An end-user is complaining that their laptop keyboard is displaying numbers when letter keys are pressed. When you look at the laptop, you confirm that pressing some of the letters on the keyboard shows numbers on the screen. What is the most likely cause of this problem?
A) The Windows operating system has remapped the keyboard layout
B) The Caps Lock key is enabled
C) The laptop’s secondary function key is in lock mode
D) The laptop’s keyboard is faulty
C) The laptop’s secondary function key is in lock mode
Because of the smaller amount of real-estate, a laptop has a limited number of keys available. To resolve some of these shortcomings, many manufacturers will add a secondary function key (Fn) to the keyboard that will toggle between a normal key and a secondary function. This allows manufacturers to have the same functionality as a full-size keyboard with a smaller number of physical keys. If the Fn key mode gets into a “locked” mode, the secondary keys will become enabled without the need to press the Fn key.
The incorrect answers:
A) The Windows operating system has remapped the keyboard layout
Windows can remap a keyboard for different languages and countries, but it doesn’t move around the number keys.
B) The Caps Lock key is enabled
The Caps Lock key will capitalize the letters but it won’t change the letter keys into numbers.
D) The laptop’s keyboard is faulty
It’s possible to have a laptop keyboard that will register the incorrect keystrokes, but it’s more likely that the problem is associated with a simple function key lock. Keyboard problems are usually keys that stop working or the entire keyboard not operating.
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Want to know more? Watch “Diagnosing and Troubleshooting Laptops and Portable Devices.”When your portable device starts having problems, where do you start the troubleshooting process. Unlike traditional desktop personal computers, laptops and portable devices have additional steps for diagnosing troubles. In this video module, we’ll troubleshoot the boot process, video settings, stylus and digitizer issues, keypad problems, and antenna wires. |