The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Thinkpad keyboard and Numlock

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by dr_st, Sep 20, 2005.

  1. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    571
    Messages:
    1,437
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    As you know, when you turn on Numlock on a Thinkpad it flips the functionality of some of the keys on the right of the keyboard into the numpad functionality.

    The Access IBM documentation explicitly states that if you connect an external PS/2 keyboard/keypad it automatically disables the numlock on the internal one and returns the keys on the Thinkpad keyboard to their original functionality. Which is good, because it lets you use the keypad for numbers and the keyboard for typing.

    But this can only be done through port replicators, because there is no PS/2 port on the Thinkpad. Unfortunately it seems that when you connect a USB keypad, it doesn't exhibit this behavior, i.e. if you turn on Numlock for the external keypad, the keys on the keyboard turn into numbers too. Which sucks.

    Is there some way around that?
     
    dr_st, Sep 20, 2005
    #1
  2. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    947
    Messages:
    8,970
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Wow...that's a very specific issue. Have you tried a USB to PS2 converter?
     
    Brian, Sep 20, 2005
    #2
  3. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    571
    Messages:
    1,437
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Where would I stick the PS/2 into? There is no PS/2 on the laptop, only on a port replicator / docking station.

    I know that it's a specific issue, which will arise only when one wants to use a USB keypad with the Thinkpad keyboard, but come to think of it - it's not that uncommon, because the Thinkpad keyboard is excellent, and there's little sense to connect a full external keyboard, but some people may want a keypad.
     
    dr_st, Sep 20, 2005
    #3
  4. Henry Su

    Henry Su Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Wait, why can't you just press NumLock on the external keyboard?
     
    Henry Su, Sep 20, 2005
    #4
  5. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    571
    Messages:
    1,437
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I can, but it affects both.
     
    dr_st, Sep 21, 2005
    #5
  6. npaladin2000

    npaladin2000 LOAD "*",8,1

    Reputations:
    351
    Messages:
    1,247
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I have had the same problem....really got on my nerves. Never did figure a way around it. I wonder if I'll have the same trouble with my new Dell...
     
    npaladin2000, Sep 21, 2005
    #6
  7. Ondra

    Ondra Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi,
    I am experiencing the same problem now...moreover i need to use num keypad with dos application. What I have discovered so far is that the Trust Numerical keypad works well with windows programs if you install the driver which you can find at www.trust.com. This still doesn't solve my problem - I still can't use it in dos application (even though I run it under Windows XP). :(
     
    Ondra, Sep 30, 2005
    #7
  8. Ondra

    Ondra Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Finally I did it! I intalled Auto HotKey utility which is freeware availible at http://www.autohotkey.com/. What you have to do is to remap keys of the keypad when numLk is off to numbers. This means that you won't be able to use keypads home, end etc. keys, but these you have on your regular keyboard. Auto HotKey also allows scripting so I think it wouldn't be a problem to write a script which would allow to use numpad not only as numerical keyboard. Hope this helps.
     
    Ondra, Oct 2, 2005
    #8
  9. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    571
    Messages:
    1,437
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Wow, thanks! I'm gonna offer this solution to the person on whose behalf I started this thread. Thanks again!

    P.S. Are you sure it doesn't create an interference with the home/end/arrow keys on the Thinkpad keyboard (i.e remapping the keypad down arrow to "2" wouldn't cause the down arrow on the keyboard to be remapped as well?)
     
    dr_st, Oct 2, 2005
    #9
  10. Ondra

    Ondra Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Yes, I'm absolutely sure.
     
    Ondra, Oct 5, 2005
    #10
  11. depaashaas

    depaashaas Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    is it possible to only use the script when you pressed the ALT key
     
    depaashaas, Jun 16, 2008
    #11
  12. Arki

    Arki Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    3,639
    Messages:
    4,135
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    depaashaas,

    Please do not post and revive old threads. If you'd like help, please create a new thread specifically for your problem. You'll receive more help. You may refer to this thread by posting a link in your newly created thread if you feel like you need to.

    Thank you.
     
    Arki, Jun 16, 2008
    #12