# External Computer Keyboards

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2007 15:01:35

The keyboard has gone crazy on my laptop and won' let me use the letter e to get to edit boxs or the letter c to get to the other boxes. I don't know what I've done to the keyboard, but a couple of people have said getting an extra keyboard might be better. Does anyone know how much in £s a keyboard on it's own would cost? I just need one that I can plug into the back of my laptop, but soe people have told me that you have to get the keyboard when you get the actual computer or else with a mouse.

## Post 2 by BB (move over school!) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2007 16:28:13

No I use an USB keyboard with my laptop. You can buy them anytime. Not sure about prices though. Hell my cost $20 or under in US funds when I purchased mine.

## Post 3 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2007 16:36:22

There are advantages and disadvantages to going with the external keyboard. The primary advantage is that if you know the desktop keystrokes for at least JAWS (Not sure about window-eyes), you don't have to learn another set of commands. Also, if you are used to using the keypad for programs such as Kurzweil 1000, y9ou won't have to learn another set of commands. The disadvantage, of course, is that you have more hardware to carry with you. You may prefer typing on a standard USB keyboard, also. You shouldn't have any problems adding the keyboard at any time.
Lou

## Post 4 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 6:52:15

At least the computer keyboards have an insert key on them, which you need for a few of the jaws commands. Haha!

## Post 5 by soaring eagle (flying high again!) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 11:26:44

I had this happen so when I bought my new laptop I got a 17 inch one that had a full size key board. Yes a USB key board should work, I use one all of the time so I don't have the laptop setting on my lap. I was going to fix the keyboard on my other laptop but it would have cost about $100 to fix, and yes if you don't have the num pad, you would have to use the window-eyes laptop lay out.

## Post 6 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 11:50:20

I only use Jaws, because the copy of window eyes doesn't work on mine, but anyway, I had to change the layout to laptop, but got annoyed with the capslock key not working, so changed the layout back to desktop.

## Post 7 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 13:28:58

As an alternative, you can purchase an external numeric keypad. From what I've heard, the IBM 17 key model works well. You might try it if you have a nearby store that will let you try these things with your software.
Lou

## Post 8 by soaring eagle (flying high again!) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 14:17:33

that is a good idea but the letters are not working. but your right if you have a small laptop I have herd the num pads work well.

## Post 9 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 15:32:17

I'm thinking about asking if I can go shopping on Saturday or Sunday, so I might ask or see if I can try out the numpad or keyboard thing.

## Post 10 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 23-Sep-2007 10:54:17

I've got a keyboard now for 11 or 12 pounds, but I don't tink it's the keyboard that was the only problem now. I think I must have changed something in my Jaws settings and not realized it.