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Build Your Own PC: PC/Computer Keyboards

Last updated on 22 March 2010

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This article consists of six pages. You can access the other five pages by clicking the relevant hyperlink below.

Step 5

The Expansion Cards and

Peripheral Devices

This set of pages is devoted to the following adapter cards and peripheral devices. Click the relevant heading to go to information on that subject.

The Keyboard

Touch screens and speech-recognition software will eventually replace computer keyboards for most users, but for many years to come you will be able to buy a wireless or wired USB keyboard, or a standard PS/2 keyboard that has a plug that fits into the PS/2 keyboard port of an ATX motherboard.

Most recent laptop PCs allow the use an external keyboard, which cannot usually be a PS/2 keyboard, because most laptops don't provide a PS/2 port. You will have to use a wireless or a USB keyboard.

A wireless keyboard could have a radio transmitter that connects to the PS/2 keyboard port itself, or to a USB port, or it can obtain a signal from an infrared (IR) transmitter connected to an IR port on the motherboard.

Most wired and wireless computer mice and keyboards use a USB 2.0 connection. For a wireless mouse or keyboard, the wireless adapter is connected to a USB port on the computer. Bluetooth technology is also used for wirless printers, keyboards and mice. It uses the USB 2.0 interface if an adapter (dongle) is used. However, some desktop computers and most recent laptop computers come with a built-in Bluetooth adapter, which operates in the same way as a wireless 802.11g/n network adapter.

Note that USB 3.0 is now available and some PC motherboards provide it, so it won't be long before all motherboards do.

SuperSpeed USB 3.0 FAQ -

http://www.everythingusb.com/superspeed-usb.html

The following link provides a video showing the differences between PS/2, USB and FireWire cables. The FireWire interface is no currently used for computer mice and keyboards.

http://video.about.com/pcsupport/Understanding-Computer-Cables.htm

Note well that if you have two or more computers in a building or house that use wireless keyboards, the signals from one downstairs (or anywhere within the range of another computer) can be picked up by one upstairs so that all kinds of different windows and dialog boxes open, programs run, folders open - even entire folders with dozens of sub-folders and several thousand files might be copied to another folder on a different drive, depending on what was being done on the other computer(s). The prime suspect is usually a virus or some kind of spyware or malware, but few people ever come to the conclusion that signals from wireless keyboards are to blame.

Although it is very difficult to find AT keyboards, or AT motherboards, or AT cases, which are no longer manufactured, you should be aware that they exist in case someone tries to sell you an AT component, or you buy them from an Internet auction site. All motherboards are currently of the ATX or, to a much lesser extent, the BTX form factors. The BTX form factor has not yet taken over from the ATX form factor, and perhaps it never will. See the first Motherboards page on this site for information on motherboard form factors.

An AT keyboard has a larger plug that cannot be fitted to an ATX motherboard unless you buy an AT to ATX conversion plug.

See the USB pages of this site for information on that subject. Note that USB keyboards and mice tend to be far more problematic than the PS/2 alternatives.

The PS/2 standard for mice and keyboards has been in existence since 1987 and is still supported by Windows Vista, which is the latest incarnation of Windows that comes as several different versions. Apple has got rid of PS/2 ports in all of its desktop and laptop PCs but, at the time of writing this (July 2008), most desktop PC motherboard manufacturers still provide PS/2 ports for a mouse and keyboard on their motherboards.

That can be useful, because the other main standard used for mice and keyboards - USB - still has some flaws in its design that make it temperamental. Indeed, it is not uncommon to find that a USB keyboard and mouse don't work, and the only solution is to use a PS/2 alternative, provided that the PC's motherboard has a PS/2 mouse or keyboard port.

Unless the BIOS setup program provides a device driver for a USB keyboard and mouse, you won't be able to use them to navigate the BIOS setup program, because Windows installs the USB device drivers when it starts up, and the BIOS is entered before Windows starts up.

