Keyboard shortcuts for foreign language characters

I do a lot of writing in French (and a few other foreign languages) and
sometimes mix French words into otherwise English text (and vice versa). I
all previous versions of Windows prior to XP I have been able to insert the
accented letters needed to write in French (and other special characters) by
using an ALT+(number on numberpad) code. For example, to enter an "a" with
an accent grave I would simply hold down ALT and enter the number 133 on the
key pad. This was a very convenient way to insert the letters needed to
write French words and I used them so much that I could almost (but not
quite) do it while touch typing. When I started using XP (about a year ago)
I found that most of the ALT codes which I used did other strange things
instead. I have had to resort to using the character map to enter accented
letters which is very slow.

I read an article in Maximum PC sometime ago which I believe addressed this
problem, but I did not act at the time and have since lost the article. I
believe it said that there was a way to disable some (or all) of the keyboard
shortcuts that XP installs automatically, thus allowing the old ALT codes for
foreign characters to work again.

A few codes still work, like "é" wich is ALT + 130(on the number pad) ...
most, however, do not.

Can anyone help me? I would DEEPLY appreciate being able to fix this problem.

Thanks a lot (merci beaucoup)
--
Charles

It is not exactly what you are looking for but check out
http://allchars.zwolnet.com/index.html
and look for AllChar.
A minor part of the webpage text is in dutch but the tool is great.
It emulates *nix Compose key in windows.
It's freeware.
I have it in my startup routine and it sits right under the (left) Ctrl key
waiting for you.
The notification area has a little icon to access all it's functions.
To type any 'compposite' character just hit Ctrl first and then two
consecutive normal keys making up the 'composite.
eg.
To type
Copyright you would hit Ctrl - o - c ©
Registered Ctrl - o - r ®
something accented Ctrl - ` - a (à) or Ctrl - ' - e (é)
Check it out, you'll love it, it is dead-easy to get used to.
Thank the guy (not me) for producing it.

hth

george


"Charles" wrote in message
...
I do a lot of writing in French (and a few other foreign languages) and
sometimes mix French words into otherwise English text (and vice versa).
I
all previous versions of Windows prior to XP I have been able to insert
the
accented letters needed to write in French (and other special characters)
by
using an ALT+(number on numberpad) code. For example, to enter an "a"
with
an accent grave I would simply hold down ALT and enter the number 133 on
the
key pad. This was a very convenient way to insert the letters needed to
write French words and I used them so much that I could almost (but not
quite) do it while touch typing. When I started using XP (about a year
ago)
I found that most of the ALT codes which I used did other strange things
instead. I have had to resort to using the character map to enter
accented
letters which is very slow.

I read an article in Maximum PC sometime ago which I believe addressed
this
problem, but I did not act at the time and have since lost the article. I
believe it said that there was a way to disable some (or all) of the
keyboard
shortcuts that XP installs automatically, thus allowing the old ALT codes
for
foreign characters to work again.

A few codes still work, like "é" wich is ALT + 130(on the number pad) ...
most, however, do not.

Can anyone help me? I would DEEPLY appreciate being able to fix this
problem.

Thanks a lot (merci beaucoup)
--
Charles

Thank you very much George. I will get the software you recommd (fortunately
I speak a little Dutch ... een klein beetje.) I am still trying to get the
answer to my orginial question, though. Some of the Microsoft built0in short
cuts are useful, of course, and have been present since the first versions of
Windows. But some of the new ones in XP are, to me at least, useless and
often just a confusing hindrance.

I hope there is a way to deactivate at least some of the built-in short
cuts. I suspect there is but that it is just "cleverly" hidden away in some
arcane ini file or some such thing.

Thanks again,

Charles

"george" wrote:

It is not exactly what you are looking for but check out
http://allchars.zwolnet.com/index.html
and look for AllChar.
A minor part of the webpage text is in dutch but the tool is great.
It emulates *nix Compose key in windows.
It's freeware.
I have it in my startup routine and it sits right under the (left) Ctrl key
waiting for you.
The notification area has a little icon to access all it's functions.
To type any 'compposite' character just hit Ctrl first and then two
consecutive normal keys making up the 'composite.
eg.
To type
Copyright you would hit Ctrl - o - c ©
Registered Ctrl - o - r ®
something accented Ctrl - ` - a (Ã*) or Ctrl - ' - e (é)
Check it out, you'll love it, it is dead-easy to get used to.
Thank the guy (not me) for producing it.

