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How to use external 10 key math plug-in

Asked by James Eads

I have a Targus USP math pad I use with my ASUS 12" laptop. It connects, but it does not function correctly. When I press SHIFT on my keyboard the computer recognizes numbers. When I do NOT press SHIFT it moves the active window around the spreadsheet like a Microsoft program with the NUMLOCK off. Is there a Ubuntu NUMLOCK command? Is there a way to use the keypad without keeping my finger on SHIFT?

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Thomas Krüger
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

What is the output of:

lsb_release -a; uname -a

Have you tried a different keyboard?

Thanks

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James Eads (james-eads) said : 		#2

I am not a UBUNTU techy so I did not understand the first question. I think that I would need to get to something like a DOS screen to find the answer, and I do not know how to get anything but the packaged programs. Sorry.
If you are asking for the Ubuntu Version, it is 12.04 LTS, and I am using Libre Office for most of my work.
Regarding the second question, I have a tiny laptop computer and I do not have access to a plugin keyboard. But if I did, I get back to my problem of configuring an external device to function with this system. If you are asking me to try a different Keyboard Configuration, then "no" I have not tried changing "keyboards".
Thank you for trying to help. So far we are not getting anywhere, but I greatly appreciate you efforts.

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James Eads (james-eads) said : 		#3

More info: I think my problem is that my tiny keyboard lacks a NUM LOCK key since it does not have a separate keypad. Is there a keyboard shortcut, a FUNCTION or an ANSI code that I can use to create the command "NUM LOCK"?

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Thomas Krüger (thkrueger) said : 		#4

You can set the the num lock state from a text console. To go there, press Ctrl+Alt+F1, log in and run
setleds +num

Then logout with "exit" and return to the graphical environment with Alt+F7 (it might be F8 or higher if multiple users are logged in).

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Best Thomas Krüger (thkrueger) said : 		#5

Alternatively there is a program that can switch the setting from a Terminal window. It is called "numlockx" and can be install from the software center.

When installed you can run "numlockx on" or "numlockx off" in the Terminal window. Also you can enter these command in the dash after pressing Alt+F2.

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James Eads (james-eads) said : 		#6

Thanks Thomas Krüger, that solved my question.