How to Edit Keys on a Compaq Keyboard

Computers include a standard keyboard mapping from the factory that is dictated by the location and language that will be used on the computer. Customizing a computer keyboard is possible by editing the registry in Windows (the hard way), or by changing the keyboard layout and using a keyboard editing utility to change specific keys for you (the easy way). Use Windows utilities and keyboard editing tools to simplify the process of editing keyboard keys on a Compaq computer.

Step 1

Press the "Ctrl," "Alt," and "Del" keys on the keyboard simultaneously while the computer is running. Click the square language button located in the upper left-hand corner of the resulting screen. Click to select the language and keyboard layout you wish to use from the list of languages and keyboard layouts that appear. Press the "Enter" key.

Step 2

Download and install the "SharpKeys" key mapping application (see Resources). Click the "Start" button and click "Programs" and then click "SharpKeys" to open the SharpKeys program. Click the "Add" button in the "SharpKeys" window that appears. Click the "Type Key" button located under the "Map this key (From key)" list and then press the key on the keyboard that you wish to remap and click "OK." Click the "Type Key" button located under the "To this key(To key)" list and then tap the key to which you wish to move the selected key function and click "OK." Repeat for each key you wish to edit and then click the "OK" button. Click "Write to Registry" and click "OK" and then reboot the computer.

Step 3

Download and install the "KeyTweak" program (see Resources). Open the program and click on a key in the virtual keyboard displayed in the "KeyTweak" window. Click the "Choose New Remapping" drop-down box and click on the key to which you want the key selected in the virtual keyboard to be reassigned. Click the "Remap Key" button. Repeat for each key you want to edit.

References

• Windows 7 Forums:How to Change the Keyboard Layout in Windows 7
• How-To Geek:Map Any Key to Any Key on Windows 7 / XP / Vista
• Techie Chips:Change / Modify / Reassign the Keys or Buttons of a Keyboard in Windows

Resources

• Krumsick:Index
• Randyrants:SharpKeys

About the Author

Dave Wilson has been writing technical articles since 1993, including manuals, instructional "how-to" tips and online publications with various websites. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and has Microsoft, Cisco, and ISC2 (CISSP) technical certifications. He also has experience with a broad range of computer platforms, embedded systems, network appliances and Linux.

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