Replacing a Laptop Keyboard and Mouse
Buying Laptops
Computer Repair
Replacing PC Parts
Copyright 2007 by Morris Rosenthal
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2007 by Morris Rosenthal -All Rights Reserved contact info
How to replace a Notebook Keyboard and Mouse with USB Adapter
When your laptop keyboard fails, you can usually buy a replacement for somewhere between $60 and $120, but putting it in is a real bear, and given the current prcies laptops have fallen to, it's tough to justify as well. When you own the same notebook computer for as long as I have, the pointing device, be it a pad or an intellipoint thingy, is going to fail. Laptop keyboard life is also somewhat limited compared to regular keyboards, hair winding around the works is a big problem, but I'd hate to encorage folks with limited mechanical skills to go prying off their keys because it takes some skill to get them back on. So, most notebooks have a PS/2 port to allow for an external mouse or keyboard, but few have both. You can try a PS/2 splitter if you can find one, but the more elegant solution is a USB to PS/2 adaper, shown at right.
Computer End of USB Cable
The USB to PS/2 adapter comes equipped with a standard USB input, the rectangular shaped connector (left). The other end sports two PS/2 ports, green and purple, green is for mouse, purple is for keyboard. You don't have to use them both at the same time, but for a notebook with a failing keyboard and pointer (Ahem) it's a good solution. Windows has had native support for USB mice and keyboards at least as far back as Windows 98, I wouldn't bet on '95 as all the USB support was sketchy. The point is, as long as you're using WIndows 98 or later, you don't need any special software with the USB to PS/2 adapter.
So, what's the big deal about installing a USB adapter that I did a whole page about it? Try it when the laptop CD drive has failed:-) The CD drive on my notebook went south over a year ago and I never got around to replacing it because I figured with a failing keyboard and mouse, I should be looking for a new notebook. The solution is to actually install the USB to PS/2 adapter on another PC with the same version of Windows. Then, install it on the notebook, and every time Windows looks for a driver on the CD that doesn't work, point it to the A: drive instead, go to the other PC and copy the reqired file onto a floppy, and do sneaker net. It may have taken 20 minutes, but it's a once in a lifetime job, so it was worth it.
Female Mouse and Keyboard Connectors
Don't replace anything without troubleshooting first!
Thinking about doing this for a living?
In case you're wondering, if you want to install real software, as in programs that won't fit on a floppy, onto a notebook with a dead CD drive, you can buy an external USB CD for much cheaper than a replacment drive for the notebook. Installing the software from the USB CD can be just as much fun as above, unless they provide the drive on a floppy, you'll have to install the software on another PC with the same OS first and then bring the required files over one at a time as Windows asks for them. You can use a Jump Drive instead of a floppy, though it's the same amount of work. BTW, I know I use laptop and notebook unterchangably, it's habitual, not intentional:-)
Good Luck, Please dont for get to Vote.Thank You.
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************ Didnt mean to send you the above, so sorry !
THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE NEEDING TO FIND YOUR SERIAL NUMBER ON YOUR COMPUTER.
Computer Manufacturer
The manufacturer is the brand name of your computer. DELL, Sony, Apple are all examples of manufacturers.
Make/Model
This is the type of computer you have and the model. For example, a Presario V214045 is a Make and Model of a DELL computer, MacBookPro A1150 is the make and model of a Apple computer. The make and model number of your computer should be visible on the outside of the CPU. For Apple users, you can also access this information via System Profiler (see below for details).
Serial Number
This information is also visible on the outside of the computer. You will most likely find it on a small sticker on the back or underside of your computer. Again, Macintosh users can access this information via the System Profiler.
MAC Address
Your MAC (Media Access Control) Number is a unique identifier permanently assigned to most forms of networking hardware. A MAC address is written as 12 characters arranged in six pairs. The pairs are separated by colons, but in Windows they may be displayed with hyphens and called a physical address instead. To retrieve your MAC address:
MS Windows From the START Menu, select Run and type cmd. You should then see a small black window with information about your operating system and a line that looks something like this: C:\Documents and Settings\User Account>
Type ipconfig /all.
You will now see all the pertinent information about your computer. The entry after Physical Address is your MAC Address. It will be combination of numbers and letters.
If you have are using the default Windows configuration, the entry after Ethernet Adapter Wireless Network Connection is your Wireless MAC Address.
Apple (OS X) From the Apple Menu open About this Mac and click the More info button.
Select Network.
Select Built-in Ethernet. To view your wireless MAC address select Built in Airport.
Your MAC address is at the bottom of the list under Ethernet.
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Make, model? Have you visited the manufacturers website?
That's a lot of txt for just the *most likely find it on a small sticker on the back or underside* part ;) When the sticker is not there or has been removed you might even find some clues inside the case. Just open it up and have a look around. Sometimes there is a big sticker on one of the panels of the casing, sometimes a smaller one on the base of the case. You could also get more information when you right click on 'my computer' on the desktop and then click properties.
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when i log onto the internet everything is not clear and in small letters
i can't find the serial number
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