computer get along!

Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna (http://computercarekelowna.com/) a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send email to help@computercarekelowna.com.

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