Dell Latitude CP Reference And Troubleshooting Manual

Also see for Latitude CP: Service manual Service manual

Contents

4-16 Dell Latitude CP Reference and Troubleshooting GuideKeyboard Test GroupThe subtests in the Keyboard test group verify the correctoperation of your keyboard and the keyboard controllerchip.Why Run a Keyboard Test?Keyboard problems are not always caused by the key-board. For example, a complete lockup of the computer,rendering the keyboard inoperable, is probably not causedby a problem with the keyboard. There are two symptomsthat are likely to be keyboard-related. Sometimes, the config-uration of a program changes the function of a key or keycombination. Similarly, key configuration programs likeProKey can change a key’s function. Because these pro-grams are memory resident, be sure to clear them out of thecomputer’s memory before running a subtest in the Key-board test group. (Clear them from memory by booting thecomputer from the Dell Diagnostics Diskette.) When thesepossibilities have been eliminated, and if the followingsymptoms occur, you should run one or more of the subtestsin the Keyboard test group:• When you press a key, the character represented bythat key appears repeatedly; the key seems to bestuck. Run the Stuck Key Test.• When you press a key and the response is differentfrom the usual response or the response you antici-pated, the key contact may be damaged. Run theKeyboard Interactive Test.• When a key does not work at all, run all of the sub-tests in the Keyboard test group.SubtestsThe four subtests in the Keyboard test group confirm thefollowing keyboard functions:• Keyboard Controller TestConfirms the ability of the keyboard controller chipto communicate with the keyboard and confirms theprogramming of the controller chip• Keyboard Key Sequence TestVerifies that the keys on the keyboard function cor-rectly when you press them in a predefined order• Keyboard Interactive TestChecks the internal microcode of the keyboard andthe external interface of the keyboard controller chipfor a malfunctioning key• Stuck Key TestChecks the internal microcode of the keyboard andthe external interface of the keyboard controller chipfor a repeating key signalMouse TestThe Mouse test checks the functionality of themouse controller (which affects the ability to move thetouch pad/mouse pointer around the screen with itscorresponding movement on your desk or pad) and theoperation of the touch pad/mouse buttons.Why Run the Mouse Test?Touch pad or mouse problems are as likely to be causedin RAM as they are to be caused by a faulty touch pad ormouse. Three sources of problems include the configura-tion of a program (which changes the function of thetouch pad or mouse), memory-resident programs likeSidekick or ProKey, and failure of a device driver (thesoftware that controls the functions of a touch pad ormouse). If these possibilities have been eliminated andthe following symptoms persist, run the Mouse test:• When you press a touch pad or mouse button, thefunction of the button continues—the button seemsto be stuck.• If the response, when you press a touch pad ormouse button, is different from the usual response orthe response you anticipated, the button contact maybe damaged.• A touch pad or mouse button does not work at all.• The cursor does not respond on the screen in accor-dance with the movements you make with the touchpad or external mouse.SubtestsThere are no subtests for the Mouse test.