Numpad query

  • Thread starter Thread starter Frank Lekens
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Frank Lekens

I have a weird phenomenon with separate USB Numpads.

A major function of a programme I use is assigned to the Enter key of
the Numpad -- and NOT the regular Enter key, so apparently those two
give different signals to the computer (Windows XP). The function only
works with the Numpad Enter.

However, I've noticed that the Enter key of certain separate USB Numpads
(and I'm beginning to fear it's the majority of them) doesn't work with
this software either. Apparently this Enter key gives the "wrong signal".

To give an example: in the Netherlands, Trust is an ubiquitous brand name.

This old model (no longer available) works fine with my software, the
Enter key behaves the way it should:
http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=12837

But with this newer model, the Enter key is dead to this programme I'm
using:
http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=14522

The device isn't broken. The Enter key works fine in Calculator and in
other programmes. Just not
And it's not just with this Numpad. I've noticed it with others too.
(E.g. a Targus Numpad.)

What's up with this?

And I guess there's no solution other than keep looking for Numpads that
happen to work? Or submit a request to the software developers to change
the Numpad+Enterkey assignment in such a way that it works for all
Numpads? (Or is that not possible?)
 
Frank said:
I have a weird phenomenon with separate USB Numpads.

A major function of a programme I use is assigned to the Enter key of
the Numpad -- and NOT the regular Enter key, so apparently those two
give different signals to the computer (Windows XP). The function only
works with the Numpad Enter.

However, I've noticed that the Enter key of certain separate USB Numpads
(and I'm beginning to fear it's the majority of them) doesn't work with
this software either. Apparently this Enter key gives the "wrong signal".

To give an example: in the Netherlands, Trust is an ubiquitous brand name.

This old model (no longer available) works fine with my software, the
Enter key behaves the way it should:
http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=12837

But with this newer model, the Enter key is dead to this programme I'm
using:
http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=14522

The device isn't broken. The Enter key works fine in Calculator and in
other programmes. Just not
And it's not just with this Numpad. I've noticed it with others too.
(E.g. a Targus Numpad.)

What's up with this?

And I guess there's no solution other than keep looking for Numpads that
happen to work? Or submit a request to the software developers to change
the Numpad+Enterkey assignment in such a way that it works for all
Numpads? (Or is that not possible?)
Click to expand...

Try one of the utilities here ? Maybe there is some way to remap it.

http://web.archive.org/web/20080119133144/http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/remap-keyboard.htm

I selected an archived copy of that page, as it has less advertising.

Paul
 
Try one of the utilities here ? Maybe there is some way to remap it.

http://web.archive.org/web/20080119133144/http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/remap-keyboard.htm


I selected an archived copy of that page, as it has less advertising.

Paul
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. Maybe I'll try them, although I'm always a bit wary
of messing with the register.

Also I'm wondering if that software actually distinguishes two different
kinds of NumIns. Because that's what seems to be happening here: not all
separate numeric keypads give the same signal with their Enter key.
Which I think is weird.
 
Frank said:
Thanks for the tips. Maybe I'll try them, although I'm always a bit wary
of messing with the register.

Also I'm wondering if that software actually distinguishes two different
kinds of NumIns. Because that's what seems to be happening here: not all
separate numeric keypads give the same signal with their Enter key.
Which I think is weird.
Click to expand...

I don't really know what you would expect, with respect to the two Enter
keys. I mean, we have the ability on keyboards, to tell the difference between
left-control and right-control keys. So even the two things labeled "Ctrl",
seem to give different key codes at the hardware level.

So if the Numeric keypad did use the same key code as the Enter key on
the main keyboard, that's probably a mistake. The code should probably
always be unique, and the remapping handles the case of making equal
functions of them.

On another OS, I can test these things using Xev, and observe the
keycode used. I don't know how to do that on a PC. On a Macintosh,
you also have a keyboard utility that gives you some hints about
mappings. I don't have any great tools for Windows.

Paul
 
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