re: a problem with a wireless keyboard

This is a HP Presario C700 laptop, OS Win7 Home 32bit. I got the wireless keyboard/mouse because of problems the cursor doing random jumps while I type and random numbers and letters been placed were they don't belong. like a ghost had control of the laptop. Tonight I was typing a new post on the wireless keyboard. Part of the sentence was "when the swr/power meter". When l looked up I had "when the swr/poweeeeeeeeeeeeeermeter" When I tried to use the backspace key to clean up the mess. The backspace button came up but the backspace was still erasing everything that I typed. I had to restart the post again. What gives?

Steve

Hello, Steve, and welcome for SevenForums.com! We would love to help you!

Just to clarify a few points for me and others if you don't mind:

1. How long has this problem been going on, and when did it start? Does this coincide with any other software you have installed? Updates? Anything else? And was the system working fine previously?
2. The wireless keyboard (USB I assume) is acting pretty much exactly the same way the built-in on-board keyboard is, am I right?
3. By "like a ghost had control of the laptop", you mean exclusively when you're using it, not when you're away, correct?
4. Are certain letters acting this way more often than others, like the "e" in your example?
5. Might "Sticky Keys" be active? Are you aware of what I'm talking about?
6. Have you tried to type in command prompt by pressing the (Start) button and typing "cmd.exe" without the quotes, and then try typing for a little while in the command prompt environment? Does the problem persist under this window in the same way?
7. You might want to try the onscreen keyboard to rule out a few possibilities. To try this press the (start) button and type "osk.exe" without the quotes.
8. What type of anti-malware protection do you use?

There IS an integrated circuit (IC) that translates/controls/decodes the keyboard's serial output which can affect the keyboard(s) if it is faulty. It might behoove you to try another keyboard on the off chance it's a coincidence, however unlikely. Especially if your keyboard is new and returnable/exchangeable!

Have you tried cleaning the keyboards? A bottle of canned air can work miracles many times, especially if you notice certain keys doing it more often than others.

Also if keys like control or alt are problematic it can cause weird jumps and other seemingly strange actions when you're typing.

Try using a different program if you usually use a particular program to type things up. And I'm assuming you've tried restarting the computer!

Let us know what you can.

Thanks for your post!
Mike :)

1. I got the wireless keyboard/mouse on Oct 1st. 1. because of were the sound in/out jacks are placed. Right under were my left hand rests when using the left hand CTRL and ALT keys and so on are. 2. that corner of the laptop was heating up. It was getting rather uncomfortable. The heat problem was making the laptop do (there is that sticky key bit again fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffnny, and sometimes I have to bang on a key to make it register) funny things. I solved the heat problem with 2 things. A small exhaust fan attached on the laptops air exhaust port and a cooling pad with fans under the laptop 3. certain game key cmd's weren't working on the built in keyboard because of the number pad that is inbeded in the built in keyboard.

2. At 1st the wireless keyboard was fine. No problems. Then it started doing the samething as the internal keyboard.

3. About the ghost hand bit. Mostly when I am using the keyboard. It will do it sometimes when I bump the table just right.

4. Yes certain letters act this way more often than others.

5. I haven't checked the "Sticky Keys" control. I know of it but I haven't messed with it in a while and I don't remember were it is.

6. No I haven't seen the problem in the command prompt environment. Sometimes I have to use the command prompt to change control settings in the SDR radio dongles that I have.

7. No problems with the on screen keyboard.

8. No anti-malware protection installed. I do have Zone Alarm anti virus/firewall installed

rubyrubyroo said:

Hello, Steve, and welcome for SevenForums.com! We would love to help you!

Just to clarify a few points for me and others if you don't mind:

1. How long has this problem been going on, and when did it start? Does this coincide with any other software you have installed? Updates? Anything else? And was the system working fine previously?
2. The wireless keyboard (USB I assume) is acting pretty much exactly the same way the built-in on-board keyboard is, am I right?
3. By "like a ghost had control of the laptop", you mean exclusively when you're using it, not when you're away, correct?
4. Are certain letters acting this way more often than others, like the "e" in your example?
5. Might "Sticky Keys" be active? Are you aware of what I'm talking about?
6. Have you tried to type in command prompt by pressing the (Start) button and typing "cmd.exe" without the quotes, and then try typing for a little while in the command prompt environment? Does the problem persist under this window in the same way?
7. You might want to try the onscreen keyboard to rule out a few possibilities. To try this press the (start) button and type "osk.exe" without the quotes.
8. What type of anti-malware protection do you use?

There IS an integrated circuit (IC) that translates/controls/decodes the keyboard's serial output which can affect the keyboard(s) if it is faulty. It might behoove you to try another keyboard on the off chance it's a coincidence, however unlikely. Especially if your keyboard is new and returnable/exchangeable!

