Windows XP in a Nutshell

Name

Keyboard Properties

Synopsis

Change the keyboard repeat rate and text cursor blink rate.

To Open

Control Panel → [Printers and Other Hardware] → Keyboard

Command Prompt → control main.cpl Keyboard

Command Prompt → control keyboard

Description

The Keyboard Properties dialog controls the way characters are repeated when keys are held down, as well as how quickly the text cursor (insertion point) blinks. Tip: move the Repeat rate slider all the way to the right (towards Fast) and your computer will actually seem faster (see Figure 4-48).

Figure 4-48. Move both sliders all the way to the right in Keyboard Properties to make your computer seem faster

The Hardware tab simply provides access to the Properties sheet for your keyboard (the same one you’ll get in Device Manager, discussed earlier in this chapter).

Notes

• All settings in this dialog are also covered in Chapter 5.

• Additional features that affect the keyboard repeat rate and text cursor can be found in Accessibility Options, discussed earlier in this chapter.

• Some keyboards, especially those with additional function buttons (such as web links and CD player controls), come with their own software. Some of this software includes hardware drivers and is absolutely necessary for operation, while other software is purely optional, adding only trivial features. Given the potential compatibility problems with Windows XP, it’s best only ...