Category Archives: Uncategorized

Mt Airy MD HP Business Desktop pro 3130 Numlock login problem – 21771

HP — you are building some very nice computers right now, but there is one little detail that you have slipped up on.

It is easy to Work Around, but it is ANNOYING.

You are shipping your business desktop pro with a very cool keyboard that does not have a separate number keyboard.  It uses less desk space, and really very few computer users ( at least few of my customers), use the number kepad keys.  BUT there is no BIOS setting to allow the owner of the computer to manage turning the numlock on, or not on, on bootup.

The Numlock key wants to start up locked on nums.  The keypad is integrated into the normal keys on the keyboard …. so …..

If you set up win7 to not require a login/password then you can turn off numlock the first time you login, and it seems to stay off …

If you watch it while you reboot, it actually come on during the bootup process, and once your win7 desktop starts … it is off.  Easy Peazy.

BUT if you follow industry standard, or turn on the HP Protect options, then you must visit the login screen during bootup.

UGH — if you watch the numlock lamp, it is lit when you are sitting at the password screen.  So every time you log in, you need to click off the numlock before you type in your password ( unless you have a left-hand only password).

The keyboard IS COOL, but you must either change the BIOS to never turn on numlock, or at least change the BIOS to allow the user to manage the BIOS.  Given many users never need to look at the CMOS settings, it would be best to add the option, but default it to NOT turning on num-lock.

Ironically enough I am preparing a HP ProBook 4520s for delivery to a customer.  It is a well priced, 15″ screen notebook, that HAS a separate number keypad.  Go Figure — a Desktop Pro 3130 with a keyboard w/out number keys, and a laptop computer with separate number keys ……

My .02 — fix the BIOS on the 3130 leaving the number keys off is a good move, and take the number keys off of most of your laptops w/ 15″ screens.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE release a BIOS update for the 3130 to address this annoying problem.

New Computer Setup In The Kentlands – Gathersburg MD – 20878 – Tschiffely Square Rd

P.D. I am glad we were able to help you find a good replacement for your Dell Computer.  I think that in general the HP Business Desktop Pro line seems pretty solid, and well priced.  In particular, the system you bought with 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard disk, and a quad core processor should work well for you  for a long, long, time.

Glad we were able to help you out.

Computer Help Kensington, MD , OSX, Vista, XP, printer sharing

Molly, and Danny N. of Kensington, MD — I am glad that Fernando was able to help you out with your network printing. Your network is a bit challenging since now you have such a wide variety of operating systems. You are one of our few customers who have OSX, Vista, and Windows XP, all on the same network.

The addition of the network printer, and moving away from Windows printer sharing, should make your whole setup much more stable. I am glad to see that Fernando was up to the job.

If you need help with your computer please see http://www.watzanetwork.com

If you are looking for computer equipment please see http://www.watzastore.com