hth

george


"Charles" wrote in message
...
I do a lot of writing in French (and a few other foreign languages) and
sometimes mix French words into otherwise English text (and vice versa).
I
all previous versions of Windows prior to XP I have been able to insert
the
accented letters needed to write in French (and other special characters)
by
using an ALT+(number on numberpad) code. For example, to enter an "a"
with
an accent grave I would simply hold down ALT and enter the number 133 on
the
key pad. This was a very convenient way to insert the letters needed to
write French words and I used them so much that I could almost (but not
quite) do it while touch typing. When I started using XP (about a year
ago)
I found that most of the ALT codes which I used did other strange things
instead. I have had to resort to using the character map to enter
accented
letters which is very slow.

I read an article in Maximum PC sometime ago which I believe addressed
this
problem, but I did not act at the time and have since lost the article. I
believe it said that there was a way to disable some (or all) of the
keyboard
shortcuts that XP installs automatically, thus allowing the old ALT codes
for
foreign characters to work again.

A few codes still work, like "é" wich is ALT + 130(on the number pad) ...
most, however, do not.

Can anyone help me? I would DEEPLY appreciate being able to fix this
problem.

Thanks a lot (merci beaucoup)
--
Charles

But there are two Alt + Num
Alt + 133 gives =C3=A0 (a accented) or so does Alt + 0224 (=C3=A0)
Alt + 0133 gives =E2=80=A6 (epilisis)

Character map tells you what to enter in the long format.

The difference isn't the number of digits but the leading 0. Numbers =
under 99 are the same in both schemes (065 and 0065 are both A).=20
--=20
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.uscricket.com
"Charles" wrote in message =
...
Thank you very much George. I will get the software you recommd =
(fortunately=20
I speak a little Dutch ... een klein beetje.) I am still trying to =
get the=20
answer to my orginial question, though. Some of the Microsoft =
built0in short=20
cuts are useful, of course, and have been present since the first =
versions of=20
Windows. But some of the new ones in XP are, to me at least, useless =
and=20
often just a confusing hindrance.
=20
I hope there is a way to deactivate at least some of the built-in =
short=20
cuts. I suspect there is but that it is just "cleverly" hidden away =
in some=20
arcane ini file or some such thing.
=20
Thanks again,
=20
Charles
=20
"george" wrote:
=20
It is not exactly what you are looking for but check out=20
http://allchars.zwolnet.com/index.html
and look for AllChar.
A minor part of the webpage text is in dutch but the tool is great.
It emulates *nix Compose key in windows.
It's freeware.
I have it in my startup routine and it sits right under the (left) =
Ctrl key=20
waiting for you.
The notification area has a little icon to access all it's functions.
To type any 'compposite' character just hit Ctrl first and then two=20
consecutive normal keys making up the 'composite.
eg.
To type
Copyright you would hit Ctrl - o - c =C2=A9
Registered Ctrl - o - r =C2=AE
something accented Ctrl - ` - a (=C3=A0) or Ctrl - ' - e (=C3=A9)
Check it out, you'll love it, it is dead-easy to get used to.
Thank the guy (not me) for producing it.
=20
hth
=20
george
=20
=20
"Charles" wrote in message=20
...
I do a lot of writing in French (and a few other foreign languages) =
and
sometimes mix French words into otherwise English text (and vice =
versa).=20
I
all previous versions of Windows prior to XP I have been able to =
insert=20
the
accented letters needed to write in French (and other special =
characters)=20
by
using an ALT+(number on numberpad) code. For example, to enter an =
"a"=20
with
an accent grave I would simply hold down ALT and enter the number =
133 on=20
the
key pad. This was a very convenient way to insert the letters =
needed to
write French words and I used them so much that I could almost (but =
not
quite) do it while touch typing. When I started using XP (about a =
year=20
ago)
I found that most of the ALT codes which I used did other strange =
things
instead. I have had to resort to using the character map to enter=20
accented
letters which is very slow.

I read an article in Maximum PC sometime ago which I believe =
addressed=20
this
problem, but I did not act at the time and have since lost the =
article. I
believe it said that there was a way to disable some (or all) of =
the=20
keyboard
shortcuts that XP installs automatically, thus allowing the old ALT =
codes=20
for
foreign characters to work again.

A few codes still work, like "=C3=A9" wich is ALT + 130(on the =
number pad) ...
most, however, do not.

