Remapping Keyboard Layout in Windows

Hi, all! I hope everyone is doing well.

I have a new keyboard and would like to remap a few of the keys to where they are on my old keyboard. Although the basic layout of the alphanumeric keys, shift, etc., are the same, a couple of the others I use frequently are in completely different locations between the two keyboards. (These are not your ordinary keyboards, but ones that allow a lot of variations in the physical setup to help with those of us who type for a living!)

As I am only semi-computer savvy, I want a program that helps me do this rather than trying to mess with any codes or anything. I’ve found a few free ones, but thought I’d ask here to see if anyone knows of a good one, or ones to stay away from. (I’m always leery of downloading things from places I’ve never used before.)

Thanks!!

http://www.portablegaming.de/images/smilies/thx.gif

Pam

I never did this, but maybe this help:
http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/remap-keyboard.htm
http://www.freewareweb.com/cgi-bin/archive.cgi?ID=1698

And, of course, Google :wink:

The best advice I can give you is to learn the new keyboard.
Software remapping of your keyboard has a habit of getting screwed up.
Unless you enjoy doing it over and over again ???

I know, I should just learn the new keyboard, but I’m just getting so tired of hitting the wrong keys and bouncing all over my document or deleting something I didn’t mean to. (The delete key is top right instead of bottom side right right. The delete key is above the backspace key, when it wasn’t before. The pg up/pg down keys are where the backspace key was.) My fingers just automatically go to certain places on the keyboard very fast and it’s frustrating me. LOL I know, I have no patience.
http://www.countingcows.de/verdammt.gif

Thanks for the help. I’ll keep trying to adjust, while in the meantime looking at mapping programs. If I don’t get used to it soon, I’ll look into remapping a couple keys.

Thanks!

Pam

The delete key has always been in the same place in a standard windows qwerty 102, 104/105 keyboards, that is why this standardisation was introduced, so it looks like you weren’t using a standard keyboard before.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout

http://www.seoconsultants.com/windows/keyboard/

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/kb/layout/std.htm

Hi, DavidR,

No, I don’t have a regular keyboard, exactly.

I’ve been using this one for years (without the wrist supports):

http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/maxim-usb-profile-720x440.jpg

And recently switched to this one by the same company. Without the pivot attachment, I can get up to 20 inches of separation between the two split keyboard sections. I use it with the attachment in the first picture, but the second one shows the keys better.

http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo-v3-10-blk_690x306.jpg
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-solo_690x375.jpg

I also have a keyboard tray that tilts backward and forward, and can be raised/lowered to four different positions.

I have typed for years in my own business and see a chiro on a regular basis because of shoulder/arm/wrist issues. These keyboards, tray, etc., are a must so I can keep doing what I do!

Now all I need is a keyboard stand that I can use standing up! Chiro just said I need to “not stay on my butt” so much because of the tightness that’s returning to a herniated disc area! LOL

Pam

Well the only real option it to try and get the same keyboard as you had before, try ebay, etc. if it is no longer manufactured.

I have recently paid over £300 for a new computer chair as I have a bad back, two crushed vertebra many, many, years ago parachuting and I suffer a lot if I don’t have good support. I could easily have paid more, but I couldn’t justify the expense even though this chair is much better and also much more expensive than any I have used before.

This chair also has armrests, something I always left off before, these have adjustable hight which means I can get closer to the computer table. I am able to keep my elbows on the arm rest even when using the mouse and that helps with the shoulder issue. I also use a wheat bag for a wrist rest when using the mouse which helps also.

Hi, DavidR,

The old keyboard still works (and I have a backup for it, too, that I bought inexpensively off eBay last year!). I just like the ability of this other one where you can spread it out so much. In fact, I have BOTH of them hooked up at the same time right now since I can’t make up my mind. Guess I just want to combine the two of them into one!!

A good chair can make such a difference, but boy can they be expensive! Armrests are nice, but I usually take mine off, too, because I can’t type with them on even if they’re adjustable! At one time, this company that makes the keyboards I have actually had a setup where you could attached each side of a split keyboard to the arms of a chair they also sold. It was rather expensive and they don’t sell it any longer.

Thanks!

Pam