A client calls you about a problem where they are using their laptop keyboard, but the keys on the main part of the keyboard are typing out numbers instead of letters. What is probably the issue?
A) The keyboard is faulty
B) The keyboard’s Fn key is pressed
C) The keyboard is incorrectly configured for another language
D) The keyboard requires cleaning
The answer: B) The keyboard’s Fn key is pressed
Laptop keyboards have to manage many functions in a space that is much smaller than a normal keyboard. To accomplish this, many secondary functions are often included along with other keys. Most laptops include a function key that will toggle between the primary function and the secondary function. In this picture, the keys in white are primary and the blue markings notate the secondary functions when the Fn key in the lower left corner is pressed.
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The incorrect answers:
A) The keyboard is faulty
Faulty keyboards usually operate intermittently or not at all. Although it’s possible for a faulty keyboard to display incorrect letters, it’s much more likely that the Fn key is depressed if numbers are displayed instead of letters.
C) The keyboard is incorrectly configured for another language
Different language layouts will certainly change the keyboard functions, but the changes are usually differences in letters. The keyboard layouts of most languages don’t replace letters with numbers.
D) The keyboard requires cleaning
Cleaning a keyboard will help it work more effectively, but it won’t help a keyboard that is displaying numbers instead of letters.
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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. |