Want to set 'num lock' to be on and active at Windows 7 Log-in screen on new HP G60-530US laptop.

Anonymous
2009-11-18T21:19:38+00:00

Have tried a number of methods to have num-lock activated at Windows log-on that were suggested for XP and Vista, but with no success. These include making registry changes to set

InitialKeyboardIndicators to a value of 2 at

HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard and

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard

and also running a numlock.vbs script in

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

as per Microsoft support site http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/314879

Regardless of what I have tried, including shutting down with num lock activated, num lock will be 'off' when the computer is rebooted. There is no setting in the BIOS to control num lock. Does anyone have another suggestion?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2010-07-01T17:15:38+00:00

I experienced the same problem myself; fortunately, the solution is simple.  For some reason, the default value of some of the registry keys (not all) were changed in windows 7, which causes the system to apparently ignore the InitialKeyboardIndicators settings in the other locations.  All that is requireded is the performance of a search of the registry using regedit for that key.  It is important to use the find function to locate ALL keyboard keys forInitialKeyboardIndicators and set them to the same value setting.  The value options are as follows:

0 - Turn all indicators Off (NumLock, CapsLock, ScrollLock)

1 - Turn CapsLock On

2 - Turn NumLock On

3 - Turn CapsLock and NumLock On

4 - Turn ScrollLock On

5 - Turn CapsLock and ScrollLock On

6 - Turn NumLock and ScrollLock On

7 - Turn all indicators On (NumLock, CapsLock, ScrollLock)

In my case, the string value was some 7 or 8 digit number such as 21765430.  These entries are the cause of the reboot change in the num lock status.  If you want it on when you boot, set the string value to 2 in all the keys with numeric values.  Problem solved!

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-11-19T18:03:01+00:00

    Hi CH3COOH,

    Welcome to Microsoft Answers!!!

    You can turn on or turn off Num Lock in the Basic Input Output system (BIOS).Follow the steps below to set the Num Lock options from the BIOS.

    Disclaimer: Modifying BIOS/complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk.

    I assume F10 is the key to be tapped in HP laptops to enter the Boot Menu or you can see towards the top right of the screen to select the key and enter the Boot menu.

    We have tried changing the Num Lock settings from our lab machine which is a DELL computer and I will put down the steps for the same. You can check for similar options in your computer and see if you can turn off the Num Lock from BIOS.

    1)    Tap F12 to enter the Boot Menu

    2)    Under the Boot Device Menu select System Setup

    3)    In the left side of the screen expand the category POST Behavior

    4)    Look for Num Lock Key option

    5)    Hit Enter and make changes to Turn off or Turn on the Num Lock

    6)    Exit and reboot the computer.

    Regards

    Varun J: MICROSOFT SUPPORT

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-21T13:40:59+00:00

    I thank you for the suggestion regarding BIOS settings, but as I indicated in my original posting, there is no provision in the BIOS to set the num lock.

    Perhaps there is an alternate approach?

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-11-25T21:47:58+00:00

    Hello CH3COOH,

    Thank you for your post.  Check out the thread HERE.  Please let us know if this did or didn't help to resolve your problem.

    Cheers

    Jason Microsoft Answers Support Engineer Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-26T04:03:53+00:00

    Jason-

    I appreciate your referral to another post with a similar problem. As I mentioned in my original posting, I have tried making the registry changes indicated but these did not work for me in Windows 7. My user's manual suggests that the num lock status should be restored to the same condition it was at shutdown, but I have found that shutting down with the num lock 'on' does not work. The computer still starts up with num lock 'off.'

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