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Document ID: YAST-3VHPBM

Rapid Access Keyboard - Customizing the buttons and on-screen display

Applicable to: AP-S, Canada, EMEA, United States

About the Rapid Access Keyboard:
The IBM Rapid Access Keyboard makes computing in Windows 95 more convenient than ever by providing quick access to your most commonly performed tasks. The keyboard provides 14 Rapid Access buttons that perform various tasks including accessing Windows 95 help, CD and audio controls, and Suspend mode.

Four of the buttons are customizable, so you can set them up to start your most commonly used applications or files. This allows you to go straight to a file or program with the press of a button instead of having to click an icon or search for a program in the Windows 95 Start menu. For example, if you frequently browse the Internet, you can set up one of the customizable buttons to launch your Web browser, or if you work on the same file often, you can set up another button to open that file.

Setting Up the Customizable Buttons:
You can set up the four customizable buttons to start your most commonly used applications or files.

To set up a customizable button for the first time, press that button on your keyboard. This step will start the Rapid Access software. Click Customize and follow the panels to choose a program or file to launch. When you have customized one button, click Customize Another to work on another button. When you have customized all of the buttons you would like to change, click Finish to save the changes and exit.

You can reset the customizable buttons at any time by starting the Rapid Access software. To restart the Rapid Access software from the Windows 95 desktop, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, and then double-click Keyboard (Rapid Access).

Labeling Customizable Buttons:
The customizable buttons come with a label to show which program or file will start when you press each button. After you customize these buttons to start your favorite program or file, you might want to customize the button label. To change the label for the customizable buttons:

  1. Grasp the right edge of the clear label cover (near the indent) and unclip it from the keyboard.
  2. Remove the paper labels. There should be two sets of labels. Look for the label with a blank next to the button you have customized.
  3. Write in the name of the program or file you assigned to the button.
  4. Replace the label to show your new button assignment.
  5. Replace the clear label cover. It should snap into place.

Disabling the Rapid Access Buttons:
The Rapid Access Keyboard by default enables all fourteen Rapid Access buttons (Suspend, Windows 95 help, four customizable buttons, and CD and audio controls). However, if you want to turn off all of the buttons, you can disable the Rapid Access buttons in the Preferences dialog box. To disable the Rapid Access buttons:

  1. Start the Rapid Access software.
  2. In the Rapid Access softwareÆs first panel, click Customize.
  3. In the Customization panel, click Preferences...
  4. In the Preferences dialog box, click Disable Rapid Access Buttons.
  5. Click OK.
  6. In the Customization panel, click Cancel to exit the Rapid Access software.

Customizing the On-Screen Display:
When you install the Rapid Access software, it is set to display the name of the program or file you are starting when you press the customizable button. This on-screen display is preset to bold Arial Narrow, 24-point font, as shown here: Netscape Navigator. To change the font characteristics for the on-screen display:

  1. Start the Rapid Access software. Click Customize.
  2. In the Customization panel, click Preferences...
  3. In the Rapid Access Buttons Preferences dialog box, click Font.
  4. In the Font dialog box, choose the settings you want and then click OK.
  5. In the Preferences dialog box, click OK.
  6. In the Customization panel, click Cancel to exit the Rapid Access software.

To disable the on-screen display:

  1. Start the Rapid Access software. Click Customize.
  2. In the Customization panel, click Preferences...
  3. In the Preferences dialog box, click Disable on-screen display.
  4. Click OK.
  5. In the Customization panel, click Cancel to exit the Rapid Access software.

Search Keywords

Hint Category

Hardware Installation/Configuration

Date Created

16-06-98

Last Updated

25-11-98

Revision Date

17-11-99

Brand

IBM Options

Product Family

Input Devices

Machine Type

Keyboards

Model

00K8649; 00K8660; 00K8661; 00K8662; 00K8663; 00K8664; 00K8665; 00K8666; 00K8667; 00K8668; 00K8669; 00K8670; 00K8671; 00K8672

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