THUNDER HELP SYSTEM

DESKTOP - KEYS, FUNCTIONS AND COMMON COMMANDS

The Desktop is divided into 2 main areas:- 1. The main Desktop area, where the Icons and Shortcuts are sited; 2. The Task Bar, which is usually sited at the bottom of your screen - sometimes called the Monitor. The Task Bar is further split into 3 areas:- 1. "Start", the Start Menu function; 2. The "Applications area", where open/running applictions are displayed; 3. The "System Tray" or "Notification Area", where applications that are running in the background are shown. The system clock is displayed in this area.

We have tried to list below the main Keys and their Functions and any Common Commands which may be useful for you. Please do not try to remember all these functions and Commands, you will gradually get to know them with use.

The first section describes the special thunder keys which are located at the far right hand side of the keyboard. (known as the keypad).

KPN = key pad number. The on/off key for the keypad is located at the top left hand corner (above KPN 7). To check whether special thunder keys are active press KPN 0.

SPECIAL THUNDER KEYS

The KPN keys active at desktop level are;

  • KPN 5 (identified by a small raised mark) - left mouse click
  • KPN 0 - Switches on and off keyboard help.
  • ONCE THE THUNDER SYSTEM IS RUNNING THE FOLLOWING KEYS WILL BE ANNOUNCED.

    The top row (sixteen keys) Starting at the left hand side:-

  • ESC - Equivalent to clicking the Cancel button.
  • F1 - Displays the Desktop help menu.
  • F2 - This key is used in some applications and will be discussed when required.
  • F3 - Displays the Find dialogue box.
  • F4 & F5 - These key are used in some applications and will be discussed when required.
  • F6 - Takes you to the task bar. If pressed again it will move along the task bar.
  • F7 to F11- These keys are used in some applications and will be discussed when required.
  • F12 - Takes you to the task bar. If pressed again it will move along the task bar.
  • PRINT SCREEN/SYS.RQ - This key is used in some applications and will be discussed when required.
  • SCROLL LOCK - This key is used in some applications and will be discussed when required.
  • PAUSE/BREAK - This key is used in some applications and will be discussed when required.
  • Row one main block of keys (fourteen keys): These keys are used in some applications and will be discussed when required.

    Row two main block (fourteen keys):- TAB (first key) - Takes you to the task bar. If pressed again it will move along the task bar. RETURN (The Return Key  is usually above the Cursor Keys and a little to the left) - Carries out your selection.

    Row three main block (thirteen keys):

  • CAPS LOCK (1st key) - This key is used in some applications and will be discussed when required.
  • Row four main block (thirteen keys)

  • SHIFT KEY (first and last key) - Pressing Shift key five times turns on Sticky key dialogue.

    Row five main block (eight keys)

  • CONTROL KEY (first & last key) - This key is used in some applications and will be discussed when required.
  • WINDOWS KEY (second & sixth key) - Displays the Start Menu
  • Holding the Windows key down and pressing another key will initiate quite a few actions. Some of the more common are listed below.