Keyboard Testing
TESTING KEYBOARDS
Keyboards are tested for functionality. The good ones are then distributed throughout the building (Build, Thrift Store, etc.) or are boxed up for Bulk Sales. The bad ones are recycled.
To test a keyboard, follow these steps
- Turn on the computer by turning on the power strip next to it.
- Connect the keyboard to the system using the extender provided.
- Using the side to side arrows on the keyboard, select the KBD heading.
- Using the up and down arrows on the keyboard, select the Scan/ASCII test and select it by hitting the enter key.
- A window will pop up, select CONTINUE by using the enter key.
- You will see on the screen what looks like a keyboard. When you hit a key on the keyboard, a little star should appear on the keyboard image on the screen. This means the key works. If you do not see a star, the key does not work. Go through and test every key. If any keys do not work then RECYCLE the keyboard.
- When you have finished going through all the keys, hit the control key and the pause/break key at the same time to exit the testing program.
- Put working PS2 connector keyboards in the box provided. When this box is full, count all the keyboards in it, label it "(#) Working Keyboards" close up the box and ask where it goes. Put clean, working USB keyboards in the store box.
- Plug in a new keyboard and start all over!
NOTE: The keyboard testing computer needs to have a keyboard connected while booting.
TO RECYCLE A KEYBOARD
- When you have determined that a keyboard does not work, cut off the cord. Put the cord in the metal shopping cart in the main receiving room. Put keyboards in the Gaylord on the sidewalk.
Notes from Free Geek Vancouver
The Finer Points of Keyboard Sorting
An alternate test
If the keyboard tester is flaky or otherwise unavailable, the program "xev" will create a little window for logging x events, including keyboard presses.