Dumb question?

[Muse]

I've had computers for many years and I know there's a scroll-lock key on my keyboard but I have no idea what it's for. All I know is that when it's on, a light comes on on my keyboard for some reason (I accidentally tapped the key?) and I wonder which it is... caps lock, numlock, scroll lock. So, I turn it off. All in all, just an annoyance. What's the deal?

 

[SonicIce]

so you can make light shows by pressing all three lock keys in cool patterns

 

[CuriousMike]

Blatantly ripped from Wikipedia.
The scroll lock key locks all scrolling techniques and is a remnant from the original IBM PC keyboard. In the original design, scroll lock was intended to modify the behavior of the arrow keys. When the scroll lock mode was on, the arrow keys would scroll the contents of a text window instead of moving the cursor. In this usage, scroll lock is a modifier key like Alt and Shift (which modify the function of other keys) and, more specifically, a toggling lock key like Num Lock or Caps Lock, which have a state that persists after the key is released.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: CuriousMike
Blatantly ripped from Wikipedia.
The scroll lock key locks all scrolling techniques and is a remnant from the original IBM PC keyboard. In the original design, scroll lock was intended to modify the behavior of the arrow keys. When the scroll lock mode was on, the arrow keys would scroll the contents of a text window instead of moving the cursor. In this usage, scroll lock is a modifier key like Alt and Shift (which modify the function of other keys) and, more specifically, a toggling lock key like Num Lock or Caps Lock, which have a state that persists after the key is released.

Jeez, that didn't help much. Actually, I read that before I posted here. Or rather before I hit the submit button.

Fact is, my arrow keys scroll rather than move the cursor on my laptop (Lenovo T60) whether scroll lock is on or off. Damned if I know if the SL key does anything on my desktop other than befuddle me when I accidentally turn it on. I kind of think there should be an option in Windows or the BIOS to disable it!

 

[Blain]

"Scroll Lock" is your KVM key.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Blain
"Scroll Lock" is your KVM key.

True, and I have a KVM. Rarely use it because my 2nd system is rarely on, but a double hit on the scroll lock key switches my keyboard and mouse to my other system. Unfortunately, it doesn't also switch my display. I have to switch that manually (DVI to VGA) by hitting buttons on the display.

 

[JackMDS]

Today for most users it is useless.

It was used many years ago, since it is there, some designers start to use it (like the KVM).

As a result they do not remove it so that people would not get stuck.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Today for most users it is useless.

It was used many years ago, since it is there, some designers start to use it (like the KVM).

As a result they do not remove it so that people would not get stuck.

If only the the Insert key was so lucky!

Some people use the Insert key as the push-to-talk button on VEntrilo, because in games and whatnot, the Insert key isn't used for anything.

Sadly, because it's not used for "anything", some keyboard mfgs have decided arbitrarily to remove it off of their keyboards. (Logicrap, I'm looking at you.)

But in truth, the Insert key DOES HAVE USES.

In text editors, like PFE (Programmer's File Editor), it switches between Insert and Overstrike modes.

In Windows, SHIFT+Del cuts, and SHIFT+Ins pastes. I use those two key combos all of the time.

On computers with an AMI BIOS, holding down Ins when powering up the computer, lets the BIOS load using a failsafe mode.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Today for most users it is useless.

It was used many years ago, since it is there, some designers start to use it (like the KVM).

Yeah, Scroll Lock was required when using a PC/AT as a Terminal Emulator to talk to a mainframe computer.

You didn't ask about the "System Request" key yet.

 

[nineball9]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Today for most users it is useless.

It was used many years ago, since it is there, some designers start to use it (like the KVM).

Yeah, Scroll Lock was required when using a PC/AT as a Terminal Emulator to talk to a mainframe computer.

You didn't ask about the "System Request" key yet.

Good grief - I forgot the sys request key was still around and it is on my keyboard. Goes back to my days configuring SNA networks. Have you talked to VTAM lately?

 

[bendixG15]

Condensed version ----------------------------

Scroll Lock key was used a lot with Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software. Lotus 1-2-3 was the killer application software of its day and was credited with giving businesses a reason to buy the IBM PC. It was the first piece of software that just about all business wanted. Soon thereafter, 3 or 4 companies were selling their own versions of the Lotus spreadsheet which has since faded away except for Microsoft, which calls its spreadsheet --> Excel.

What the Scroll lock key does in Excel ...........

When the scroll lock key is not engaged ..... Position the curser on the top line of the spreadsheet and depress and hold the down arrow key. The Spreadsheet will not move until the curser reaches the bottom of the screen and then the screen begins to scroll up.

When the scroll lock key is engaged....... Position the curser on the top line if the spreadsheet and depress and hold the down arrow key. The spreadsheet immediately begins to scroll up (does not wait for the curser to reach the bottom of the spreadsheet.)

Anyways, that's how I remember it.