Have you tried cleaning the keyboards? A bottle of canned air can work miracles many times, especially if you notice certain keys doing it more often than others.

Also if keys like control or alt are problematic it can cause weird jumps and other seemingly strange actions when you're typing.

Try using a different program if you usually use a particular program to type things up. And I'm assuming you've tried restarting the computer!

Let us know what you can.

Thanks for your post!
Mike :)

Thank you very much for your detailed responses, reble!! :)

If you have access to another keyboard (friend's or whatever) I would try to rule out the possibility of a coincidence. It's unlikely, but the alternative is not “kwite*” as simple and carries no guarantees!

Also might prove beneficial to test the new wireless on another computer and see if the problem is reproducible there - if so, this would definitely prove that the problem is at least IN PART due to that keyboard.

I would also recommend trying to check the keys for debris or any damage to the key/pad itself.

These seem like they would be unlikely solutions given the results you provided though. But again much easier than your other options.

You also might want to see if the problem completely goes away if you try booting from another OS like Ubuntu, where you DON'T actually need to install the OS (it's a linex-based OS), but rather boot the OS directly from the CD/DVD. If there is absolutely no problems there then you could rule out any hardware for the most part!

Beyond that, assuming the system is not still under warranty, you may need to replace the keyboard...and cross your finders it's not the MOBO. The external keyboard COULD actually have the same issue because of either the keyboard or the integrated circuit chip that interprets the serial communication from the keyboard's encoded data output.

Have you had any spills on the keyboard? I actually spilled some wine on my wireless keyboard the night after I replied to you and now I can't type the letter to the left of "w" (*) and a few keys stick occasionally too now. If this happened and it hasn't been too long, it's possible to clean the contacts, but it you just bought the wireless keyboard, return it or exchange it if possible!

Let me know, I'm glad to help you through any part of what I've described above or answer any further kw-uestions you might have!

Mike :)

Today I exchanged the wireless keyboard/mouse at Biglots for a new one. So far there hasn't been a lick of trouble other then my own bone head typing errors like hitting 2 keys at 1 time. I guess only time will tell whether or not the problem is cured.

rubyrubyroo said:

Thank you very much for your detailed responses, reble!! :)

If you have access to another keyboard (friend's or whatever) I would try to rule out the possibility of a coincidence. It's unlikely, but the alternative is not “kwite*” as simple and carries no guarantees!

Also might prove beneficial to test the new wireless on another computer and see if the problem is reproducible there - if so, this would definitely prove that the problem is at least IN PART due to that keyboard.

I would also recommend trying to check the keys for debris or any damage to the key/pad itself.

These seem like they would be unlikely solutions given the results you provided though. But again much easier than your other options.

You also might want to see if the problem completely goes away if you try booting from another OS like Ubuntu, where you DON'T actually need to install the OS (it's a linex-based OS), but rather boot the OS directly from the CD/DVD. If there is absolutely no problems there then you could rule out any hardware for the most part!

Beyond that, assuming the system is not still under warranty, you may need to replace the keyboard...and cross your finders it's not the MOBO. The external keyboard COULD actually have the same issue because of either the keyboard or the integrated circuit chip that interprets the serial communication from the keyboard's encoded data output.

Have you had any spills on the keyboard? I actually spilled some wine on my wireless keyboard the night after I replied to you and now I can't type the letter to the left of "w" (*) and a few keys stick occasionally too now. If this happened and it hasn't been too long, it's possible to clean the contacts, but it you just bought the wireless keyboard, return it or exchange it if possible!

Let me know, I'm glad to help you through any part of what I've described above or answer any further kw-uestions you might have!

Mike :)

reble, always keep in mind when buying from Biglots that most of the stuff they sell is straight out of a train wreck or truck crash.

Yes Cyclops I know. But I only had $23. and change to get one. With all my monthly bills and having to get a good used tranny for my minivan now. I couldn't justify a higher priced one at let's say Best Buy. I am just thanking God that the tranny blew out only a few blocks from home. Only a week before the trip that we had table reservations for at the Amateur Radio swap meet in Spokane, Wa. About a 3 hour drive 1 way. I still have a garage full of all kinds of radio gear and parts to be sold. I was making the rounds of the local yard sales. You never know what kinds of treasures that one might find.

This is a IHome wireless keyboard/mouse. I 2 like Logitech better. But I have to make do with what I can afford right now.

linnemeyerhere said:

reble,
Glad to hear the replacement keyboard is responding better. I'm a huge fan of Logitech wireless keyboards and mice. A premium keyboard will greatly enhance speed, accuracy and overall pleasure. I'm using wireless illuminated Logitech model K800's (3) and then I have a solar powered non illuminated and a crazy great usb wired illuminated board. All are quiet and the back light is worth hundreds when typing in the dark as I'm doing at the moment.