Many new PCs, particularly from Gateway and Dell, only provide USB ports. However, there are currently (July 2008) still many new computers, including most new PCs from HP, that also provide PS/2 ports.

Most of the keyboard and mouse manufacturers provide devices that can operate with both PS/2 and USB ports. Adapters are available or come with new mice and keyboards that enable a PS/2 device to plug into a USB port and a USB device to plug into a PS/2 port. Note that these adapters won't work with just any keyboard or mouse. The device has to be designed to work with both types of port.

Installation instructions for these peripherals will be found in the motherboard's user manual, which either came with the computer, was packaged with the motherboard, or can usually be downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer's website.

In a Windows 95/98/Me system, the settings for the keyboard and mouse are found in the Start => Settings => Control Panel under the headings Keyboard and Mouse.

In a Windows XP system, they are also in the Control Panel, which can be accessed directly from the Start button.

For Windows Vista, look under the Hardware and Sound category in the Control Panel. Look for Keyboards and Mice and other pointing devices.

To find the settings for the mouse in Windows 7, which is also in the Control Panel under the Hardware and Sound category when it is viewed by category, just enter the word mouse in the Start => Search programs and files box. The link at the top of the box called Mouse opens the settings window. Note that when you select to View by: large or small icons, the Control Panel items are listed instead of being categorised.

You can experiment with the settings to set the repeat rates that suit you best.

To find out what is in the Control Panel in Windows Vista, read:

Using the Windows Vista Control Panel -

http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/using-the-windows-vista-control-panel/200429

This video shows you how to use the Control Panel in Windows 7:

Windows 7 Video Guide: The Control Panel -

http://www.computeractive.co.uk/computeractive/video/2251221/...

Below is an illustration of the location of the PS/2 keyboard port on an ATX motherboard from an MSI motherboard manual. All of the ports appear at the back of the PC's case when the motherboard is installed in a tower (vertical) or desktop (horizontal) case. Visit the Motherboards, PC Cases, and Power Supply Units section of this site for information on them.

Two USB ports are shown next to the two PS/2 ports. Most motherboards now provide at least four USB ports on the motherboard's ports panel and provide USB headers on the motherboard itself that can be attached to the cables of a USB brackets that contains USB ports. The bracket itself fits into a free slot at the back of the case in the same way as an adapter card.

Additional USB 2.0 ports can be added by attaching an inexpensive USB hub containing them to one of the USB ports on the motherboard.

If the PC's motherboard only provides USB 1.1 ports, you can buy a USB adapter card that adds USB 2.0 ports.

Note that USB 3.0 is now available and some PC motherboards provide it, so it won't be long before all motherboards do.

You can download the manuals for the latest MSI motherboards free of charge from http://www.msi.com.tw/.

The port above it is for a PS/2 mouse. A particular PS/2 port has to be used for a keyboard or a mouse, never for both. When connecting the keyboard and mouse make sure that you connect them to the correct ports. Most computers have color-coded PS/2 ports. If the computer has coloured ports the mouse usually connects to the green or teal connection, and the keyboard to the blue or purple connection.

The three large ports beside the two USB ports are legacy ports for old-technology devices. The large port on the top of the two smaller ports is a parallel port for parallel devices such as a parallel printer and external disk drive. The two smaller ports below it are for serial devices, such as a serial mouse, keyboard or joystick. Serial mice and keyboards are no longer sold new.

Click here to view annotated images of two ATX motherboards showing where the parallel port and the PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports are located. Click your browser's Back button to return here…

How to install PS/2, USB, and wireless keyboards and mice

Installing a PS/2 and USB keyboard is merely a matter of plugging the plug into the correct PS/2 port or into a USB port, respectively - with the computer switched off in the case of a PS/2 keyboard. You can plug a USB keyboard or mouse into a USB port while the computer is running, because the USB standard allows such hotplugging. You can damage the motherboard is you install a PS/2 device while the PC is running. If the device came with special software, then you install that according to its installation instructions.

