How to Connect and Install a Computer Keyboard?

The wired keyboards used nowadays are linked to the computer using the USB interface. The older computers used the Personal System/2(PS/2), also called the mouse or keyboard port, to connect to the computer. Here the PS/2 is used as an intermediate in making a connection.

Wireless keyboards are connected to the computer with the help of Bluetooth, Radio Frequency (RF), and Infrared (IR).

When we examine the Microsoft’s standard keyboard, they consist of Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports on the computer. By this, the users can attach the keyboards to the computer using either PS/2 or USB cables.

The following discussion lets us know how to connect different keyboards to the computer. One thing the user should know is that disconnecting the keyboard from the computer also follows the same steps as connecting but reversely.

1. Linking a USB keyboard.
2. Linking a wireless keyboard.
3. Linking a PS/2 keyboard.
4. Download software and drivers.
5. Troubleshooting.

Linking a USB keyboard

The USB port is located on the front and back portion of the computer. Into that port, insert the USB plug of the keyboard. While connecting the keyboard to a computer or laptop using the USB port, cable the computer can either be turned on or off.

We can connect the keyboard to the laptop; this keyboard works as the second keyboard. It is connected by using the USB ports on the laptop's side.

If you connect the keyboard to the USB port, the computer can use the features, but some issues are popped when the computer does not have a Human Interface Device shorthanded as HID class devices.

Will a computer work without a keyboard?

The computer can work without the keyboard when we connect a keyboard externally using the USB drive and ports. Then the keyboard behaves as the second alternate keyboard. We can also use two keyboards simultaneously.

Can the keyboard have two USB cables?

Yes, some keyboards have two USB cables. Among them, one USB port is for keyboard connection, and the other is for connecting other USB devices. Only one port can be utilized when the user needs the keyboard without any other USB devices.

How to install and connect a Wireless Keyboard?

Installing the keyboard is easy and may take around 10 minutes. If you have some issues or problems with your hardware, it may take more time to solve them and install the keyboard.

The steps to install a wireless keyboard are as follows:

• Step 1: Remove the cover and open the keyboard. The box will contain a keyboard along with instructions given on a CD. If you have something missing, contact the manufacturer through customer care service.
• Step 2: As the keyboard is wireless, they have a battery to receive power for operating. In the battery slots of the keyboard, insert new batteries. When you turn the keyboard back, you can find a small switch that can either turn them on or off the keyboard.
• Step 3: Keep the keyboard in the right position so that the computer and keyboard take signals from each other, making communication between them possible.
  The gap between the keyboard and the computer must be nearly 20 cm which is equal to eight inches.
• Step 4: Install the software and connect the wireless keyboards. To know how to connect, use the CD which contains the instructions.
• Step 5: The wireless keyboards contain the signal receiver connected to the computer at the back or front. Now, connect the receiver to the computer using a USB plug present on the CPU. Then the computer will configure the hardware, and the keyboard starts operating by showing the message that the keyboard is ready to use.
• When the user connects the keyboard, the computer should detect the keyboard by itself. Else the user should understand that something went wrong.

Connecting through PS/2 only

This process should be used when the computer or PC does not support the HID class USBs. The keyboard connected through the PS/2 port cannot only use the USB ports on the keyboard.

• While looking at the back of the computer or computer’s CPU, you'll notice two PS/2 ports adjacent to each other. Verify, you are connecting the keyboard to the purple slot.

• When the PS/2 ports are not colored, the keyboard connection slot is towards the left edge. The keyboard connection slot may be any of the ports for vertical connections, which is based on the case and motherboard used. A small keyboard symbol at one of the ports connects the keyboard to that slot.

The above figure at the arrow mark in red shows that the left port is for the keyboard and the right port is for the mouse.

• The new computer which is manufactured at present does not have PS/2 ports. Suppose the user has a PS/2 keyboard, and if the computer does not have PS/2 ports, then the user should purchase a USB keyboard, or they should buy a PS/2 to USB converter.
• If the new computers do not have PS/2 ports, buy the PS/2 USB connector to connect the old keyboard to the new computers.
• When confusion is raised between the PS/2 ports of keyboards and mice, the PS/2 cable of the keyboard is thicker when compared to the PS/2 mouse cable.

Procedure to enable the keyboard

The power switch, which is used to turn on or off the keyboard's power, is at the base of the keyboard. Sometimes the computer needs to identify the keyboard, and then you should check once whether the keyboard power is in one state.

If the wireless keyboards are operating on the batteries, the user should make sure that the batteries are working and change them if their power is completed.

Will the laptop work with two keyboards?

Yes, the laptop works on two keyboards. It will operate well and good if we link a wired keyboard or wireless keyboard. The external keyboard we connect acts as a second keyboard on the laptop. Here, we can use both keyboards at the same time also.

Will all computers have a PS/2 port?

No, all computers do not have the PS/2 ports. In older versions of computers, the PS/2 port is present, but in modern computers and laptops, the PS/2 port is replaced by the USB ports.

If the user has an older computer or laptop with a PS/2 port and a PS/2 keyboard, then the user should buy the "PS/2 to USB adapter". This connector is useful in helping the older keyboards to interact and work with the new computers and laptops when connected between one USB and another PS/2 port.

Installing software and drivers

Some of the keyboards have special features such as a touchpad, buttons with special features, and wireless options. So, to operate that kind of keyboard, more sophisticated and compatible software must be installed in the system. Users may take the guidance of instructions given in the manufacturer's CD and the keyboard to install the software. Else the user can download them from the manufacturer’s website.

Troubleshooting

Can I connect my keyboard to the computer or monitor?

The monitors usually do not contain any ports for connecting the keyboard. Hence the keyboards are mostly connected to the computer.

But when the monitor has USB ports on it, and the USB cable is connected to the computer, it can connect the keyboard to the monitor.

When coming to the All-in-One computer, they can connect the keyboard to the device, which is commonly mistaken as the keyboard is connected to the monitor.

Can we connect any keyboard to the computer?

Keyboard USB cables are the same, and they can be connected to all kinds of desktops, computers, and laptops using USB ports.

The keyboard starts working from the moment we connect it to the computer. At the same time, some keyboards with special keys and buttons will only work when compatible software is installed on the computers. But if the computer's hardware or software is unsuitable with the special keyboards, then the user may use the normal features of the keyboard. When even a single key does not work on the keyboard, then troubleshooting the keyboard is the best option.

Can I plug my PC keyboard into my Apple computer?

Yes, it is possible to connect the PC keyboard to the apple computer. If we do so, the Apple operating system(macOS) will alter the modifier keys to work according to that system's OS.

One problem we have when we connect the PC keyboard to the Apple computer is that the shortcut keys of Microsoft windows need to be fixed with macOS. The special keys of the keyboards also do not work and operate in the macOS.

How to reinstall a keyboard?

When the computer does not detect the keyboard, try to remove the keyboard connector from the system and again connect the keyboard using the cable. Even then, if the keyboard does not work, then reset the keyboard. As the keyboard operates without the special requirement of software installation, therefore there is nothing that we should install and reinstall on the computer.