SerialKeys: Use an Alternative Input Device Instead of a Keyboard or Mouse

SerialKeys is an accessibility feature designed for people who have difficulty using the computer's standard keyboard or mouse. SerialKeys provides support so that alternative input devices, such as single switch or puff and sip devices can be plugged into the computer's serial port. This procedure tells you how to turn on SerialKeys through Accessibility Options in Control Panel.

Note  To use SerialKeys, Fast User Switching must be turned off (Fast User Switching is only available on Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional when it is not joined to a domain.)

Mouse actionsKeyboard actions
1 On the Start menu:
  • Select Control Panel
Display the Start menu by pressing CTRL+ESC (or the Windows logo key Windows logo key).
  • Select Control Panel by pressing C.
2 In Control Panel:
  • Be sure you are in Classic View (all Control Panel icons are showing).
  • If not, under Control Panel in the left pane, select Switch to Classic View.
  • Select Accessibility Options.
 In Control Panel:
  • Be sure you are in Classic View (all Control Panel icons are showing).
  • If not, under Control Panel in the left pane, select Switch to Classic View by pressing TAB.
  • Press ENTER.
  • Press the RIGHT ARROW key, and then the LEFT ARROW key to select Accessibility Options.
  • Press ENTER.
3 In the Accessibility Options dialog box:
  • Select the General tab.
 In the Accessibility Options dialog box:
  • Select the General tab by pressing CTRL+TAB.
4 On the General tab:
  • Select the Use SerialKeys check box.
 On the General tab:
  • Select the Use SerialKeys check box by pressing CTRL+TAB.
5 To select SerialKeys settings:
  • Select Settings.
 To select SerialKeys settings:
  • Select Settings by pressing E.
6 In the Setting for SerialKeys dialog box:
  • Select the options you want from the lists.
  • Select OK twice.
 In the Setting for SerialKeys dialog box:
  • Select Serial port by pressing S, and then pressing the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW keys.
  • Select Baud rate by pressing ALT+B, and then pressing the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW keys.
  • Press ENTER twice.
7 To close Control Panel:
  • Select the Close button.
 To close Control Panel:
  • Press ALT+F, C.

Control Panel: Accessibility Options: General tab: Use SerialKeys

Control Panel: Accessibility Options: General tab: Use SerialKeys