[Info-vax] USB keypads, PC laptops and VT-series terminal emulation

[David J Dachtera]

"Michael T. Davis" wrote:
> 
>         I use an old installation of QPC's QVT Term for VMS access.  It has
> a few issues, but I've either learned to live with them, or I've managed to
> work around them.  I recently acquired a new laptop, and I really need a proper
> numeric keypad for proper VT-series terminal emulation.  (The "embedded" keypad
> on the laptop just won't cut it.)

I'd be curious to know why.

Different emulators treat the functions keys rather differently.

(WRQ-)Reflection will, for example, use the NUM LOCK key as PF1 by
default, where some other emulators may move VT-PF1 to the PC F1 key.
Since the PC F1 through F4 keys usually have special meaning to Windows,
Reflection doesn't map these to NO SCROLL, PRINT SCREEN, SETUP and DATA. 

You may just need to get used to the PF1 thru PF4 keys being somewhere
other than under the usual fingers on a laptop keyboard. Note also that
on some laptops (I think Dell Latitude D610 is one example), the numeric
keypad mode is selected using the laptop's "Fn" key, and then the NUM
LOCK state determines how those keys behave: NUM LOCK ON = Numerics, NUM
LOCK OFF = Cursor Keys.

Using Reflection, about the only issue I've had is with a ThinkPad T20
which "loses" the laptop keyboard NUM LOCK key when you have an external
keyboard connected. You can use one keyboard or the other, but not both.

D.J.D.