I have owned 4 different dell laptop computers 1 old inspiron, 2 latitudes and the new studio laptop. They all allow 6-key entry. Hope this helps. From: duxuser-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:duxuser-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Anne Ronco Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 5:55 PM To: duxuser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [duxuser] Re: 6 key entry Hi, Everyone is spot on. Many laptop keyboards won't allow you to type 6 keys at the same time. If you have an external keyboard that works you can use that. It is 100% a hardware problem so installing Perky Duck or any other software won't fix it I'm afraid. By the way if anyone is considering buying a new keyboard and wants to check if it will allow you type 6 keys at the same time you can test it by plugging it into a display computer at the store. Then open Notepad and type the s, d, f, j, k and l keys all at once. If all six letters appear every time you do that (it doesn't matter what order they are in, just that they are all there) then the keyboard will allow 6-key chording. But be sure to buy the keyboard you opened and tested. Sometimes other keyboards, even of the same make and model, won't work. I hope that helps. Best regards, Anne Ronco email: info@xxxxxxxxxx Duxbury Systems, Inc. 270 Littleton Road, #6; Westford, MA 01886-3523 USA TEL: + 978-692-3000 FAX: + 978-692-7912 Email (general): info@xxxxxxxxxx Web site: http://www.DuxburySystems.com Duxbury Systems, the first name in software for Braille - since 1975. On 1/25/2011 6:29 PM, Lmonform@xxxxxxx wrote: Not a dumb question at all! Some keyboards don't support 6-key entry. I'm not sure how you determine which can and which can't, but we had a similar problem when our system moved from one school to another. We had a new monitor and keyboard and couldn't go 6-key. Once we swapped out the keyboards, it was fine. Linda Monformoso Braille Assistant Maplewood, NJ In a message dated 1/25/2011 5:26:45 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, rsapsford@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: Okay this is my first post, be kind... (and I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but I really am confused) What I would like to know is why won't my laptop let me use 6 key entry? When I try to input information in Braille the keys (SDF JKL) do not work as dots 1 through 6? When I find an extra keyboard and plug it into my laptop I can use 6 key entry with it, not my laptop. Rhonda Sapsford Educational Assistant John Paul II Collegiate Phone number 403- 938-4600 Fax 403-938-5324