Tandy 1400FD Keyboard Reference

The Tandy 1400FD manual included great detail on the keyboard.

Control Key Combinations

CTRL  ALT  DEL          Resets all system hardware and loads the system
                        programs from the system diskette (if the system
                        diskette is in Drive A or you installed MS-DOS on
                        the hard disk of Tandy 1400 HD).
CTRL  ALT  INS          Changes the computer to Setup mode.

See Tandy 1400FD Setup Utility.

Function Keys

The function keys at the top of the keyboard are program-specific. Their
functions depend on the program you are running. Some of these keys perform
special functions when you start the computer, such as:

CTRL  ALT  F12          LCD mode. Pressing this key combination tells the
                        computer to use the built-in LCD screen instead of
                        an external color monitor.
CTRL  ALT  F11          External color/graphic mode. Pressing this key
                        combination tells the computer to use an external
                        color monitor instead of the built-in LCD screen.

Typewriter Keys

The main part of the keyboard, below the function keys, is similar to the
keyboard of a standard typewriter. However, when you hold down a character
or number key, the keystroke repeats automatically until you release the 
key. This section of the keyboard also contains some keys not found an a 
standard typewriter.

ESC                 The function of the ESC key depends on the program
                    you are running.
CTRL                You use the CTRL key in combination with certain
                    other keys to perform specific operations. The
                    combinations available and their functions are
                    program-dependent. To use a CTRL key combination, hold
                    down the CTRL key, and press the other key. For example,
                    CTRL C performs a break or program interrupt in many
                    programs.

Note: Some software manuals refer to CTRL as CNTRL.

ENTER               The ENTER key enters commands and data into the
                    computer. After you press ENTER, the command you
                    entered is processed by the program or operating
                    system you are running.

Note: Some software manuals might refer to ENTER as RETURN.

ALT                 You use the ALT key in combination with certain other
                    keys to perform specific operations. The combinations
                    available and their functions are program-dependent.
                    To use an ALT key combination, hold down ALT, and
                    press the other key.
FN                  You use the FN in combination with cursor keys, INS,
                    DEL, or ~ to perform the functions labeled in blue on
                    your keyboard.
INS                 The function of the INS key depends on the program you
                    are running. In some programs, this key changes the
                    typing mode from the normal overstrike (type-over)
                    mode to the insertion mode so that you can insert data
                    into a line of text. Pressing the key again returns
                    the keyboard to the overstrike mode.
FN INS              Pressing the FN and INS key combination causes the
                    alphabet keys to produce only capital letters. (This
                    function affects only the keys A-Z.) The light on the
                    upper part of the keyboard indicates when the keyboard
                    is in the caps lock mode. Press this key combination
                    once to activate the mode. Press the keys again to
                    return to the normal typing mode.
DEL                 The function of the DEL key depends on the program you
                    are running. In some programs, this key erases the
                    character at the current cursor position.
FN DEL              The FN and DEL key combination reverses the function
                    of the numeric keypad at the right of the keyboard,
                    activating a "number lock" mode. When this mode is
                    active, the numeric keypad provides a calculator-like
                    pad for entering numbers in application programs. It
                    includes the numbers, operators (-,+,/,and *), and
                    punctuation labeled in blue on the keyboard. The light
                    on the upper part of the keyboard indicates when the
                    keyboard is in "number lock" mode. Press the
                    combination again to return to the normal keyboard
                    mode.
SCROLL LOCK         The function of the SCROLL LOCK key depends on the
                    program you are running. Its use is defined in your
                    operating system or application program manual.
FN ~                Sends everything currently displayed on the screen to
                    the printer.
CTRL SCROLL LOCK    The function of this key combination depends on the
                    program you are running. In some programs, this
                    combination causes a break, halting program execution.

Numeric Keypad

The numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard is arranged the same 
as a calculator keypad. Press the FN and DEL keys at the same time to use 
the keypad for extensive number entry. When number lock is on, the NUM LOCK
indicator on the upper part of the keyboard lights. The values of the keys
on the numeric keypad are 0-9, decimal (.), addition (+), subtraction (-),
multiplication (*), and division (/) as printed in blue on the keyboard.
Press the FN and DEL key combination again to return to the normal keyboard
mode.

Cursor Keys

The arrow keys at the lower right of the keyboard are cursor control keys.
Pressing a cursor key moves the cursor one position in the direction of the
arrow. Holding down a cursor key repeats the action.

FN  <--             Executes a "home" function. The function depends on
                    the program you are running. In some programs, "Home"
                    moves the cursor to the upper left corner of the
                    screen.
FN   -->            Executes an "end" function. The function depends on
                    the program you are running. In some programs, "End"
                    moves the cursor to the right of the last character in
                    the current line.
FN  (Up Arrow)      Executes a "page up" function. The function depends
                    on the program you are running.
FN  (Down Arrow)    Executes a "page down" function. The function depends
                    on the program you are running.

Using an External Keyboard

The Tandy 1400 FD provides a connection port on the back of the system 
for an optional external keyboard. You can connect a Tandy Enhanced 
Keyboard (25-4032) or and IBM PC-compatible keyboard. If you wish, connect
the external keyboard, and select EXT during Setup mode. Refer to Faxback 
Doc. #1073 on how to run the Setup for your computer.

Be sure that you are familiar with the way the external keyboard works 
before you use it with the 1400 FD.

Note: If you are using an enhanced keyboard, it must be set to IBM 
XT-compatible mode. The Tandy Enhanced Keyboard defaults to this mode.

See Also

• Tandy 1400FD
• Tandy 1400 Series Laptops