Keyboard LED(?) indicators stopped working

Ever since changing keyboard batteries, the keyboard LED(?) indicators no
longer work. This is a HP wireless multimedia keyboard on an HP Pavilion
a362n running Windows XP. I've tried removing and replacing the batteries
several times but no change. Otherwise the keyboard works fine - just
trying to get the keyboard indicators back

On a "real" (wired) PC keyboard, the indicators are controlled by the PC
.... the PC sends a signal to the keyboard. On my wireless keyboards,
the indicators are in the wireless receiver, not the keyboard. I
suspect that the keyboard isn't receiving the signals to "turn on" from
the PC.


MRG wrote:
> Ever since changing keyboard batteries, the keyboard LED(?) indicators no
> longer work. This is a HP wireless multimedia keyboard on an HP Pavilion
> a362n running Windows XP. I've tried removing and replacing the batteries
> several times but no change. Otherwise the keyboard works fine - just
> trying to get the keyboard indicators back
>
>

The NumLock & CapsLock indicators on the wireless transmitter/receiver are
coming on but nothing on the keyboard. Any ideas on how to correct?
Someone had suggested the possibility of a BIOS setting to turn the keyboard
indicators on but I found nothing there.

"Barry Watzman" <> wrote in message
news:466640fd$0$30660$...
> On a "real" (wired) PC keyboard, the indicators are controlled by the PC
> ... the PC sends a signal to the keyboard. On my wireless keyboards, the
> indicators are in the wireless receiver, not the keyboard. I suspect that
> the keyboard isn't receiving the signals to "turn on" from the PC.
>
>
> MRG wrote:
>> Ever since changing keyboard batteries, the keyboard LED(?) indicators no
>> longer work. This is a HP wireless multimedia keyboard on an HP Pavilion
>> a362n running Windows XP. I've tried removing and replacing the
>> batteries several times but no change. Otherwise the keyboard works
>> fine - just trying to get the keyboard indicators back

On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 09:03:36 -0500, MRG wrote:

>> On a "real" (wired) PC keyboard, the indicators are controlled by the PC
>> ... the PC sends a signal to the keyboard. On my wireless keyboards, the
>> indicators are in the wireless receiver, not the keyboard. I suspect that
>> the keyboard isn't receiving the signals to "turn on" from the PC.
>
> The NumLock & CapsLock indicators on the wireless transmitter/receiver
> are coming on but nothing on the keyboard. Any ideas on how to correct?
> Someone had suggested the possibility of a BIOS setting to turn the
> keyboard indicators on but I found nothing there.

Are you certain that the new batteries are all in good condition,
providing the proper voltage? You can get an inexpensive button
cell tester from Radio Shack which might help, and should be a more
reliable tester than even an expensive volt meter that doesn't
provide a load on the batteries.

Do you still have the original batteries to compare with the ones
that are currently installed in the keyboard? Even if the batteries
are good, unless they have the identical part numbers (and different
brands tend to use their own unique numbers) you may have installed
batteries that aren't direct replacements for the original ones,
either because the voltages are different, or very small, hard to
see size and shape differences might prevent the new batteries from
making proper contact. For example, Lithium-Manganese Dioxide
button cells provide 3.0 to 2.7 volts throughout most of their life,
while Silver Oxide cells provide only 1.5 volts each.

Last - I've never used wireless keyboards, but it stands to reason
that they should support multiple channels, otherwise how would
several computers be able to operate in close proximity without the
keyboards interfering with one another? Maybe the keyboards
"forget" their original channel if the batteries aren't quickly
changed when they die, and you'd then need to follow some procedure
to get them in synch with the wireless transmitter/receiver that's
connected to the computer?

===================================

I just checked HP's web site and it appears that I guessed wrong
about the batteries, since they say that the wireless keyboards and
mice use alkaline batteries. The Setup Poster for the a362n
computer says that there is an instruction booklet that was included
with the wireless keyboard. Do you still have it? If not, here's
part of the FAQ for "Troubleshooting Wireless Keyboards and Optical
Mice" for HP and Compaq Desktop PCs. This being usenet, the
diagrams showing buttons and things aren't shown. URL follows :

> 6. Reset the keyboard and mouse connections:
>
> NOTE: The following connection sequence must be completed within
> 60 seconds.
>
> a. Press the Connect button on the receiver once.
>
> b. Press and release the recessed connect button on the underside of the
> keyboard. When you release the button, make sure it does not stick in
> the depressed position.
>
> NOTE: If problems persist after resetting AND there is another wireless
> keyboard or mouse near, use these steps again, holding down the
> keyboard or mouse button for ten seconds. Doing so may give the
> keyboard or mouse a new ID number in case the other keyboard or
> mouse was using the same number.
>
> c. Press the Connect button on the receiver again.
>
> d. Press and release the recessed button on the underside of the mouse.
> Make sure the connect button does not stick in the depressed position.
>
>
> 7. The wireless receiver that comes with the Keyboard and mouse is either
> a PS/2 style or USB. Perform the following steps to reconnect the receiver
> cables, depending on which style of receiver you have:
>
> * USB: Unplug and reconnect the USB cable (or dongle) into one of the
> USB connectors on the computer. If your computer has four (or more)
> USB connectors on the back of the PC, connect using one of the lower
> two connectors. Connecting the receiver into one of the higher USB
> connectors may cause the PC to not recognize the mouse and keyboard.
> Windpows(sic) should automatically recognize the receiver when found.
>
> * PS/2: Turn off the PC and reconnect the wireless receiver cables to the
> mouse and keyboard connectors on the back of the PC. The keyboard
> cable is purple, and the mouse cable is green. Windows should
> automatically recognize the receiver when found.


