Internet points abroad - finding '@' on keyboard

Often when using internet points overseas the keyboard doesn't appear to have the normal symbol above the ' symbol which causes a problem when typing email addresses. It's sometimes beside another symbol rather than over it so the shift key won't bring it up. Anyone know the keyboard procedure to type the @?
Excuse my techie ignorance:o.

jester77

I presume you are referring to the @ as the 3rd symbol on a key? In that case pressing Alt-gr (usually right of they space key) plus the key where it is located will get you the symbol.

Yea Jester - it would be on a key with two other symbols. I'll try that next time - thanks:).

coylemj

The third symbol is usually show in the lower-right of the button. Look at the '4' key on your keyboard, the Euro symbol is the third character for which as Jester77 says you need to hold down AltGr when pressing it to get the third character.

Ponster

Or keep ALT pressed, type 64, leave go or ALT and you'll make a @

coylemj

Ponster wrote: »

Or keep ALT pressed, type 64, leave go or ALT and you'll make a @

That's easy if you're using a desktop PC with a keyboard that has a numeric keypad, otherwise it's a PITA as you have to press NumLock and enter the '64' using keys in the middle of the keyboard which have numbers on them and then remember to switch off NumLock. Most people don't even realise they are there - your typical laptop or compact desktop keyboard has a 'numeric keypad' embedded right of centre on the keyboard within the letters. On my laptop the top row ('456') of this keypad is on the 'UIO' letters, '123'' is below that on the 'JKL' buttons.

It's much easier to find the '@' as a shift or third character on a button and use Shift or AltGr.

Ponster

Ponster wrote: »

Or keep ALT pressed, type 64, leave go or ALT and you'll make a @

That doesn't seem to work for me - it could be my keyboard as Coylemj says.

coylemj

inthehat wrote: »

That doesn't seem to work for me - it could be my keyboard as Coylemj says.

Switch on NumLock, hold down ALT and press the 6 and 4 buttons in the numeric keypad embedded within your keyboard, on my keyboard they are on the 'O' and 'U' buttons.

Where is numlock?? (Mortified:o)

kerry4sam

inthehat wrote: »

Where is numlock?? (Mortified:o)

It's a key named 'numlock' ; normally on the keyboard by the right side-panel ; with numbers 0->9; enter; +; -; / & *.

coylemj

It's a function assigned probably to a button that has a different normal function, typically a button along the top of the keyboard. Look to see if 'NumLk' appears in a faint colour (not white or black) on a key in the upper-right of your keyboard, it may be that you have to hold down a 'Fn' button (usually in the lower-left) to invoke it.

Ponster

coylemj wrote: »

it may be that you have to hold down a 'Fn' button (usually in the lower-left) to invoke it.

And if that is the case then you'll probably need a third hand to use the ALT command and so stick with ALT-gr as jester77 suggested

Got magnifying glass, sat under brightest bulb in the house, pressed every function button, - no numlock. My old (now-deceased) laptop has it quite clearly in the top righthand side but this newer Dell keyboard doesn't seem to have one - at least not as an individual button.
But not to worry - even if I find it on my own keyboard it would inevitably be in some other obscure place when trying to use a PC in some Spanish Costa! So I'll use the AltGr shortcut. Thanks for all the help!

coylemj

Ponster wrote: »

And if that is the case then you'll probably need a third hand to use the ALT command and so stick with ALT-gr as jester77 suggested

Glad the OP is sorted but NumLock is a 'sticky' function meaning that when you switch it on, it stays on so you don't need three hands!

1. Switch on NumLock
2. Hold down the left 'ALT' button and press 6 followed by 4 on the numeric keypad - if you can find it.
3. Switch off NumLock.

Curiosity is getting the better of me. Here's my keyboard - numbers are displayed in a straight line across the top row - under the function buttons. No button says 'NumLk'. Any suggestions on where it might be? It's not any of the red buttons on the top righthand corner either.
Sorry - I know this is a Travel forum - I probably should be somewhere else!

