Virus or Hard Drive issues?

[Mwawr]

I am using a Gateway laptop which came with Windows 7. Over the past few months I have been having a problem with +, 9, and / signs appearing where ever a textbox is available. I cannot make the signs stop, when I delete them they are immediately replaced. Alternatively, when I start up my laptop it is accompanied by a loud beeping noise which will not stop unless I'm in certain screens, I assume screens where the keyboard is disabled.

Though I had issue with the laptop, I managed to install Ubuntu, a dual boot, essentially and though I will get random signs appearing on this OS, I can stop them. Once I stop them, they do not return.

Recently I wiped my laptop, losing Ubuntu and reinstalled Win7, but the problem remained, making my laptop completely inaccessible until I reinstalled Ubuntu.

When I wiped it, there was always at least one partition which I could not format and one was always automatically created.

Does this sound like a Virus or a Hard Drive issue to you? what steps can be taken to solve the issue?

Please note:

I uninstalled the keyboard, am using a usb one as the one that came with my laptop ceased to function, and I went for a month or so without a firewall.

 

[richc46]

Lets try several things
Run your anti virus
Download and run malwarebytes.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Negative so far
Then go to the website of the HardDrive manufacturer and take the hard drive test. This should answer the question, without guessing.

 

[Mwawr]

Unfortunately I cannot access Windows to run it. I did have Kapersky on it, after the problem started and it turned up nothing.

 

[richc46]

Can you use safe mode?

 

[Mwawr]

It doesn't help. When the Windows login screen comes up the password box immediately fills with + signs.

 

[vicvic]

are you using a external mouse or keyboard

 

[Mwawr]

An external keyboard and the touchpad.

 

[Petey7]

I doesn't sound like the HDD, but it is a hardware problem. Those beeps you hear is the BIOS POST (Power On Self Test) failing. Is the computer under any kind of warranty?

 

[Mwawr]

No, is there another option to fixing it?

 

[vicvic]

I had an issue last year with the ++++ - try unplugging it. If it is a microsoft keyboard.

My issue was that i had a microsoft wireless key board and mouse. Windows would update the driver and it sent the machine into fits until they where unplugged.

good luck

 

[Mwawr]

So, if the keyboard shorted out, as seems to be implied, why should it not occur as frequently and with as much severity on Ubuntu?

 

[Mwawr]

And VicVic, it's a problem with the keyboard my laptop came with.

 

[Petey7]

If you can tell me the exact model of the laptop and the country you live in I can find a keyboard for you online.

In the mean time, you might be able to find instructions on how to remove your keyboard online. I would try removing the keyboard, making sure the connector for it is dust and dirt free, and then put it back in. Sometimes simple stuff like this can fix the strangest of problems.

 

[Mwawr]

Alright, my model is MS2285 (It also says on another line NV5994u, but I'm unsure if it's relevant. I live in America.
Thanks, everyone for your help.

 

[Petey7]

I found what might be the manual for your computer, but I can't get it to load for some reason. Try to see if you can get it to load. Or if you have the original manual, that would be even better. It should have instructions on how to remove and replace your keyboard. I'm having trouble actually finding a replacement keyboard online.

 

[vicvic]

Petey seems to be on the right path. The keyboard might be still partly live causing the keys to be pressed.

Keyboards in laptops are easy to change or you could just disconnect it from the board until you buy get a new one. Make sure that you take care as there are little funny clips that you don't want to break.