Slow Keyboard Repeat Rate with the AnyKey Keyboard

 Last reviewed: November 22, 1994
Article ID: Q94988

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Some Gateway computers ship with the AnyKey programmable keyboard. On such systems, the keyboard repeat rate may be extremely slow, or you may accidentally program the keyboard to do something that you do not intend. In this situation, symptoms may indicate you have a problem with either Microsoft MS-DOS or Windows when this is not the case. To identify the AnyKey keyboard, locate a key labeled "Program" in the upper-right corner of the keyboard.

MORE INFORMATION

The following information may help you work around problems with the AnyKey keyboard.

Slow Keyboard Repeat Rate

The AnyKey programmable keyboard allows you to select the rate at which keys repeat when you hold down the keys. This setting overrides any setting made using the DOS MODE command or Windows Control Panel. You may choose any one of eight different rates, ranging from 2 characters per second (CPS) to 30 characters per second.

To set the repeat rate:

  1. Press the Repeat Rate Key (found in the upper-right corner of the keyboard). The Program LED should begin to flash.

  2. Function keys F1 through F8 produce the following repeat rates: 

           F1    2  CPS
       F2    3  CPS
       F3    5  CPS
       F4    7  CPS
       F5   10  CPS
       F6   15  CPS
       F7   20  CPS
       F8   30  CPS

  3. Press the function key that produces the rate you want, then press the Repeat Rate key again. The Program LED stops flashing and the new repeat rate is set.

Keyboard is Programmed Incorrectly

To reset the keyboard to its default state:

  1. Ensure the NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK, and SCROLL LOCK LEDs are off. If these keys are remapped (that is, they do not respond), skip this step and continue with step 2.

  2. Press the CTRL+ALT+Suspend Macro key combination. (The Suspend Macro key is in the upper-right corner of the keyboard.)

The Program light on the keyboard flashes momentarily, indicating that the keyboard has been reset. If the keyboard hangs (stops responding) after performing the above steps, unplug the keyboard from the central processing unit (CPU), then plug it in again or restart the computer.

If the computer is running Windows, the reset may fail. If this happens, exit completely out of Windows to the MS-DOS prompt, and repeat the reset instructions.

The AnyKey keyboard is manufactured by Gateway, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

REFERENCES

"Gateway 2000 Computer System User's Guide," pages 3-20 through 3-23.

KBCategory: kbhw kb3rdparty kbprb
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.00 3.00a 3.10 3.11 5.00 any key 3rdparty
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Last reviewed: November 22, 1994
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