Can anyone help me? I would DEEPLY appreciate being able to fix =
this=20
problem.

Thanks a lot (merci beaucoup)
--=20
Charles=20
=20
=20

But the numbers I gave are Unicode. If you use ANSI it is Alt + 0192

--=20
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.uscricket.com
"Charles" wrote in message =
...
Thank you very much George. I will get the software you recommd =
(fortunately=20
I speak a little Dutch ... een klein beetje.) I am still trying to =
get the=20
answer to my orginial question, though. Some of the Microsoft =
built0in short=20
cuts are useful, of course, and have been present since the first =
versions of=20
Windows. But some of the new ones in XP are, to me at least, useless =
and=20
often just a confusing hindrance.
=20
I hope there is a way to deactivate at least some of the built-in =
short=20
cuts. I suspect there is but that it is just "cleverly" hidden away =
in some=20
arcane ini file or some such thing.
=20
Thanks again,
=20
Charles
=20
"george" wrote:
=20
It is not exactly what you are looking for but check out=20
http://allchars.zwolnet.com/index.html
and look for AllChar.
A minor part of the webpage text is in dutch but the tool is great.
It emulates *nix Compose key in windows.
It's freeware.
I have it in my startup routine and it sits right under the (left) =
Ctrl key=20
waiting for you.
The notification area has a little icon to access all it's functions.
To type any 'compposite' character just hit Ctrl first and then two=20
consecutive normal keys making up the 'composite.
eg.
To type
Copyright you would hit Ctrl - o - c =C2=A9
Registered Ctrl - o - r =C2=AE
something accented Ctrl - ` - a (=C3=A0) or Ctrl - ' - e (=C3=A9)
Check it out, you'll love it, it is dead-easy to get used to.
Thank the guy (not me) for producing it.
=20
hth
=20
george
=20
=20
"Charles" wrote in message=20
...
I do a lot of writing in French (and a few other foreign languages) =
and
sometimes mix French words into otherwise English text (and vice =
versa).=20
I
all previous versions of Windows prior to XP I have been able to =
insert=20
the
accented letters needed to write in French (and other special =
characters)=20
by
using an ALT+(number on numberpad) code. For example, to enter an =
"a"=20
with
an accent grave I would simply hold down ALT and enter the number =
133 on=20
the
key pad. This was a very convenient way to insert the letters =
needed to
write French words and I used them so much that I could almost (but =
not
quite) do it while touch typing. When I started using XP (about a =
year=20
ago)
I found that most of the ALT codes which I used did other strange =
things
instead. I have had to resort to using the character map to enter=20
accented
letters which is very slow.

I read an article in Maximum PC sometime ago which I believe =
addressed=20
this
problem, but I did not act at the time and have since lost the =
article. I
believe it said that there was a way to disable some (or all) of =
the=20
keyboard
shortcuts that XP installs automatically, thus allowing the old ALT =
codes=20
for
foreign characters to work again.

A few codes still work, like "=C3=A9" wich is ALT + 130(on the =
number pad) ...
most, however, do not.

Can anyone help me? I would DEEPLY appreciate being able to fix =
this=20
problem.

Thanks a lot (merci beaucoup)
--=20
Charles=20
=20
=20

The problem I am having is that, instead of simply producing a character in
whatever body of text I happen to be writing (be it in a word processor, an
e-mail program, or whtever) something completely unrelated happens -- like
jumping to the last e-mail I read, or skipping to another mailbox, or jumping
to the bottom of the text. I have not catalogued all the precise problems
but they happen for most of the ALT codes that worked fine in all previous
versions of Windows but do not work in Windows XP. The codes I used to use
were both 3 and 4 digit codes, ranging from ALT+0193 which produced a capital
A-accent-grave to ALT+159 which produced the old German form of an "s" which
looks like an itallic "f"

I gather that some of these codes are unicode, but that is not the problem.
The problem is that the very same codes that used to work in ALL versions of
Windows before XP (and I think I have used or tried them all over the years)
do other things in XP. My conclusion is that Windows XP expropriates some of
these codes to do all the wonderful things that it does with keyboard
short-cuts. All I really want to do is to disable some of the Windows XP
defaults and be able to use the character codes that have been standard for
years.

Thanks for the insights, but I'm still searching for an answer.