A wireless USB keyboard and mouse package set usually contains the following:

• Wireless keyboard
• Wireless mouse
• Wireless receiver(s)
• Batteries (if not, you will have to supply them)

You can view and read about the latest Microsoft keyboards, mice and wireless keyboard and mouse sets here:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/default.mspx

Set up the keyboard and mouse where you want them in front of the PC, position the wireless receiver that connects to the PC and which provides the radio signal, and install the software that came in the package. Connect the wireless receiver to a USB port on the PC (USB ports can be at the front or back of the PC), with the PC switched on.

If there are no free USB ports, you can purchase a USB hub from a computer shop or online store that provides them. You plug the hub into a single USB port.

With the wireless receiver plugged in, Windows XP or Windows Vista will detect new hardware and install the device drivers. When that is done Windows will produce this message: "Your new hardware is now ready to use."

Now you can test the keyboard and mouse. If they don't work properly, experiment with where the receiver is placed. It shouldn't be placed to close to the case or monitor.

Visit the USB section of this site for information on that subject.

Keyboard device drivers (software)

All computer devices require device-driver software that is supported by the make/version of the operating system in order to be able to function.

If Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 cannot detect the make and model of keyboard and install the device driver from its driver library, when it detects new hardware it will ask you to insert the disc containing the driver. If you don't install a driver, Windows will install its standard device driver for the keyboard. If Windows installs the driver for the make/model of keyboard automatically, or you install the driver when asked to do so, or it installs its standard keyboard driver, you should visit the manufacturer's site for the latest driver (software) for that make/model of keyboard, because the software is continually being updated.

The drivers are available for the different versions of Windows. The driver support depends on the manufacturer. For example, some manufacturers still provide drivers for Windows 98/Me, but others do not. Some manufacturers provide drivers for the Linux operating system; others don't.

The drivers are available for the different versions of Windows. Microsoft now only provides the keyboard drivers for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. The drivers are available for the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows. If you have a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows XP/Vista, you have to use the matching driver.

How to determine whether your computer is running a 32-bit version or a 64-bit version of the Windows operating system -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827218

Visit Microsoft's Keyboard and Mouse Products page to gain access to installation guides and software downloads for its keyboards and mice. -

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/default.mspx

Microsoft Hardware - Visit the following page to access the following products - Mice and Keyboards - Gaming Products - Webcams and Headsets - Mobile Products (mice) - Presenter Products - Media Center Products (wireless keyboard and mouse sets) -

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/default.aspx

The device driver information is available in the Device Manager under the heading Keyboards. If the manufacturer's driver is installed, the make and model of keyboard will be shown there.

Additional information on keyboards

Keyboards range in price from as low as £6 to £50 for a standard PS/2 keyboard to £50 and more for keyboards with fancy ergonomic designs that have all kinds of keys for working the system that an ordinary keyboard does not provide. But a standard 101/102 key keyboard will give you all of the functionality needed to work the system.

Remember that wireless keyboards are powered by batteries, which can be a nuisance to replace or recharge.

The Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader is a keyboard and mouse set. The keyboard is wired and the mouse is wireless. The fingerprint reader can be used so that only users that have fingerprint profiles can gain access to the computer.You should be aware that if your fingerprint is not recognised for any reason, you won't be able to gain access to the computer. This can happen for no apparent reason, so think twice before you use fingerprint-recognition devices.

Note that unless they have an alternative mains power connector and adapter, all wireless devices are powered by batteries.

When the keyboard driver has been installed, and the keyboard is attached to the computer, it will be listed as successfully installed in the Windows Device Manager under the heading Keyboard in Windows 95/98/Me and under Keyboards in Windows XP/Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Only USB and FireWire keyboards can be hotplugged, hot docked (hot docking), which means that the device can be connected to the computer while it is running. If your version of Windows supports USB, the USB driver will be loaded automatically. See the USB page on this site for more information on the standard. Other (non-serial, non-USB/FireWire) devices should never be hotplugged, since doing so could damage or destroy the motherboard. Note that a serial ATA (SATA) drive is a serial device and therefore it can be hot docked to a computer.

