purpose in a 1983 interview, he replied "I don't know, but we put it on ours, too". The indicator light is sometimes used for other purposes such as a keyboard layout indicator in some Linux distributions or other applications, because doing so is less likely to cause problems than manipulating other keys/lights. Keyboard, video, mouse switches (KVM) often use the Scroll Lock key on the keyboard connected to the KVM switch for selecting between computers. On KVM switches with On-screen display (OSD), a "double click" of the Scroll Lock key often brings up the OSD, allowing the user to select the desired computer from a list or access the configuration menu of the KVM. Some models, especially those which lack an OSD, switch to the input corresponding to the number key pressed after Scroll Lock, or in the case of some 2-port switches, the up and down arrow keys. Simple models with only two or four inputs may immediately switch to the next input following a double press of the Scroll Lock key. Scroll Lock on keyboards without a Scroll Lock key Some laptops and keyboards do not have a physical key. Some of these have a second function on another key that acts as if a key was pressed. Some common methods are: or on certain Dell laptops. or on certain Lenovo laptops. on certain HP laptops. Another way to press the key is to use an on-screen keyboard. In Windows 8 and later versions, it can be found in the "Windows Ease of Access" program group. This will provide access to an emulation of a standard 101/102-key keyboard. See also Arrow keys Break key Scroll wheel Sys Rq References External links Straightdope article about the Scroll Lock key User interface techniques Lock keys IBM PC compatibles