How to emulate the Microsoft keyboard or the IBM-type keyboard INSERT key on an iMac, Macintosh PowerBook, or iBook keyboard when you are running MS-DOS-based or Windows-based programs in Virtual PC for Mac (825341)

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iMac keyboard

On the iMac keyboard, the HELP key is the equivalent of the INS key on the Apple Extended Keyboard. Pressing HELP emulates the insert function for MS-DOS-based programs or for Windows-based programs that are running in Virtual PC for Mac.

PowerBook or iBook keyboard

On these keyboards, you can press SHIFT+FN+M to emulate the INS key in MS-DOS-based programs or in Windows-based programs. You may or may not have to press SHIFT, depending on what you have selected in the Keyboard options for these Macintosh computers.

Alternative keyboards

You can use a universal serial bus (USB) keyboard that includes the additional keys. Additionally, you can use a docking station with your PowerBook or iBook to provide access to an appropriate keyboard.

Use AppleScript

You can also create an AppleScript script that emulates the pressing of the INSERT key. Follow these steps to create the script.

Note By default, the Scripts menu is turned off in Virtual PC for Mac. To turn on the Scripts menu, click Preferences on the Virtual PC menu. Click Scripting, and then click to select the Show Scripts Menu check box.

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements.

1. On the Scripts menu, click Open Scripts Editor.
2. In the Description box, type Insert key script.
3. Type the following AppleScript script in the editing window:

   tell application "Virtual PC"
      set virtualMachine to every virtual machine whose frontmost is true 
      press Help key cap of keyboard of virtualMachine 
   end tell

4. Click Check Syntax.
5. In the Where is Virtual PC? list, click Virtual PC #, and then click Choose, where # is the version number (either 5 or 6).
6. On the File menu, click Save.
7. Name the script Insert Key, and save the script to the Virtual PC Scripts folder in the Documents folder.

To run the script, click Scripts, and then click Insert Key.