UK Us Keyboard problem

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Lightbulb

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Topic # 189132 17-Dec-2015 20:13

Just got a new laptop.

On setting up, I incorrectly set up a UK keyboard . I also set up my password using the # symbol, but unbeknown to me at the time this was the UK pound symbol.

I then realised that I had a UK keyboard and changed to US / NZ.

Then I rebooted but couldn't log back in. Reason is that my password is looking for a Uk pound symbol, but the keyboard now doesn't have this; only a # symbol.

Googling suggests that a pound symbol can be replicated by a ctrl alt 4, but the login screen doesn't recognise this.

Not sure what to do now as I am logged out.

Help (please) ......

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Reply # 1452608 17-Dec-2015 20:15

You should be able to bring up the virtual keyboard (it's an "accessability" thing), which should get you in.

I've had this happen to me a time or two...

EDIT: Just checked, on Win 10, click the icon next to the power symbol at the bottom right of the login screen. Should give you the option for "On Screen keyboard"

Lightbulb

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Reply # 1452620 17-Dec-2015 20:41

Thanks - Got the accessibility keyboard, but can't get the pound symbol. Ctrl alt 4 doesnt work either

shermanp

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Reply # 1452639 17-Dec-2015 20:59

Does the laptop have a physical or "virtual" (check if standard keys have number above them) number pad?

If so, hold "alt" and type "0163" to get the pound symbol. Note that this does NOT work using the numbers along the top of the keyboard

EDIT: if it's the "soft" or "virtual" numpad, then you will probably have to hold the Fn key as well to get the numbers.

Lightbulb

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Reply # 1452694 17-Dec-2015 21:42

Its a surface pro4 There are only numbers on the top; no number keyboard to the side. Fn key does not enable the 0163 in the password login box

struggling....

hyperman

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Reply # 1452696 17-Dec-2015 21:45

By any chance do you have a standard keyboard? even a w/less combo??

as long as it has the full keyboard then the "alt" trick will work

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richms

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Reply # 1452699 17-Dec-2015 21:52

Reminds me of that emoji keyboard problem that mac's had. Also why the forcing of "special" characters in passwords is a bad idea.

Richard rich.ms

shermanp

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Reply # 1452704 17-Dec-2015 22:02

I've been trying on my Surface Pro 3, and it seems it can't be done.

The standard on-screen keyboard (the one used when the type cover is detached) has the £ symbol in it.... greyed out!!! (at least on mine anyway)

As hyperman suggested, a full sized keyboard may be the way to go, if you have one handy. At least the SP4 has a full sized USB that you can plug a KB into.

shermanp

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Reply # 1452718 17-Dec-2015 22:26

The other option, if you chose to use a microsoft account (email address etc), is to reset your password online.

By the sounds of things though, you probably created a new local account?

Lightbulb

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Reply # 1452721 17-Dec-2015 22:31

thanks all, problem solved.

I connected a wireless keyboard as suggested and the alt0163 worked ok

really grateful for the help

shermanp

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Reply # 1452724 17-Dec-2015 22:35

You're welcome. That one is a real problem.

It's even worse, because NZ seems to get the EN-GB edition of Windows these days, rather than the EN-US, which means one has to be very careful to set the proper language during setup, or one can run into troubles like this.

richms

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Reply # 1452725 17-Dec-2015 22:36

Cant say I have ever had the problem with things getting the UK butchered keyboard other than on a raspberry pi image, which is because they are english.

Only places I have seen the problem is when old people install and choose the UK option because they "dont speak american" and are ignorant of what they are choosing.

Richard rich.ms

shermanp

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Reply # 1452731 17-Dec-2015 22:53

I've come had it happen to me a couple of times in Windows 10 where for whatever reason the login screen decides to default to EN-GB, and it's a real pain when it does.

Hammerer

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Reply # 1452733 17-Dec-2015 22:55

I've not seen the UK language or keyboard as defaults for well over a decade.

I never choose English (UK). Instead choose English (New Zealand) which uses the UK dictionary and defaults to the US keyboard for input. Thereby avoiding the OPs problem.

Rikkitic

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Reply # 1452737 17-Dec-2015 23:28

I have dealt with things like this in the past. One workaround is to get the missing character into a text file (with the rest of the password) in Notepad. The character can be generated using the methods above, copied from an ASCII table, or even copied from an on-line document (look for exchange rates or financial pages). Once the password is in the text document, copy and paste it into the form.

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evilengineer

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Reply # 1454179 21-Dec-2015 09:03

I recently purchased an end-of-line ex-display windows 2-in-1 that came with Windows 8.1 on board that required a "factory reset" on the windows install followed by the Win 10 upgrade.

Pretty sure on both Windows 8.1 and 10 that if you select New Zealand as your location during set up that it defaults to UK English with a US Keyboard.

UK English was introduced as a separate language with Windows 8.0.

And is a good thing as it allows us to have stuff like "colour" spelt properly in the OS. :)

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