Keyb.com and Jkeyb.sys Detect Non-US Enhanced Keyboards as AT Style Keyboards (319571)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q319571

SYMPTOMS

The Keyb.com and Jkeyb.sys files may improperly detect non-US enhanced keyboards. When this problem occurs, the keyboard is typically mis-detected as an 84-key AT-type keyboard. Because of this, a number of extended keys and special characters may not be mapped correctly, and may not appear correctly in documents when you try to type them. This incorrect detection may occur even if you use the /E switch (or the /106 switch for Japanese computers) to bypass the detection process and force the keyboard you want to use to load.

CAUSE

This problem is caused by a timing issue that occurs during the detection of the keyboard type. This timing issue prevents the keyboard type from being correctly detected.

Additionally, the documented command-line switches to allow the correct keyboard type to be specified and override detection do not work as documented.

RESOLUTION

Non-Japanese Language Versions

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

NOTE: The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 
   Date         Time   Size    File name  Operating system
   ----------------------------------------------------------------
   10-Apr-2002  22:42  19,943  Keyb.com   Windows 98 Second Edition
When you are using this fix, make sure that the Autoexec.bat file contains the following entry. This example is for a French Windows 98 Second Edition-based computer:

Keyb.com /E fr,,keyboard.sys

The /E switch bypasses keyboard-type detection and forces the keyboard to be recognized as an Enhanced (101-key) keyboard. With this hotfix installed, this switch works correctly.

Japanese-Language Version

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The Japanese version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 
   Date         Time   Size    File name  Operating system
   ----------------------------------------------------------------
   05-Jun-2002  18:36  22,455  Jkeyb.sys  Windows 98 Second Edition
When you are using this fix, make sure that the Config.sys file contains the following entry:

devicehigh=c:\windows\jkeyb.sys /106 c:\windows\jkeybrd.sys

The /106 switch bypasses keyboard-type detection and forces the keyboard to be recognized as a Japanese enhanced 106-key keyboard. Note that you must use the /101 switch instead of the /106 switch when you are not using an enhanced keyboard type other than the Japanese enhanced 106-key keyboard. With this hotfix installed, this switch works correctly.


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition hotfixes, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

206071 General Information About Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition Hotfixes

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/18/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbenv kbfix kbprb kbQFE kbui KB319571
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