Charles



"David Candy" wrote:

But the numbers I gave are Unicode. If you use ANSI it is Alt + 0192

--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.uscricket.com
"Charles" wrote in message ...
Thank you very much George. I will get the software you recommd (fortunately
I speak a little Dutch ... een klein beetje.) I am still trying to get the
answer to my orginial question, though. Some of the Microsoft built0in short
cuts are useful, of course, and have been present since the first versions of
Windows. But some of the new ones in XP are, to me at least, useless and
often just a confusing hindrance.

I hope there is a way to deactivate at least some of the built-in short
cuts. I suspect there is but that it is just "cleverly" hidden away in some
arcane ini file or some such thing.

Thanks again,

Charles

"george" wrote:

It is not exactly what you are looking for but check out
http://allchars.zwolnet.com/index.html
and look for AllChar.
A minor part of the webpage text is in dutch but the tool is great.
It emulates *nix Compose key in windows.
It's freeware.
I have it in my startup routine and it sits right under the (left) Ctrl key
waiting for you.
The notification area has a little icon to access all it's functions.
To type any 'compposite' character just hit Ctrl first and then two
consecutive normal keys making up the 'composite.
eg.
To type
Copyright you would hit Ctrl - o - c ©
Registered Ctrl - o - r ®
something accented Ctrl - ` - a (Ã*) or Ctrl - ' - e (é)
Check it out, you'll love it, it is dead-easy to get used to.
Thank the guy (not me) for producing it.

hth

george


"Charles" wrote in message
...
I do a lot of writing in French (and a few other foreign languages) and
sometimes mix French words into otherwise English text (and vice versa).
I
all previous versions of Windows prior to XP I have been able to insert
the
accented letters needed to write in French (and other special characters)
by
using an ALT+(number on numberpad) code. For example, to enter an "a"
with
an accent grave I would simply hold down ALT and enter the number 133 on
the
key pad. This was a very convenient way to insert the letters needed to
write French words and I used them so much that I could almost (but not
quite) do it while touch typing. When I started using XP (about a year
ago)
I found that most of the ALT codes which I used did other strange things
instead. I have had to resort to using the character map to enter
accented
letters which is very slow.

I read an article in Maximum PC sometime ago which I believe addressed
this
problem, but I did not act at the time and have since lost the article. I
believe it said that there was a way to disable some (or all) of the
keyboard
shortcuts that XP installs automatically, thus allowing the old ALT codes
for
foreign characters to work again.

A few codes still work, like "é" wich is ALT + 130(on the number pad) ...
most, however, do not.

Can anyone help me? I would DEEPLY appreciate being able to fix this
problem.

Thanks a lot (merci beaucoup)
--
Charles

In that case press the numlock key first. You are sending Alt + Home =
etc.


