LAPTOP help- Installing XP -can't type in numbers

[acemario]

Man I'm stumped!!!! So I bought a used laptop (Toshiba Satellite A10) with no hard drive and when installing XP and it comes time to type in the key, I can't type any numbers. It's like the SHIFT key is permanently pressed. 1 = !, 2 = @, etc.. The function number will not work either. It's the weirdest thing.

PLEASE if anyone has a solution or suggestion, I'm all ears!!!

Frustrated,
Mario

 

[xwb]

One of your shift keys is stuck. When you type letters, do they all appear in uppercase?

You can also get to the numbers with the Fn button. There is a numeric keypad on the right.

 

[ArizonaGeek]

Have you tried to plug in a USB keyboard to see if that works? Might get you installed and then update the drivers ... could cure it.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[acemario]

I thought the shift is stuck but the a and the s are lower case.

Will the laptop recoginze USB without having the OS completely installed? It's worth a shot.

Thanks Arizona and xwb!

 

[wahnula]

Look for "FN" and "num lock" key. On my Asus laptop I have to press Fn key + Num Lock key to get the number pad to function correctly.

The laptop's BIOS should recognize a USB keyboard w/o OS installed.

Tony

 

[xwb]

What happens when you press the shift and type 123? Do you get numbers or still !@#

 

[acemario]

I still get !@#

 

[Johnthephoneguy]

Hit the shift and the numlock at the same time, then it should let you type okay, my IBM laptop does this all the time.

JohnThePhoneGuy

"If I can't fix it, it's not broke!