http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00006821

"ASAAR" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 09:03:36 -0500, MRG wrote:
>
>>> On a "real" (wired) PC keyboard, the indicators are controlled by the PC
>>> ... the PC sends a signal to the keyboard. On my wireless keyboards,
>>> the
>>> indicators are in the wireless receiver, not the keyboard. I suspect
>>> that
>>> the keyboard isn't receiving the signals to "turn on" from the PC.
>>
>> The NumLock & CapsLock indicators on the wireless transmitter/receiver
>> are coming on but nothing on the keyboard. Any ideas on how to correct?
>> Someone had suggested the possibility of a BIOS setting to turn the
>> keyboard indicators on but I found nothing there.
>
> Are you certain that the new batteries are all in good condition,
> providing the proper voltage? You can get an inexpensive button
> cell tester from Radio Shack which might help, and should be a more
> reliable tester than even an expensive volt meter that doesn't
> provide a load on the batteries.
>
> Do you still have the original batteries to compare with the ones
> that are currently installed in the keyboard? Even if the batteries
> are good, unless they have the identical part numbers (and different
> brands tend to use their own unique numbers) you may have installed
> batteries that aren't direct replacements for the original ones,
> either because the voltages are different, or very small, hard to
> see size and shape differences might prevent the new batteries from
> making proper contact. For example, Lithium-Manganese Dioxide
> button cells provide 3.0 to 2.7 volts throughout most of their life,
> while Silver Oxide cells provide only 1.5 volts each.
>
> Last - I've never used wireless keyboards, but it stands to reason
> that they should support multiple channels, otherwise how would
> several computers be able to operate in close proximity without the
> keyboards interfering with one another? Maybe the keyboards
> "forget" their original channel if the batteries aren't quickly
> changed when they die, and you'd then need to follow some procedure
> to get them in synch with the wireless transmitter/receiver that's
> connected to the computer?

Thanks. I've removed and tested batteries (AA) several times with no
change. All of the troubleshooting tips I've been able to find appear to
concern the keyboard not working at all. Other than no lights on the
keyboard, however, it's working normally so it's still communicating with
the receiver. It's an irritation but not something I'd replace it for.

MRG wrote:

>
> Thanks. I've removed and tested batteries (AA) several times with no
> change. All of the troubleshooting tips I've been able to find appear to
> concern the keyboard not working at all. Other than no lights on the
> keyboard, however, it's working normally so it's still communicating with
> the receiver. It's an irritation but not something I'd replace it for.

LEDs waste the batteries.

Also, my HP wireless keyboards do not have LEDs.

What model keyboard do you have?

craigm

"craigm" <> wrote in message
news:f6hbi.8$...
> MRG wrote:
>
>>
>> Thanks. I've removed and tested batteries (AA) several times with no
>> change. All of the troubleshooting tips I've been able to find appear to
>> concern the keyboard not working at all. Other than no lights on the
>> keyboard, however, it's working normally so it's still communicating with
>> the receiver. It's an irritation but not something I'd replace it for.
>
> LEDs waste the batteries.
>
> Also, my HP wireless keyboards do not have LEDs.
>
> What model keyboard do you have?
>
> craigm

Thanks. I'm not at the keyboard at present but, as I recall, the sticker on
the bottom of the keyboard was not readable. It's the multimedia wireless
keyboard and appears to be "Internet Keyboard 2" on page 22 of the users
guide at http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/bph08796.pdf.

This is rather late, but I will reply anyway for those who might want
to know.
I had a similar problem. Two hints are:
1. You must use Alkaline batteries
I tried NMHi batteries for a while. Both the mouse and keyboard
would fail.
I called HP and they said that the specs definetly said to use
Alkaline.
I tried Alkalines and all seems well now.

2. To get the keyboard and mouse to sync up, you must
a. First set of instructions that I got from HP
* Press the connect button on the receiver
* Press the connect button on the mouse
* Press the connect button on the receiver
* Press the connect button on the keyboard.
b. Second set. I used this when the above did not work. I only
used it for the keyboard since
the mouse was already sync'ed.
* Press and hold the connect button on the receiver for 5 -
10 seconds.
The Receiver light now begins to flash.
* Press the connect button on the keyboard until the
receiver quits flashing.

I h
"MRG" <> wrote in message
news: ...
> The NumLock & CapsLock indicators on the wireless transmitter/receiver are
> coming on but nothing on the keyboard. Any ideas on how to correct?
> Someone had suggested the possibility of a BIOS setting to turn the
> keyboard indicators on but I found nothing there.
>
> "Barry Watzman" <> wrote in message
> news:466640fd$0$30660$...
>> On a "real" (wired) PC keyboard, the indicators are controlled by the PC
>> ... the PC sends a signal to the keyboard. On my wireless keyboards, the
>> indicators are in the wireless receiver, not the keyboard. I suspect
>> that the keyboard isn't receiving the signals to "turn on" from the PC.
>>
>>
>> MRG wrote:
>>> Ever since changing keyboard batteries, the keyboard LED(?) indicators
>>> no longer work. This is a HP wireless multimedia keyboard on an HP
>>> Pavilion a362n running Windows XP. I've tried removing and replacing
>>> the batteries several times but no change. Otherwise the keyboard works
>>> fine - just trying to get the keyboard indicators back
>
>