--=20
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.uscricket.com
"Charles" wrote in message =
...
The problem I am having is that, instead of simply producing a =
character in=20
whatever body of text I happen to be writing (be it in a word =
processor, an=20
e-mail program, or whtever) something completely unrelated happens -- =
like=20
jumping to the last e-mail I read, or skipping to another mailbox, or =
jumping=20
to the bottom of the text. I have not catalogued all the precise =
problems=20
but they happen for most of the ALT codes that worked fine in all =
previous=20
versions of Windows but do not work in Windows XP. The codes I used =
to use=20
were both 3 and 4 digit codes, ranging from ALT+0193 which produced a =
capital=20
A-accent-grave to ALT+159 which produced the old German form of an "s" =
which=20
looks like an itallic "f"
=20
I gather that some of these codes are unicode, but that is not the =
problem. =20
The problem is that the very same codes that used to work in ALL =
versions of=20
Windows before XP (and I think I have used or tried them all over the =
years)=20
do other things in XP. My conclusion is that Windows XP expropriates =
some of=20
these codes to do all the wonderful things that it does with keyboard=20
short-cuts. All I really want to do is to disable some of the Windows =
XP=20
defaults and be able to use the character codes that have been =
standard for=20
years.
=20
Thanks for the insights, but I'm still searching for an answer.
=20
Charles
=20
=20
=20
"David Candy" wrote:
=20
But the numbers I gave are Unicode. If you use ANSI it is Alt + 0192
=20
--=20
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.uscricket.com
"Charles" wrote in message =
...
Thank you very much George. I will get the software you recommd =
(fortunately=20
I speak a little Dutch ... een klein beetje.) I am still trying to =
get the=20
answer to my orginial question, though. Some of the Microsoft =
built0in short=20
cuts are useful, of course, and have been present since the first =
versions of=20
Windows. But some of the new ones in XP are, to me at least, =
useless and=20
often just a confusing hindrance.
=20
I hope there is a way to deactivate at least some of the built-in =
short=20
cuts. I suspect there is but that it is just "cleverly" hidden =
away in some=20
arcane ini file or some such thing.
=20
Thanks again,
=20
Charles
=20
"george" wrote:
=20
It is not exactly what you are looking for but check out=20
http://allchars.zwolnet.com/index.html
and look for AllChar.
A minor part of the webpage text is in dutch but the tool is =
great.
It emulates *nix Compose key in windows.
It's freeware.
I have it in my startup routine and it sits right under the (left) =
Ctrl key=20
waiting for you.
The notification area has a little icon to access all it's =
functions.
To type any 'compposite' character just hit Ctrl first and then =
two=20
consecutive normal keys making up the 'composite.
eg.
To type
Copyright you would hit Ctrl - o - c =C2=A9
Registered Ctrl - o - r =C2=AE
something accented Ctrl - ` - a (=C3=A0) or Ctrl - ' - e (=C3=A9)
Check it out, you'll love it, it is dead-easy to get used to.
Thank the guy (not me) for producing it.
=20
hth
=20
george
=20
=20
"Charles" wrote in message=20
...
I do a lot of writing in French (and a few other foreign =
languages) and
sometimes mix French words into otherwise English text (and vice =
versa).=20
I
all previous versions of Windows prior to XP I have been able to =
insert=20
the
accented letters needed to write in French (and other special =
characters)=20
by
using an ALT+(number on numberpad) code. For example, to enter =
an "a"=20
with
an accent grave I would simply hold down ALT and enter the =
number 133 on=20
the
key pad. This was a very convenient way to insert the letters =
needed to
write French words and I used them so much that I could almost =
(but not
quite) do it while touch typing. When I started using XP (about =
a year=20
ago)
I found that most of the ALT codes which I used did other =
strange things
instead. I have had to resort to using the character map to =
enter=20
accented
letters which is very slow.

I read an article in Maximum PC sometime ago which I believe =
addressed=20
this
problem, but I did not act at the time and have since lost the =
article. I
believe it said that there was a way to disable some (or all) of =
the=20
keyboard
shortcuts that XP installs automatically, thus allowing the old =
ALT codes=20
for
foreign characters to work again.

A few codes still work, like "=C3=A9" wich is ALT + 130(on the =
number pad) ...
most, however, do not.

Can anyone help me? I would DEEPLY appreciate being able to fix =
this=20
problem.

Thanks a lot (merci beaucoup)
--=20
Charles=20
=20
=20

If you set the keyboard to US International then

`A will give you =C3=A0 (except for accent grave but the others work). =
Acctually there doesn't seem to be accent grave A at all in the =
international keyboard.

=20
Contact Us=20

=C2=A9 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of use =
Privacy Accessibility=20
=20

-- =20
How To Use the United States-International Keyboard Layout in Windows XP
Applies To=20
This article was previously published under Q306560=20
=20
IN THIS TASK
SUMMARY=20
How to Use the United States-International Keyboard=20
Adding the United States-International Keyboard Layout=20
Creating Extended Characters=20
Creating International Characters
How to Use StickyKeys
=20
SUMMARY
This step-by-step guide describes how to use the United =
States-International keyboard layout in Windows XP.

With the United States-International layout, you can type international =
and special characters by using combinations of keys.

back to the top=20
How to Use the United States-International Keyboard
=20
Adding the United States-International Keyboard Layout
To add the United States-International keyboard layout, follow these =
steps:=20
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.=20
2. Under Pick a category, click Date, Time, Language, and Regional =
Options.=20
3. Under or pick a Control Panel icon, click Regional and Language =
Options.

The Regional and Language Options dialog box appears.=20
4. On the Languages tab, click Details.

The Text Services and Input Languages dialog box appears.=20
5. Under Installed services, click Add.

The Add Input language dialog box appears.=20
6. In the Input language list, click the language that you want. =
For example, English (United States).

NOTE: When you use the United States-International keyboard layout, you =
should also use an English language setting.=20
7. In the Keyboard layout/IME list, click United =
States-International, and then click OK.=20
8. In the Select one of the installed input languages to use when =
you start your computer list, click Language name - United =
States-International (where Language name is the language that you =
selected in step 6), and then click OK.=20
9. In the Regional and Language Options dialog box, click OK.

