Keyboard stops responding and can't start new programs or restart

[amitamit2]

Hello, I'm new to these forums. Just wanted to find somewhere to post this and see if anyone has an answer since i couldn't find a solution to the problem by googling...

This problem happens apparently at random. i could be away from my computer or i can be using it. At some point the keyboard just stop responding. i can't type, and the num-lock, scroll-lock, caps-lock buttons don't turn on or off their respective lights. The lights on the keyboard are still on, btw. As my mouse is still working fine, i can browse the internet and open and close folders, but trying to open a new program or close an open one doesn't work. Trying to right click the taskbar, i see an option to open the task manager but once clicked, it won't open either. trying to restart or turn off the computer just gets it stuck on the "logging off" screen forever until i manually turn off my computer on the button at the front. once restarted everything works fine until the problem randomly happens again.
i tried switching USB ports for the keyboard before and during the problem but that doesn't fix the problem. i tried erasing INFCACHE.1 i tried clearing greyed out USB ports in device manager. i tried discharging static from the PC. i tried error checking and clearing from the drive. anything else i could try and do?

 

[Ztruker]

Try a different keyboard?

 

[amitamit2]

I don't have one... Besides, could a faulty keyboard really prevent a computer from closing and prevent programs from opening?

In any case, i'd like to exhaust all free options before i jump ahead to buying new hardware...

 

[linnemeyerhere]

amitamit2,
Welcome to SF. Is this a wired or wireless keyboard?

 

[amitamit2]

amitamit2,
Welcome to SF. Is this a wired or wireless keyboard?

It's a wired SteelSeries Merc Stealth Keyboard
And thx for the welcome

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Try another usb port and a re-boot and let me know if it gets better?

 

[amitamit2]

Try another usb port and a re-boot and let me know if it gets better?

Yeah, i wrote in the first post. i tried turning off my PC switching ports and starting again. it happened randomly as usual...

 

[linnemeyerhere]

You may also want to review theses instructions supplied by SteelSeries.

Frequently Asked Questions - What should I ALWAYS do before I install a new product onto a Windows computer?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

When did this start happening, could you have installed or downloaded something? Run a deep AV and Malware as well if still happening restore back to when it wasn't happening.

Also check the cable for any signs of pinching or breaks.

 

[amitamit2]

Thanks for the link, seemed like good information. most of my settings were already set as they asked but i had to change some too. I've had this keyboard for a year though, so i'm not sure if what they wrote on the steelseries site is what's causing the problem...
I don't think i downloaded anything when or before this started happening... I'm starting a complete virus and malware scan now. I already looked at the cable, fearing it somehow got damaged but that didn't seem to be the case as far as i could tell...


EDIT: The virus scan is already finding infections in "System32/Drivers". I haven't had any viruses in my computer since forever! sounds pretty serious... Should i copy the infection results? Will you be able to recognize anything relating to my problem from the names? Just to tell me if it's really related or not, not to actually try and fix it, i'm hoping the antivirus could do that XD

 

[linnemeyerhere]

You can also boot to safe mode without networking and run the AV there as well and see if it finds anything else and then put it in quarantine.

 

[amitamit2]

Is it safe to "heal"/"erase" these? and do you think they r related to the problem?
btw, i just had the whole computer freeze. I was browsing and my mouse AND keyboard froze. Not sure about stuff in the computer because i couldn't do anything without the mouse and keyboard...

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would start up and re-post this info in a new thread in "System Security" you'll get more and better answers! Looks to me a virus issue for sure.

 

[amitamit2]

alright, uploaded it where u told me. i just had another complete freeze and had to press the reset button again... do you think the threats have anything to do with the issue?|
in any case, any other free ideas i could try? would it help to see what's running (or not running) on task manager or something?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would say yes if the AV targeted them !

 

[Layback Bear]

I do agree with linnemeyerhere.

Please post the log in your post #12 in this part of our Forum.
System Security - Windows 7 Help Forums

Your AVG shows rootkits which are very serious and can cause all kinds of problems.
Those rootkits are so serious you might have to do a Clean Install.
Give the good folks in the Security section a chance to take a look.

 

[amitamit2]

I do agree with linnemeyerhere.

Please post the log in your post #12 in this part of our Forum.
System Security - Windows 7 Help Forums

Your AVG shows rootkits which are very serious and can cause all kinds of problems.
Those rootkits are so serious you might have to do a Clean Install.
Give the good folks in the Security section a chance to take a look.

Already have, about 3 hours ago, thank you for your time and thanks for the replies and the help so far guys, i appreciate it.

 

[amitamit2]

BTW, any more free methods to repair it? while i'm working on the virus front...

And could it have been a normal software gone wrong? whenever my keyboard and programs froze, i always tried closing everything that's open (x-fire, steam, skype) using the mouse, before i try to shut down via the task-bar shutdown button. And every time, everything was able to close except for skype.

Could something like skype get corrupted and cause something like this? so far, it's been about 30 hours that i haven't experienced the problem and my skype has been closed most of the time, with occasional one minute of checking it out and closing it again. Steam and X-fire have been on almost the whole time...
I'm gonna try to reinstall skype just in case...

 

[linnemeyerhere]

You may well find a compatibility issue with a certain program open as well but I still think you've got a virus or malware.