Microsoft KB Archive/275544

= Cannot Type Characters in an MS-DOS Prompt Window Using a Hewlett-Packard Multimedia Keyboard =

Article ID: 275544

Article Last Modified on 7/24/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

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This article was previously published under Q275544



If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/w98?sid=460



SYMPTOMS
When you use a Hewlett-Packard (HP) Multimedia keyboard, you may not be able to type characters in an MS-DOS prompt window.



CAUSE
This issue can occur because the HP Multimedia Keyboard Manager program prevents you from entering keystrokes in the MS-DOS prompt window.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
 * 2) Double-click Keyboard.
 * 3) Click the Keyboard Manager tab.
 * 4) Click to clear the Enable multimedia buttons and onscreen display check box.
 * 5) Close all items and restart your computer.
 * 6) Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click MS-DOS Prompt.
 * 7) Type the desired commands.
 * 8) To enable the keyboard buttons, click the Keyboard Manager tab, click to select the Enable multimedia buttons and onscreen display check box, and then restart your computer.

You can also contact Hewlett-Packard to inquire about an updated driver for the Multimedia keyboard.



MORE INFORMATION
To work around this issue, configure a selective startup procedure (one that does not use the startup items or the System.ini tool) by using the System Configuration utility (Msconfig.exe). You can also work around this issue by starting your computer in safe mode.

Additional query words: HWKEY

Keywords: kbhardware kbprb KB275544

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