Some people cannot use the keyboard and mouse at all due to a physical impairment,
and must use some specially designed input device (e.g. an augmentative or
alternative communication [AAC] device) while accessing a computer. Many AAC
devices are capable of connecting to a computer's serial port (on a Macintosh
computer it is the connector labeled "modem", typically on the rear of your
Macintosh). However, the computer is designed to receive input from the user
via the keyboard and mouse, not through the serial port. Therefore, simply
connecting an AAC device to the computer's serial port will not allow the user
to operate the computer.
The SerialKeys software is designed to allow the AAC device to communicate to the computer through a serial port, and changes that information into keyboard or mouse events, just as if the user were typing on the keyboard or using the mouse. SerialKeys follows the connection and communication protocol outlined in the General Input Device Emulating Interface (GIDEI) Proposal. Please contact the Trace R&D Center if you would like more information regarding the GIDEI.
* More information about Macintosh SerialKeys can be found at Information on Mac SerialKeys*
- Q: What kind of cable should I use?
A: You need to use a "null modem serial cable" (if using a PRC device, use their mti-5 cable). This cable is required for direct serial communications between an AAC device and the computer. A null modem cable basically switches the send and receive wire pairs on one end; you can also use a standard serial cable with null adapter. - Q: I am using a serial cable but SerialKeys still doesn't
work.
A: Make sure that SerialKeys is configured to listen to the same port that the serial cable is plugged in to. - Q: Where can I learn which operating systems support
SerialKeys?
A: Look at our Operating Systems with built-in accessiblity features page.
For the Macintosh
- Q: What hardware and software requirements are there
for using SerialKeys on the Macintosh?
A: Refer to our page Macintosh SerialKeys: System Requirements - Q: My iMac, iBook, G3 or G4 doesn't have a serial port.
How can I use SerialKeys?
A: One solution is a product called Keyspan USB Serial Adapter which is a serial to USB adapter. For more information on how to use SerialKeys on these machines, refer to SerialKeys Requirements for USB equipped Macintosh Computers. - Q: My computer tells me that I have to turn off AppleTalk
in order to use SerialKeys. How do I do this?
A: In order to use SerialKeys, you must turn off AppleTalk. This is because you can not use the printer port for AppleTalk and SerialKeys at the same time. In order to disable AppleTalk do not use the Chooser, instead:
1. Open the AppleTalk control panel.
2. Select the User Mode under the edit menu.
3. Select Advanced User Mode and click OK.
4. Click on the Options button.
5. Select inactive and click OK.
6. Close the AppleTalk control panel.
7. Save the changes. - Q: I am using Mac SerialKeys with a Prentke romich AAC
device and my mouse won't behave properly. What is the problem?
A: In order for the mouse to move to the proper location on the screen, you must load a PRE 4/93 MIKE file when using a Mac with SerialKeys. The Macintosh's Apple Bus Mouse uses high and low resolution settings. SerialKeys bypass the Apple Bus and uses the actual pixel sizes of the monitor. Therefore, use a Pre 4/93 file when using SerialKeys on a Macintosh. When using a TTAM, you should continue to use the file appropriate to the age of the computer and size of the monitor (i.e., use a Pre 4/93 for an old Mac and Post 4/93 for a G-3.)If you are using a TTAM device from Prentke Romich, you can go to their web page for more detailed information. http://www.prentrom.com/servfaqs/compaccess/ttam1.html
- Q: How can I get a copy of SerialKeys for the Macintosh?
A: Refer to Downloadable copies of Mac SerialKeys.
For Windows
- Q: Windows 95/98 SerialKeys is not working.
A:Are you on Windows 95?- Yes - Are you getting a blue screen when you attempt to use serial
keys?
- Yes - Are you using win95 version B?
Version is also known as "Windows 95 version 4.00.950 B" See Also: Q158238 How to Determine the Version of Windows 95/98 in Use
- Yes - Install Windows 95 version B patch for SerialKeys
- Yes - Install win95B and the patch above or Upgrade to win98
- No - Are you sending commands, but serial keys is just not interpreting
them? (If you are getting an error message in addition, go to "no"
below.)
- Yes - Try win98 solutions below.
- No - Check your device manager and verify your com port is responding
- Yes - Are you using win95 version B?
- No - On Widows 98, try the following:
- Verify the com port and baudrate setting under: Control Panel/Accessibility/General/Serial
key devices/Settings matches your AT settings and that your AT device
is connected to the correct port.
- Turn serial keys off and then on again (clear and refresh serial
keys):
- Bring up Control Panel/Accessibility/General/Serial keys devices
- Verify the checkbox is checked (serial keys is turned on) (if it is not, check it, and then see if your AT device now works)
- Uncheck the serial keys checkbox (turn off serial keys)
- Click "OK" to accept
- Bring up the Accessibility control panel again
- Check the checkbox (turn serial keys back on)
- Click "OK" to accept.
- Reboot the machine.
- Refresh your com and baudrate settings:
- bring up serial keys settings
- Change the com and baudrate settings to any other value
- Click "OK" to accept
- Reboot
- Bring up the serial key settings again
- Change back to the correct value
- Click "OK", "Apply", "OK" to accept.
- Reboot (may not be necessary - try serial keys again before
rebooting)
- Verify the com port and baudrate setting under: Control Panel/Accessibility/General/Serial
key devices/Settings matches your AT settings and that your AT device
is connected to the correct port.
- Yes - Are you getting a blue screen when you attempt to use serial
keys?
- Note: If the built-in SerialKeys doesn't work, you may want to try AAC Keys is a keyboard and mouse emulation program for Microsoft Windows-based computers.
- Note: If the built-in SerialKeys doesn't work, you may
want to try Serialkeys,
an alternative freeware program developed to overcome difficulties that
have been experienced with the Accessibiliy Options Serial Keys funcionality
in Windows 95 and 98. It will work under Windows 95, 98, 2000 and NT and
on networked computers.
- Note: If you are using a device from Prentke Romich, you can go to their web page for more detailed information about SerialKeys. http://www.prentrom.com/servfaqs/compaccess/serkmacibm.html