Use of ASCII code without numpad

[f.foresta86]

Hi guys,

two days ago I have bought a PS63 Modern 8RC but then I have realized that the NumPad is missing. Since I use ASCII codes a lot (to insert characters as ? and so on), is there a way to insert them without NumPad? I've bought a BT NumPad but the ASCII code doesn't work because some forums I cannot press ALT on the laptop keyboard and the number on the external NumPad since it it recognized as a second keyboard.

I know there is the character map, but it is a long process if I need them a lot.

Thanks in advance.

Francesco

 

[fioriomarco9157002dc]

Good evening,

I own a prestige 15, which comes without numpad and hence no numlock key, and I have the same issue. It is absolutely ludicrous and frustrating that on a 1500 € laptop it's not possible to insert an ascii character with a simple key combination. MSI seriously needs a wake-up call on this!
I am extremely disappointed.

 

[katherinego]

Yes totally ridiculous. It does work if you use an external kB tho.

 

[Furna]

Yes totally ridiculous. It does work if you use an external kB tho.

I don't have an MSI laptop anyway the topic should be common to all laptop without a numpad
Did you guys tried https://www.pctips.smittystips.com/v_ascii_characters_laptop_keyboard.php ?

 

[katherinego]

I don't have an MSI laptop anyway the topic should be common to all laptop without a numpad
Did you guys tried https://www.pctips.smittystips.com/v_ascii_characters_laptop_keyboard.php ?

Thanks for the tip Furna. Why are you hanging out here if you don't have one?

 

[pauldubois777]

If you are on Windows 10, it has the "On Screen Keyboard". Not sure if this will help you, but thought I would share it:

Use the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) to type

Learn how to use the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) instead of a physical keyboard to type and enter text on your PC.

support.microsoft.com

.

 

[Furna]

Thanks for the tip Furna. Why are you hanging out here if you don't have one?

Why I am hanging out? Because I am hanging out ;-)
Why here? Because this specific issue is one that I have since 15 years with all different brands of laptop.

Does your MSI laptop have a "virtual" numpad with ALT+Fn key combination?

 

[katherinego]

Nope it does not. I was very annoyed when I learned I could not use the onboard kB for special characters. But I mostly use an external kB so I live with it.

 

[fioriomarco9157002dc]

Thank you all guys for all the answers.
In regard to pauldubois777 suggestion, I was already aware of that possibility, such as for the case of relying on an external KB as properly hinted by
katherinego. These are all effective work-arounds but they don't address the issue at its origin. Sadly, the suggestion provided by Furna doesn't apply for prestige laptops. I am also aware that this is a problem common to all modern laptops that come without a numpad but this doesn't exempt MSI from the responsibility to deliver high end machines with a very inadequate and inconvenient design that might be fixed with a simple bios update f.e. to enable a special key combination. This is especially true for prestige line of laptops which are oriented towards content creators and professionals.
I am an aerospace engineer and I find myself coding a lot on Matlab and it's such a hassle to copy and paste or fire up the charachter map everytime I need a tilde character (~) for example.
I hope this post reaches the attention it deserves and needs to wake up MSI design team.

 

[Furna]

@fioriomarco9157002dc I am afraid MSI is not checking this forum. MSI just host the platform.
Maybe you can contact MSI via >>How to contact MSI.<<