Calling all you computer geeks.

[swanman]

I know that there are a lot of computer specialists on KB so here is a question for you.

I am currently learning how to use Autocad. Anyway I get to a part where you have to use the greater than and less than sign to make it do something. Well the symbols are on the the keyboard but I can not make them work. All other keys work. On this keyboard you have to shift on the key to get it to happend. This is an IBM R32 laptop, so far it has been a very good computer indeed. I called IBM (I am out of warranty) and they said take it to a local shop. I am sure there is a simple fix to get these 2 keys working again, maybe a keyboard reset thing or whatever..funny how all the other keys work with shift except these 2!!

Over to you..

[riffer]

Is it a keyboard mapping problem or a keyboard hardware problem?

Do the keys work in other programs?

[bugjuice]

well in that paragraph, you've got both the , and . keys goin. The < and > keys are the same thing with the shift key pressed at the same time. And I know your shift key works, cos you have caps, unless you're using the caps-lock key (say it 3 times and WINJA pops up), in which case, that wouldn't work.

You have 1 or 2 shift keys on the keyboard? If one is broke, the other should work..

or am I missing the point?

and an R32 is a pretty nice Skyline..

[swanman]

Very good calls.

If I use the first shift key I get this ,,,,,,........ depending on greater or lesser than if I use the alternate shift key I get this,,,,,,,......... so same. This is the case in all programs. I am sure that a while ago this wasn't a problem. If I use the shif key with the "2" I get "@" as it should be etc...

[jrandom]

Over to you..

I can't think of anything off the top of my head, but can I come round, look at the laptop, stroke my chin stubble while trying to appear wise, and then hang out and drink beer anyway?

[bugjuice]

Very good calls.

If I use the first shift key I get this ,,,,,,........ depending on greater or lesser than if I use the alternate shift key I get this,,,,,,,......... so same. This is the case in all programs. I am sure that a while ago this wasn't a problem. If I use the shif key with the "2" I get "@" as it should be etc...

*sucks thru teeth*
sounds buggered mate. should have bought the extended warrenty.

[Fryin Finn]

I use Autocad. I just tried and the greater and lesser symbols typed up fine.
I was using Iso font. Some other fonts don't use the keyboard symbols and quite often substitute a letter for a ?.
Also check the country set up for keyboards - in control panel check out keyboard and input locales on tab.

[swanman]

Bugger might have to take it to a shop, $$$$. Any good ones ALbany, Northshore???

[Devil]

You might need to confirm that you've got the right type of keyboard selected (Should be standard US), but I cant talk you through changing this, brain is on other things. Easier to look at in person.

[James Deuce]

LAptops sometimes have a another key that needs to be activated to access the keys you are after. It may be marked FN or Function. You'll have to hold it down as you would the shift key e.g Fn + .

[MrMelon]

I've seen this problem on some toshiba laptops. it was caused when the wrong keyboard map was selected. Eg. English (Intl) instead of English (US).

[FzerozeroT]

Just go into the autocad settings and re-bind those keys.

[Eddieb]

...Or open word/notepad/whatever, hold down the shift key and press every key that has a shift+symbol option till they appear.

At least then you will know if it's a key mapping problem. They will appear on one of the keys somewhere.

[pyrocam]

as pm'ed but might be helpfull to other KB'rs

I am a computer insurance assesor by proffesion.
Under the right circumstances I can ussually do work such as repairs etc cheaper than most places. If I do it myself for a KB'r it will be hella cheap. if I pass it on to my tech's it will be proberly be just the insurance price.

If your a regular KB'r I can ussually come visit anywhere in auckland after hours (depending on my schedule)

cheers

[swanman]

Fuck me. Got the computer back they tell me the keyboard is buggered on those 2 keys. So i buy another keyboard and plug that in to usb port. All good except still the same problem! So that means it is not the keys at all but some sort of set up/software thing! How do I reset the keys etc to correct standard???

Hang on fuck me again!!! The greater than lesser than keys are now in tilde key the one above the apostrophe top left of key board. So they were there all the time hiding somewhere else.