Notice that the Language bar appears on the taskbar. When you position =
the mouse pointer over it, a ToolTip appears that describes the active =
keyboard layout. For example, United States-International.=20
10. Click the Language bar, and then click United States-International =
on the shortcut menu that appears.

The United States-International keyboard layout is selected.

back to the top=20
Creating Extended Characters
The United States-International keyboard layout assigns new functions to =
the right ALT key (the ALT key on the right side of the keyboard). Use =
the right ALT key in combination with other keys to create extended =
characters.=20

The following table illustrates characters that you can create by using =
the combination of the right ALT key plus another key, as well as those =
that you can create by using the right ALT key plus the SHIFT key plus =
another key:


Key on United States keyboard Character Made with Right ALT+Key =
SHIFT+Right ALT+Key=20
1i=C2=B9
2=C2=B2N/A
3=C2=B3N/A
4=C2=A4=C2=A3
5=E2=82=ACN/A
61/4N/A
71/2N/A
83/4N/A
9'N/A
0'N/A
-=C2=A5N/A
=3D=C3=97=C3=B7
Q=C3=A4=C3=84
W=C3=A5=C3=85
E=C3=A9=C3=89
R(r)N/A
T=C3=BE=C3=9E
Y=C3=BC=C3=9C
U=C3=BA=C3=9A
I=C3=AD=C3=8D
O=C3=B3=C3=93
P=C3=B6=C3=96
[N/A
]N/A
\Not Sign=C2=A6
A=C3=A1=C3=81
S=C3=9F=C2=A7
D=C3=B0=C3=90
L=C3=B8=C3=98
;Pilcrow Sign=C2=B0
'=C2=B4=C2=A8
Z=C3=A6=C3=86
C(c)=C2=A2
N=C3=B1=C3=91
M=C2=B5N/A
,=C3=A7=C3=87
/=C2=BFN/A
TABLE This table is a list of extended characters that cannot be =
displayed.
back to the top=20
Creating International Characters
When you press the APOSTROPHE (') key, QUOTATION MARK (") key, ACCENT =
GRAVE (`) key, TILDE (~) key, ACCENT CIRCUMFLEX key, or CARET (^) key, =
nothing appears on the screen until you press a second key. If you press =
one of the letters designated as eligible to receive an accent mark, the =
accented version of the letter appears. If you press the key of a =
character that is not eligible to receive an accent mark, two separate =
characters appear.=20

In other words, when you use the US-International keyboard layout, =
Windows automatically accents letters that customarily receive an accent =
but does not automatically accent letters that do not customarily =
receive an accent.

The following table illustrates the accented characters that you can =
create:


Press this keyThen press this keyResultant character
' (APOSTROPHE)C=C3=87
'(APOSTROPHE)e, y, u, i, o, a=C3=A9, =C3=BD, =C3=BA, =C3=AD, =C3=B3, =
=C3=A1
"(QUOTATION MARK)e, u, i, o, a=C3=AB, =C3=BC, =C3=AF, =C3=B6, =C3=A4
`(ACCENT GRAVE)e, u, i, o=C3=A8, =C3=B9, =C3=AC, =C3=B2
~(TILDE)o, n=C3=B5, =C3=B1
^(CARET)e, u, i, o, a=C3=AA, =C3=BB, =C3=AE, =C3=B4, =C3=A2
This table contains accented characters that cannot be displayed.
back to the top=20
How to Use StickyKeys
Key combinations require you to press and hold down two or more keys at =
once. Single-handed typists or users who use a mouth-stick have =
difficulty doing this. StickyKeys enables you to press a modifier key =
(CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key, and have it remain =
active until another key is pressed.

To turn on StickyKeys, follow these steps:=20
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.=20
2. Under Pick a category, click Accessibility Options.=20
3. Under or pick a Control Panel icon, click Accessibility Options.

