How do I Change My Keyboard From Numeric to Alpha on My Aspire 3500?

The "Num Lock" key activates an integrated number pad.

The Acer Aspire 3500 is a portable laptop computer running Windows XP. The Aspire 3500 includes several lock keys and an integrated number pad. When the "Num Lock" key is activated, 15 keys are converted from alpha functions to their numeric counterparts, so you don't need to attach an external number pad device. If you forget to disable the "Num Lock" function, these 15 keys will continue to type numbers instead of letters.

Instructions

1. Press "Fn" and "F11" to turn off the "Num Lock" function. The Acer Aspire 3500 indicates "Num Lock" using a padlock symbol with the number 1. The "Num Lock" light carrying this symbol will illuminate when "Num Lock" is active.

2. Open a word processor program, and type normally. After you have turned off "Num Lock," the number pad keys will type standard alpha characters instead of numbers. You can turn "Num Lock" back on by pressing the "Fn" and "F11" keys simultaneously.

3. Restart the computer if "Num Lock" does not deactivate using the shortcut keys. When you restart, the three "Lock" functions will deactivate by default, leaving you with a standard alpha keyboard.

References

• Aspire 3500 Series User's Guide