How to Survive when Your Keyboard Breaks

It's the middle of the night and you are desperately working on that report for the morning deadline. Coffee spills, a pulled cord--however it happened your keyboard is dead and there is not a replacement in sight.

Don't panic if this ever happens to you. The stores may be closed, that report may be on a deadline but you can still type on a computer without a keyboard using a little-known feature built-in to Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft has worked hard to assist disabled persons on the computer, creating several features to make their computing experience easier. One of those features is an on-screen keyboard, especially designed for those who are physically unable to type using a traditional keyboard.

This on-screen keyboard looks like a traditional keyboard, much like the keyboards that appear on touch-screen terminals at kiosks. Instead of tapping the keys with your fingers you will use your mouse to click the individual "keys" on the screen.

Activating this keyboard will cause the keyboard window to float above whatever window you are using, allowing you to type by using your mouse. On Windows 7 the on-screen keyboard will even offer suggestions as you type to make the process faster and easier for you--just click on the word and it is automatically inserted with a space at the end!

To Access the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows XP:
Use your mouse to go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, Accessibility and click On-Screen Keyboard.

To Access the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows Vista:
Use your mouse to go to Start, Control Panel, Ease of Access, Ease of Access Center.

Under "Quick Access to Common Tools" select "Start On-Screen Keyboard."

To Access the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows 7:
Use the mouse to go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, Ease of Access, On-Screen Keyboard.

Use your mouse to click in the area where you want to type and then begin using your mouse to select the keys you need to press. You can use this just like a traditional keyboard--perfect for those keyboard emergencies!

Warnings:
Do NOT turn off your computer until you have a new keyboard to attach to it. The BIOS on a computer is designed (among other things) to look for an attached keyboard. If it does not find one it will stop loading and generate an error message, a message that can't be cleared off because the BIOS only sees traditional keyboards. Leave the computer turned on until you get a replacement--don't reboot for anything or you may not be able to get back in until you get that new keyboard!

References:
Microsoft Accessibility: Turn on and Use On-Screen Keyboard Windows XP
Microsoft Accessibility: Type without Using the Keyboard in Windows Vista
Microsoft Accessibility: Type without Using the Keyboard in Windows 7
"Upgrading and Repairing PC's, 15th Edition;" Scott Mueller; 2004.