How parallel ports and keyboards work

If you want to find out how parallel ports and keyboards work, read these articles.

How Keyboards Work -

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/keyboard.htm

How Parallel Ports Work -

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/parallel-port.htm

If you want to learn what all of the keys on a keyboard do, click the following link to a keyboard tutorial page that shows an image of a keyboard. You click on a key to bring up information on the purpose of that key. -

http://www.seoconsultants.com/windows/keyboard/

How Bluetooth Works - http://computer.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth.htm

KVM switches

How to use two or more computers with one keyboard, monitor, and mouse

If you want to access more than one computer but don't need to network them, there is a little-known device called a KVM switch that allows the operation of two or more computers from one set of keyboard - monitor - and mouse. The letters KVM stand for keyboard video and mouse, I suppose because KVM sounds better than KMM. Some of these switches can allow thousands of computers to be accessed in this way, and some of them even allow the use of one sound card and one set of speakers. The computers and the one set of keyboard, monitor and mouse are linked to the KVM switch, and key toggles are used to switch from one computer to another. All of the computers are tricked into thinking that they have sole use of the keyboard, monitor, and mouse. This is an invaluable aid if you need to use more than one computer but you don't need to have them networked.

You can purchase KVM switches from all of the larger online electronics and computer businesses. A four-computer model is typically priced from £36/$60 to £75/$125, and a two-computer unit is about half that price. Note that the more expensive units usually have superior cables and shielding from electronic interference than the less expensive units.

KVM Switches that do DVI from Aten -

"Using a KVM switch to work on two or more computers with a single keyboard, mouse and monitor can certainly make life easier. However, we had to wait a long time for KVM switchboxes to catch up with modern technology, such as the all-digital visual interface (DVI) connectors for flat panel displays. Until recently, users had no choice but to use only D-15 analog VGA connectors with KVMs - a relic of the bygone CRT era. But such devices now not only enable switching among multiple sound and USB sources, they can even switch between systems with two monitors attached." -

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/...review-1370.html

Clutter Rescue: 2 Port KVM Switches -

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/clutter-rescue,review-935.html

Belkin - http://www.belkin.co.uk/ - make a good line of KVM Switches that make use of the PS/2 or USB computer ports.

Computer keyboards: Articles and reviews

Computer keyboard reviews: http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/keyboards/

Expert Reviews - keyboards and mice - http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/gadgets

Keyboards with Backlit Keys -

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/keyboard-backlight-backlit,review-1042.html

Why Buy a Gaming Keyboard? -

"When it comes to video game input devices, the keyboard is probably the furthest from ideal. Let’s face it, keyboards were not designed to serve as game peripherals. However, PC gamers have bent their gaming habits to fit the restrictions of the standard keyboard for so many years that most prefer keyboard controls to a gamepad." -

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/why-buy-a-gaming-keyboard,review-29601.html

A Few Office Keyboards Reviewed -

"...most desktop PC's come with a generic keyboard attached, but sometimes these keyboards don't suit ones particular needs or sensibilities of style. Some people require a keyboard that will give them an edge in a videogame, others a keyboard that won't hog up the entirety of their limited desk space..."

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/...review-1724.html

The Keyboard of the Future? -

"While tuning into 'CSI' one day I saw this neat little projection keyboard, which supposedly worked with lasers. Alright, I thought, being gadget prone, I’ll bite and see if this thing is useable. So it looks neat, but how does it perform?..." -

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/laser-keyboard,review-2369.html

Google searches

If my descriptions are not clear enough for you, you'll be able to find many sites offering illustrated information on how to install computer components by entering a phrase such as "install a xxxx" (where xxxx stands for the device, such as RAM, hard disk drive, etc.) in the Google search box at the top of this page (with its Web radio button enabled).

Click here! to go to Page 4c on the mouse.

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