KeyboardTest Display

Keyboard Type: This drop down box allows the user to select from a list of available keyboard layouts. Pick the layout that is closest to the keyboard that you are currently using. The name of each keyboard is the same as the corresponding keyboard layout filename. This usually reflects the number of keys that each keyboard has and/or the manufacturer of the keyboard. Keyboard Test version 2.0 allows the user to create custom keyboard layout files (.kbls). For more information, see Creating Custom Keyboard Layouts.

Filter system keys: By checking this box some special purpose keys will be disabled for the duration of the test. Exactly which keys are disabled will depend on your keyboard and which version of Windows you are running. See the Filter systems keys feature for more information.

Scrolling key press history: Just under the filter system keys checkbox there is a scrolling area of the windows which displays a history of the keys which have been used.

Language code: The language code is responsible for the translation of low level keyboard scan codes to a set of characters appropriate for a particular language (eg. French). The current language code is displayed here. To find out the significance of each number see the Language code reference. Foreign language keyboard typically have a similar physical layout but with additional or exchanged characters in each key position. (for example the standard French keyboard is AZERTY rather than QWERTY)

Match key code: Two difference key codes are generated from key press. There is a low level code that is set by the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of the computer and a second code that is generated by Windows, after language translation. Thus if the user was to switch languages in Windows the Windows code would change to a new value but the BIOS code would remain unchanged.

Last key down: After each key is pressed the name of the key is recorded here. Note that this field is updated on the down stroke of the key. (not the up).

Last key up: After each key is pressed the name of the key is recorded here. Note that this field is updated on the up stroke of the key.

Depress time: The amount of time in milliseconds that the key was held down for. If a key is pressed quickly you should get a time well below 100ms (One tenth of a seconds). On our test systems times of 50ms and below were possible. Times above 100ms may indicate the key is becoming stuck down and not springing back into position.

Lag time: The amount of time in milliseconds between when the current key was pressed and when the previous key was pressed. Only keys defined in the Keyboard layout file are considered for this measurement.

Windows key code: This is the Windows key code (see above) displayed as an integer number and also in hexadecimal. The codes returned from a particular key press will be different when different languages are in use.

Bios key code: This is the BIOS key code (see above) displayed as an integer number and also in hexadecimal. The BIOS values can, in theory, vary from one key board manufacturer to another. In practice however most keyboards return the same codes for common keys.

Characters / sec: The number of key presses that have taken place in the during a second. This is and averaged result calculated over the last ten key presses. Modifying the keyboard repeat rate in Windows will alter the number of characters that are generated per second.

Keyboard display: When each key is pressed down a red highlight is displayed over the key. As the key is released the highlight will change to green. The highlight makes it easy to see which keys have been tested. The highlights can be cleared by using the ‘Clear’ button. On some keyboards not all keys can be tested.

Note: Pressing a compound key will result in both the compound key and the individual character keys being highlighted. For example, pressing the ".COM" Key will result in 5 keys being shown as tested (".COM",".","C","O" and "M"). With a standard key (non-compound key) the down and up movements of the key will be registered. This will not apply to compound keys.

Other Highlights:

Red and green are the most common highlight colors however there are several others.

Keyboard display buttons

Test LEDs

Test the standard keyboard LEDs. Typically, NUMLOCK, CAPSLOCK and SCROLL LED tests can be carried out by selecting this button with the mouse of ALT-L. The LEDs will begin to flash and should then be visually inspected to check they are correct. These LEDs will flash until this button is selected again or Clear/Exit are selected. The LEDs will be restored to their original state.

Note: It is recommended that the Test LEDs feature is used for a couple of seconds either before testing the keyboard keys or after testing all of the keyboard keys.

Clear

Clear all results. Can be selected via the mouse or ALT-C.

Fail Test

Only applicable in Batch mode. Fail a test immediately (eg. On visually inspecting that a LED is not working fail the keyboard). Can be selected via the mouse or ALT-F.

About

Displays information about KeyboardTest. Can be selected via the mouse or ALT-A.

Help

Displays KeyboardTest help. Can be selected via the mouse or ALT-H.

Exit

Exits KeyboardTest. Can be selected via the mouse, ALT-E or ALT-<F4> .

Mouse Test Buttons

Mouse Drift
Mouse Move

Simple mouse test that check for unwanted movement and movement ability. See the Mouse Tests section for more information.