A keyboard port. Often located on the back of your computer case, the keyboard port provides a way for the keyboard to connect to the computer. If you don't have a keyboard port, you're in a heap of trouble. Most of today's computer's have the keyboard ps/2 port color coded and diagrammed.

Software. Data flowing from the keyboard to the computer isn't of much use if the system can't process what is being sent. Your operating system software oversees what's coming in and makes sure that it is interpreted correctly. Desk accessories and control panels with names like KeyFinder and Key Caps can help you make sense of your keyboard by showing you what sequence of buttons to push for special characters, for which no legends appear on the keyboard itself.