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Keybd has no Break/Pause ... how do I work around?

Anonymous
2010-11-25T03:39:38+00:00

I have a Studio xps 16. It is

missing a number of keys found on other Dell keyboards such as Pause, Break, ScrollLock,

Numlock etc.

I am doing some software development on it and need to have a CTRL-Break combination to break into running code, e.g. infinite loop in Access 2010 VBA. On my

Latitude the fn+Pause keys were the Break key so to get ctrl-Break I did CTRL+FN+PAUSE.

There apparently is a registry entry that can be set to do scancode mappings

   Computer\HKEY_LOCALMACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout\Scancode Map

but

• The Pause/Break key cannot be remapped. This special key generates a 3-byte

scancode, but the Scancode Map registry entry only allows for the remapping of

2-byte scancodes.

I called Dell Tech Support and they said to buy and attach an external keyboard ( !?!? ).

I'd rather not install a third-party keyboard mapper if at all possible.

Is there a solution?

Daniel

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-11-25T15:06:04+00:00

    Thanks ... starting osk.exe and then holding down the CTRL and Fn keys and clicking PAUSE on the on the On-Screen Keyboard did the trick.

    Daniel

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-12-15T17:35:56+00:00

    CTRL + FN + B works as Break on my Dell Latitude e7450 and e7250.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-11-25T09:20:05+00:00

    Daniel,

    Click on start.

    type

    osk

    hit enter. This should bring up your on screen keyboard. You can see the buttons you need from that.

    Rick

    With Windows 7, I found that installing the Vista software/drivers in the compatibility mode works well. PLEASE help others by letting us know if something fixes your issue. Click Vote As Helpful on the left for those whom helped. If you are happy then please mark the thread closed when you’re done...

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-09-11T00:46:27+00:00

    Confirmed that the keys for Ctrl+Break on a Dell XPS13 are ctrl+fn+b

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-11-25T05:11:47+00:00

    Hi,

    Possibly the on-screen keyboard can help.

    Windows 7 On-Screen Keyboard

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Type-without-using-the-keyboard-On-Screen-Keyboard

    How to Create a On-Screen Keyboard Shortcut in Windows 7

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/111812-screen-keyboard-shortcut-create.html

    =======================================

    Check for solutions with the Experts at MSDN. Check in the forum for the developement method

    you are using.

    MSDN - Forums

    http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/categories/

    MSDN - Where is the Forum For…?

    http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/whatforum/threads

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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