P1243289
Of course if you're reading this, you already know how to change the keyboard driver by going into the Control Panel and changing the Regional/Language settings to use the US Dvorak layout, but the problem is, as you know, that the keyboard still "looks" like it's in the QWERTY layout. And though you may not think you glance at the keys when you type, I've found that most people do and that all it takes is an accidental look out of the corner the eye to start making typos. (Don't believe me? Just slyly swap the W and R keys on a friend's keyboard and see how long it takes them to figure out why they keep typing like Elmer Fudd.)
Converting an HP Notebook to Dvorak layout:
(Follow these instructions at your own risk. The key mechanisms are flimsy things and I can't even guarantee that your and my keyboards have the same construction or even if my descriptions are clear enough to follow. There may be other methods; this is just what worked for me. I take no responsibility for any damage you may incur trying to do what I did.)
The first I did was order a spare notebook keyboard from Hewlett-Packard. I figured that not only would it be easier to remove the keys when the keyboard is not attached to the laptop, but if I broke something, I wouldn't have incapacitated my brand-new notebook and have the repair tech muttering about a possible voided warranty...
The spare keyboard for my laptop was HP part #441427-001 ($53) (if your laptop takes a different keyboard, I can't say whether this method will work for you or not). The spare keyboard also turned out to be generic black plastic keys - not the nice brushed aluminum look of the one that came installed on the notebook. If you find yourself in the same situation as me - lamenting having to swap out the nice shiny keyboard for a generic black one - after you're done with swapping the keys on the spare keyboard you'll at least have the practice and confidence to attempt to do it on the actual notebook keys.
The keys on the spare keyboard were attached to tiny plastic hinges on the bottom and "snaps" at the top. (DO NOT try to pry the keys up from the bottom! These hinges are not designed to "pop" out - if you pry from the bottom, you WILL break something... maybe not on the first key, but eventually.
P1243289
Of course if you're reading this, you already know how to change the keyboard driver by going into the Control Panel and changing the Regional/Language settings to use the US Dvorak layout, but the problem is, as you know, that the keyboard still "looks" like it's in the QWERTY layout. And though you may not think you glance at the keys when you type, I've found that most people do and that all it takes is an accidental look out of the corner the eye to start making typos. (Don't believe me? Just slyly swap the W and R keys on a friend's keyboard and see how long it takes them to figure out why they keep typing like Elmer Fudd.)
Converting an HP Notebook to Dvorak layout:
(Follow these instructions at your own risk. The key mechanisms are flimsy things and I can't even guarantee that your and my keyboards have the same construction or even if my descriptions are clear enough to follow. There may be other methods; this is just what worked for me. I take no responsibility for any damage you may incur trying to do what I did.)
The first I did was order a spare notebook keyboard from Hewlett-Packard. I figured that not only would it be easier to remove the keys when the keyboard is not attached to the laptop, but if I broke something, I wouldn't have incapacitated my brand-new notebook and have the repair tech muttering about a possible voided warranty...
The spare keyboard for my laptop was HP part #441427-001 ($53) (if your laptop takes a different keyboard, I can't say whether this method will work for you or not). The spare keyboard also turned out to be generic black plastic keys - not the nice brushed aluminum look of the one that came installed on the notebook. If you find yourself in the same situation as me - lamenting having to swap out the nice shiny keyboard for a generic black one - after you're done with swapping the keys on the spare keyboard you'll at least have the practice and confidence to attempt to do it on the actual notebook keys.
The keys on the spare keyboard were attached to tiny plastic hinges on the bottom and "snaps" at the top. (DO NOT try to pry the keys up from the bottom! These hinges are not designed to "pop" out - if you pry from the bottom, you WILL break something... maybe not on the first key, but eventually.