The Accessibility Options dialog box appears.=20
4. On the Keyboard tab, click to select the Use StickyKeys check =
box, and then click OK.
back to the top=20



The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional=20
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition=20
Last Reviewed:7/15/2004 (1.2) =20
Keywords:kbhowto kbHOWTOmaster KB306560 kbAudITPro
=20

----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.uscricket.com
"Charles" wrote in message =
...
The problem I am having is that, instead of simply producing a =
character in=20
whatever body of text I happen to be writing (be it in a word =
processor, an=20
e-mail program, or whtever) something completely unrelated happens -- =
like=20
jumping to the last e-mail I read, or skipping to another mailbox, or =
jumping=20
to the bottom of the text. I have not catalogued all the precise =
problems=20
but they happen for most of the ALT codes that worked fine in all =
previous=20
versions of Windows but do not work in Windows XP. The codes I used =
to use=20
were both 3 and 4 digit codes, ranging from ALT+0193 which produced a =
capital=20
A-accent-grave to ALT+159 which produced the old German form of an "s" =
which=20
looks like an itallic "f"
=20
I gather that some of these codes are unicode, but that is not the =
problem. =20
The problem is that the very same codes that used to work in ALL =
versions of=20
Windows before XP (and I think I have used or tried them all over the =
years)=20
do other things in XP. My conclusion is that Windows XP expropriates =
some of=20
these codes to do all the wonderful things that it does with keyboard=20
short-cuts. All I really want to do is to disable some of the Windows =
XP=20
defaults and be able to use the character codes that have been =
standard for=20
years.
=20
Thanks for the insights, but I'm still searching for an answer.
=20
Charles
=20
=20
=20
"David Candy" wrote:
=20
But the numbers I gave are Unicode. If you use ANSI it is Alt + 0192
=20
--=20
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.uscricket.com
"Charles" wrote in message =
...
Thank you very much George. I will get the software you recommd =
(fortunately=20
I speak a little Dutch ... een klein beetje.) I am still trying to =
get the=20
answer to my orginial question, though. Some of the Microsoft =
built0in short=20
cuts are useful, of course, and have been present since the first =
versions of=20
Windows. But some of the new ones in XP are, to me at least, =
useless and=20
often just a confusing hindrance.
=20
I hope there is a way to deactivate at least some of the built-in =
short=20
cuts. I suspect there is but that it is just "cleverly" hidden =
away in some=20
arcane ini file or some such thing.
=20
Thanks again,
=20
Charles
=20
"george" wrote:
=20
It is not exactly what you are looking for but check out=20
http://allchars.zwolnet.com/index.html
and look for AllChar.
A minor part of the webpage text is in dutch but the tool is =
great.
It emulates *nix Compose key in windows.
It's freeware.
I have it in my startup routine and it sits right under the (left) =
Ctrl key=20
waiting for you.
The notification area has a little icon to access all it's =
functions.
To type any 'compposite' character just hit Ctrl first and then =
two=20
consecutive normal keys making up the 'composite.
eg.
To type
Copyright you would hit Ctrl - o - c =C2=A9
Registered Ctrl - o - r =C2=AE
something accented Ctrl - ` - a (=C3=A0) or Ctrl - ' - e (=C3=A9)
Check it out, you'll love it, it is dead-easy to get used to.
Thank the guy (not me) for producing it.
=20
hth
=20
george
=20
=20
"Charles" wrote in message=20
...
I do a lot of writing in French (and a few other foreign =
languages) and
sometimes mix French words into otherwise English text (and vice =
versa).=20
I
all previous versions of Windows prior to XP I have been able to =
insert=20
the
accented letters needed to write in French (and other special =
characters)=20
by
using an ALT+(number on numberpad) code. For example, to enter =
an "a"=20
with
an accent grave I would simply hold down ALT and enter the =
number 133 on=20
the
key pad. This was a very convenient way to insert the letters =
needed to
write French words and I used them so much that I could almost =
(but not
quite) do it while touch typing. When I started using XP (about =
a year=20
ago)
I found that most of the ALT codes which I used did other =
strange things
instead. I have had to resort to using the character map to =
enter=20
accented
letters which is very slow.

I read an article in Maximum PC sometime ago which I believe =
addressed=20
this
problem, but I did not act at the time and have since lost the =
article. I
believe it said that there was a way to disable some (or all) of =
the=20
keyboard
shortcuts that XP installs automatically, thus allowing the old =
ALT codes=20
for
foreign characters to work again.

A few codes still work, like "=C3=A9" wich is ALT + 130(on the =
number pad) ...
most, however, do not.

Can anyone help me? I would DEEPLY appreciate being able to fix =
this=20
problem.

Thanks a lot (merci beaucoup)
--=20
Charles=20
=20
=20