Problems and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Note: See the PassMark website (www.passmark.com) for the latest version of the FAQ

Q. We manufacturer keyboards. How can we keep a record of each keyboard tested?

Yes, see the Batch mode testing page.

Q. When I press both Shift keys down, only the last released shift key is registered as coming up. Why ?

When both shift keys (Windows code 0x10 or VK_SHIFT) are depressed, Windows only passes a shift KEYUP message for the last shift key released, to applications such as KeyboardTest. KeyboardTest is hence limited to detecting only the last shift key released.

Q. Only one shift key is registered by KeyboardTest when the key code is set to Windows but both are registered when in BIOS mode?

Windows uses the same message when either of the shift keys are used

Q. Is there a limit on how many custom keyboard I can have?

It is possible to add up to 100 custom keyboards for specialized user requirements.

Q. Are there any additional keyboard layouts available for download ?

Yes, see the Keyboard layout download page

Q. Can I send you my custom keyboard layout for addition to your web site ?

If you have a keyboard that is not in the list above and have made a new layout file for it. Please send it in. We will include it on this page. Make sure you send in both the layout file (xxxx.kbl) and the image file (xxx.bmp). Mail these files to Click to send mail help@passmark.com

Q. How can I add my own keyboard to the list of available keyboards.

See the instructions here, “Adding a new keyboard layout”

Feel free to E-Mail us your new keyboard layouts and we’ll include them in the generic product.

Q. I have a special keyboard that has a number of non standard keys that are not recognized by KeyboardTest. Can I still test the keyboard

If Keyboard test doesn’t recognize a key code, the Windows key code and BIOS key code values are still updated but not the other fields. Thus it is still possible to confirm is a key press was registered. If no key press is registered then these fields are not updated. Note that in some cases the BIOS or a device driver can block a key press. In this case the key press will not be registered.

Q. While testing the keyboard it stops responding. Why?

There are a couple of special keys, (like the Windows key) which cause KeyboardTest to loose focus. This means that the KeyboardTest window will no longer be the active window and KeyboardTest will not see key presses. To correct this just click anywhere in the KeyboardTest window with the mouse. Another possible reason for key presses being ignored is that during testing the Num-Lock key was toggled, on portable computers this re-maps an area of the keyboard to simulate a numeric keypad. Pressing Num-Lock again will correct this.

Q. When I press both Shift keys down, only the last released shift key is registered as coming up. Why ?

When both shift keys (Windows code 0x10 or VK_SHIFT) are depressed, Windows only passes a shift KEYUP message for the last shift key released, to applications such as KeyboardTest. KeyboardTest is hence limited to detecting only the last shift key released.