Cannot Type Characters in an MS-DOS Prompt Window Using a Hewlett-Packard Multimedia Keyboard (275544)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

This article was previously published under Q275544
If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

SYMPTOMS

When you use a Hewlett-Packard (HP) Multimedia keyboard, you may not be able to type characters in an MS-DOS prompt window.

CAUSE

This issue can occur because the HP Multimedia Keyboard Manager program prevents you from entering keystrokes in the MS-DOS prompt window.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Keyboard.
  3. Click the Keyboard Manager tab.
  4. Click to clear the Enable multimedia buttons and onscreen display check box.
  5. Close all items and restart your computer.
  6. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click MS-DOS Prompt.
  7. Type the desired commands.
  8. To enable the keyboard buttons, click the Keyboard Manager tab, click to select the Enable multimedia buttons and onscreen display check box, and then restart your computer.
You can also contact Hewlett-Packard to inquire about an updated driver for the Multimedia keyboard.

MORE INFORMATION

To work around this issue, configure a selective startup procedure (one that does not use the startup items or the System.ini tool) by using the System Configuration utility (Msconfig.exe). You can also work around this issue by starting your computer in safe mode.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/8/2006
Keywords:kbHardware kbprb KB275544