Thursday, June 25, 2015

I have just been asked about a non-working wireless keyboard...here is some helpful information

IS THERE POWER?

Wireless devices, unlike their corded bretheren, need batteries. Naturally, your devices will not work consistently if their power is patchy or inadequate. The first thing you will want to do if you are having trouble with your wireless keyboard or mouse is to make sure the batteries are not worn down and are installed properly.
The two most common types of wireless mice are optical and laser. On an optical mouse, if you see a red light coming from the bottom of the mouse, you should be good to go. On a laser mouse, there is usually a power indicator light on it somewhere to let you know the power status.
Checking if there is power to your keyboard is a bit more complicated. Usually hitting the Caps Lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock keys will cause a light on your keyboard to go on. If it does, you have power. If it doesn't, you should probably replace the batteries.
Note: Some models of wireless keyboards have the Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock lights on the mouse charging station and/or wireless receiver. If you don't see any lights when you hit one of those keys on your keyboard, check the mouse charging station or USB receiver when you toggle those keys. The indicator lights might be there. If your keyboard doesn't have indicator lights for these buttons, you may want to just replace the batteries with new ones. With wireless accessories just go ahead and put in fresh batteries if the device isn't working. Unless, of course, you just replaced them.

RESYNC YOUR DEVICES WITH THE USB RECEIVER

Your keyboard and mouse send their wireless signal to the USB receiver that came with your setup. The receiver will be plugged into one of the USB ports on your computer. Sometimes the receiver gets out of sync with the wireless devices, causing them to stop working.
Resyncing the setup is fairly easy. There is usually a "Connect" button somewhere on the USB receiver. Press that button. Usually there will be a light on the receiver that will start flashing when the "Connect" button is pressed. Then press the "Connect" button on the keyboard and/or mouse. This will stop the flashing light on the USB receiver. Your receiver is now synced with the keyboard and/or mouse.
Some brands of wireless accessories may have an adapter without a “Connect” button on it. In those cases, there should be a program installed on your computer that is used to pair the devices. Refer to the directions that came with your mouse and keyboard to find what program to use to reconnect your devices.
If you continue to have trouble with your devices, you may want to try connecting the receiver to another USB port on your computer. It usually takes a minute or two for your computer to recognize a device plugged in to a USB port. Be sure to give it time after you switch ports before resyncing.
Note: Some newer keyboards and mice are able to connect via Bluetooth to a computer equipped with a Bluetooth radio or adapter. If your mouse and keyboard are connected in this fashion, you will want to refer to the directions that came with the accessories to put them into pairing mode and connect them to your computer.

TEST YOUR DEVICES ON ANOTHER COMPUTER

If your devices have power and were resynced to your USB receiver, it could be there is something wrong with one of the devices. To be sure it is a device problem, you will want to try to connect your devices to a different computer. If you have the same problem with the devices on two different computers, it is likely a mechanical problem with the device itself.

Friday, May 1, 2015

New short cuts in Windows 8

Press this keyTo do this
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+start typing
Search your PC
Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-)
Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen
Ctrl+scroll wheel
Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+C
Open the charms
In an app, open the commands for the app
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+F
Open the Search charm to search files
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+H
Open the Share charm
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+I
Open the Settings charm
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+K
Open the Devices charm
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+O
Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape)
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+Q
Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within an open app (if the app supports app search)
Windows logo key Windows logo key +S
Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+W
Open the Search charm to search settings
Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+Z
Show the commands available in the app

Getting around in windows 8

Windows 8 shortcuts


Press this keyTo do this
Windows logo key Windows logo key +F1
Open Windows Help and Support
Windows logo key Windows logo key
Display or hide the Start screen
Windows logo key Windows logo key +B
Set focus in the notification area
Windows logo key Windows logo key +C
Open the Charms
Windows logo key Windows logo key +D
Display and hide the desktop
Windows logo key Windows logo key +E
Open File Explorer
Windows logo key Windows logo key +F
Open the Search charm and search for files
Windows logo key Windows logo key +H
Open the Share charm
Windows logo key Windows logo key +I
Open the Settings charm
Windows logo key Windows logo key +K
Open the Devices charm
Windows logo key Windows logo key +L
Lock your PC or switch people
Windows logo key Windows logo key +M
Minimize all windows
Windows logo key Windows logo key +O
Lock device orientation
Windows logo key Windows logo key +P
Choose a presentation display mode
Windows logo key Windows logo key +Q
Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within the open app (if the app supports app search)
Windows logo key Windows logo key +R
Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key Windows logo key +S
Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
Windows logo key Windows logo key +T
Cycle through apps on the taskbar
Windows logo key Windows logo key +U
Open Ease of Access Center
Windows logo key Windows logo key +V
Cycle through notifications
Windows logo key Windows logo key +Shift+V
Cycle through notifications in reverse order
Windows logo key Windows logo key +W
Open the Search charm and search for settings
Windows logo key Windows logo key +X
Open the Quick Link menu
Windows logo key Windows logo key +Z
Show the commands available in the app