CompTIA A+® Certification All-In-One For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

7.5. Understanding Laptop Input Devices

After you become familiar with a laptop's major components, such as batteries and displays, take a look at the myriad input devices used to get data into the laptop. The major input devices are the keyboard, touch pad, and rubber mouse ball located on the keyboard of some laptops.

7.5.1. Laptop keyboard

The keyboard is the most common input device used on both desktop systems and laptops. The keyboard allows you to communicate with the system by converting the keystrokes into corresponding letters and numbers. For information on the different types of keyboards and how they work, read Book III, Chapter 2.

NOTE

For the exam, be aware that the enhanced 101-key keyboard is the popular keyboard found on desktop and laptop computers today.

7.5.1.1. Maintaining keyboards

Over time, a keyboard collects a lot of dust and dirt behind the keys. It is important to clean keyboards periodically, and the following outlines the basic steps for cleaning a keyboard:

1. Holding the laptop at an angle, use compressed air to blow the dust and dirt from behind the keys.

2. Clean the tops of the keys with a soft cloth dipped in a manufacturer-approved cleaner.

   You can also buy wet cloths with the appropriate cleaning fluid already applied.

3. Using a lint-free swab, clean any remaining dirt from between the keys.

7.5.1.2. Handling keyboard problems

Like most replicable ...