Ponster

coylemj wrote: »

Glad the OP is sorted but NumLock is a 'sticky' function meaning that when you switch it on, it stays on so you don't need three hands!

I was referring to your post where you said that he would have to perhaps hold down the Fn key at the same time as ALT and pressing the 6 and 4 keys.

coylemj

Ponster wrote: »

I was referring to your post where you said that he would have to perhaps hold down the Fn key at the same time as ALT and pressing the 6 and 4 keys.

Sorry for the confusion, pressing Fn and NumLock is a separate exercise to switch on NumLock which stays on. The original PC keyboard had a light to show you that it was on. There was separate lights for Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and Num Lock.

Your fingers are then free to press 6 and 4 while holding down the ALT button.

Gatica

inthehat wrote: »

Curiosity is getting the better of me. Here's my keyboard - numbers are displayed in a straight line across the top row - under the function buttons. No button says 'NumLk'. Any suggestions on where it might be? It's not any of the red buttons on the top righthand corner either.
Sorry - I know this is a Travel forum - I probably should be somewhere else!

You didn't post picture of your complete keyboard methinks... Usually Numlock is one the buttons above your numeric keypad to the right of your letters.
It'll be something like a 3x3 of numbers 1-9, with Numlock / and * above them, 0 and . below them and - + and Enter to the right.
If you have a compact keyboard it may be a little different but the Numlock should be near the numbers anyway. If you have a laptop, you may not have number keys separate from your keyboard, they may just be marked in another colour in the middle of your keyboard, in which case as previous poster said, you'll need the Fn key to turn on Numlock in the middle of the keyboard.

Ponster

Gatica wrote: »

You didn't post picture of your complete keyboard methinks... Usually Numlock is one the buttons above your numeric keypad to the right of your letters.

From a quick search it seems that some Dell keyboards don't have a numlock button. I'm not sure why the OP would need a numlock key if he doesn't have a Numeric Keypad.

Gatica

Ponster wrote: »

it seems that some Dell keyboards don't have a numlock button.

:eek:
I can't imagine not having num lock key

diarmuid05

When i forget all those shortcuts. I always just type "email symbol" or similar into Google and just copy and paste

Gatica

yep, the copy and paste method is a good one. I've done it for other symbols couldn't find on a keyboard, like ñ. I've since found the alt+number method and that works great, e.g. Alt+0241! Can be many numbers to try and remember though! :rolleyes:

Gatica

Gatica wrote: »

You didn't post picture of your complete keyboard methinks... Usually Numlock is one the buttons above your numeric keypad to the right of your letters.
It'll be something like a 3x3 of numbers 1-9, with Numlock / and * above them, 0 and . below them and - + and Enter to the right.
If you have a compact keyboard it may be a little different but the Numlock should be near the numbers anyway. If you have a laptop, you may not have number keys separate from your keyboard, they may just be marked in another colour in the middle of your keyboard, in which case as previous poster said, you'll need the Fn key to turn on Numlock in the middle of the keyboard.

No - that's the full keyboard - just a tiny bit of the last row of keys missing at the righthand side. No numeric keypad, no numlock!

Gatica

had a better look this time and since it looks like a laptop (possibly a netbook?), it's not likely to have similar layout to a keyboard standard keyboard (also common on a larger laptop).
Looks like it's also missing the common Fn numeric keypad in the middle of the keyboard... Sorry can't think of any alternative, short of getting an external keyboard.

Ponster

Gatica wrote: »

Sorry can't think of any alternative, short of getting an external keyboard.

The OP doesn't need one. jester77 already suggested to use ALT-Gr to get the @.

If the OP really needed a num-lock key then it can be found by typing 'on screen keyboard' into the Windows 7 search bar and choosing the 'options' button on the pop-up keyboard.

Well I never missed it and didn't even realise I hadn't one til now so I guess i don't need it in the normal run of events. Thanks for the hints on the @ symbol - I'll remember ye when I'm typing in the tropics:cool:!

peckerhead

Have you thought about sending postcards instead?