There are many drawbacks to being a tech illiterate

[Bretrick]

Today my laptop keyboard went "bung"
For some reason it decided to lock into the numeric pad?
For example, when I typed the P, * would be shown. When I typed L, 3 would be shown, M would show 0...
I could not type a question as to how to remedy the situation because of this glitch.
At a loss, I went to the computer repair shop 5km away. Explained my dilemma, he said, "Ah yes, I know there is a fix for this, let me think.
He jockeyed around the keyboard until he found the fix.
Combined Alt - F12 remedied the situation.

 

[Coconut]

That one sounds like a real hum dinger!
I do pretty well with Tech stuff, I mostly taught myself.
I have had computers and laptops for over 30 years.
When I get stuck I search online.There is help for everything.
Of course with your situation that would not have been helpful.

Glad you got that sorted.

 

[horseless carriage]

I come from an era where technology served a direct purpose, a telephone for talking, a radio for listening. Today’s technology often feels designed to constantly pull one’s attention away from the present moment. While I admire the ingenuity of modern innovations, I have chosen to live my 80th year with intention and tranquility, prioritizing human connection over digital connectivity. I suppose you could say I am a deliberate analog holdout in a digital world.
I have decided to stop trying to teach this old dog new tricks, particularly when the tricks keep changing every time I learn them.

 

[Bretrick]

That one sounds like a real hum dinger!
I do pretty well with Tech stuff, I mostly taught myself.
I have had computers and laptops for over 30 years.
When I get stuck I search online.There is help for everything.
Of course with your situation that would not have been helpful.

Glad you got that sorted.

It was very frustrating when I could not even type the "How to" question.

 

[Coconut]

Yes I am sure you were frustrated Betrick!
No way to get online help.I l have never heard of that kind of error happening.
You must have been really going at that keyboard. (just kidding)

I agree with horseless carriage, seems like I have learned all this stuff, then they change it.
Not to mention trying to remember it.

 

[Naturally]

I’m convinced half of modern technology exists just to remind us who’s really in charge …and it isn't us.
A computer problem that prevents you from asking how to fix computer problems is about as good as it gets.
Amongst themselves, computers call that a feature, not a bug or glitch

 

[Messy]

Oh that's annoying. Don't you have a phone to look it up?

 

[Bretrick]

Oh that's annoying. Don't you have a phone to look it up?

No smart phone. No smart phone in the near future.

 

[Coconut]

I do not have a Smartphone either, I have an Android cell phone.
I can look up anything but it is hard for me to see.

I always say it is good to have two of everything, just in case.
I am saving money so I can get a Laptop in case my PC fails.
I have other gadgets and other stuff that need internet
.I would be lost without it.

 

[horseless carriage]

There is a widespread misconception that adopting technology is inherently progressive or smart. However, from a geriatric standpoint, technology is merely a means to an end, an extension of human capacity. If your existing methods (pen and paper, telephone, physical books) fulfill your needs for information and connection, adopting digital tools isn't a sign of intelligence; it is often just adopting unnecessary complexity. The digital divide is frequently framed as a failure of the user, when in reality, it is often a failure of design (user interface) that does not account for the needs of mature users.

 

[Rich]

I enjoy certain parts of technology, emphasis on certain. My PC, tablet, and smartphone all have their roles. A large monitor and full‑size keyboard make the PC a pleasure, the tablet is perfect for relaxing on the porch, and the phone is handy when I’m out and need quick information. But the supposed marvels of “smart” living? I remain unconvinced. I don’t need an Alexa to turn my lights on and off or to play music I can already play myself. And in cars, I’ll take a good old‑fashioned knob over a touchscreen menu that requires fifteen minutes and a spiritual journey just to adjust the clock.
Every new gadget is simply another device waiting for its inevitable malfunction, followed by the traditional ritual of troubleshooting despair. My long‑held suspicion stands: the people designing this software must not actually use it. If they did, we’d all be spared a great deal of unnecessary suffering

 

[Happyflowerlady]

Sometimes, just doing a restart will fix an error that you don’t know how you made. I have had my keyboard do weird things occasionally, or just stop typing. I know it has to be some key that I accidentally pushed and didn’t rreaile it, but I have no clue which key it was or why it did it.
When this kind of thing happens , I shut the device down and restart it, and it generally goes back to the default settings again, and then everything forks like it should. It might not fix everything, but it is always worth trying before taking it to a shop.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

^^^^^
Yes, a restart fixes a lot of my troubles. I guess the OP was an exception, since taking it to the repair shop would have entailed a restart, yet the technician had to still take further action.

Sometimes when I start my laptop after it's been shutdown for the night, the toolbar does not display the icon to connect to WIFI. Oh, the icon is there, but clicking it only opens an option to turn on Bluetooth. I've never found any fix for that, other than a restart. It makes no sense to me why a restart fixes it, since the laptop had already been freshly started after being off all night.