Keyboard acts mysteriously

Hi March, I would suggest you fill in your system details as my further suggestion would be to update your M/B drivers. When did you last defrag? Run chkdisk and possibly sfc /scannow, clear temp files and anti-virus scan? the fact that you have it recurring would indicate general tidy/cleanup/checkOS - then see what happens. Cheers Neil.

 

I am just so delighted that you are still reviewing this thread. To answer questions:

Wildfire:

The program I was referring to is the installation program that came with the wireless keyboard, a Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 1000. The program came with the keyboard, I'm guessing that it included a driver for the keyboard. The program is Intellitype 6.3. It updated a previous program that I had been using with the first keyboard, also an Intellitype program. So to answer your question, yes, I had an Intellitype program with the first (wired USB keyboard) but an earlier version.

Incidentally, I worked a whole day with the PS2 keyboard, and had no incidence of the keyboard misbehaving. I so missed my hot keys though on the Microsoft's keyboard, that I tried an experiment. I went back to the Microsoft wireless 1000, but connected it to a USB hub on a different USB terminal from the one the keyboards had been connected to. I love having the functions back, and using the keyboard on a different USB connection have not yet had any characterizations other than the keys I stroked. (Of course I only used the PS2 keyboard for about 4 hours, and the wireless keyboard for about 6 hours, so I can't determine what will happen long term.)

To Neil: I'm afraid that I don't know what M/B is. Tell me please what it is. I did defrag the C drive a month ago. I ran check disc as Wildfire suggested by clicking on the C drive, and it did not report any anomalies I do run a virus scan weekly, and clear temp files, but I don't know about sfc /scannow. What is it?

Paul

 

Hi Paul,

Early days but keep us informed.

M/B : Motherboard.
SFC : System File Checker, I'd leave this for the moment but the motherboard drivers is a good point and should be followed.

To add your system details to your profile...

If this is your main system it would be helpful if you add your system details to your profile. Please click on the link and follow those instructions it could save some time when resolving this or further issues.

A common error is to forget to show your system details in your profile

If you do add your system specifications be sure to do the above

 

Thanks Wildfire. I just thought something maybe out of order and creating confusion in the write process. Neil.

 

Thanks so much Wildfire for the tipo on adding system information. That SIW program you referred me to made getting the information easy, and I wasn't aware before of adding the information to my profile.

Incidentally, I reconnected the wireless keyboard through a different set of USB ports and so far have not had that syndrome reoccur.

Paul

 

You forgot the last step

A common error is to forget to show your system details in your profile

If you do add your system specifications be sure to do the above

Fingers crossed, with any luck the drivers just needed reinstalling (switching to another USB port would do that).

 

Thanks again, and again, and again Wildfire. Eventually I'll understand how to use this site. By the way, when replying, what is the purpose of the "Quote" link? Paul

 

As you can see, it quotes the post you're replying to. And before you ask yes I can see your system details now

 

What stage are you at now march?

As wildfire suggested, look at uninstalling the programs associated with the keyboard. Look carefully through Add or Remove Programs, could there be any other software installed for keyboards or HIDs (Human Interface Devices)? The keyboard should work without any program installed. Once it is working correctly, then you can try installing the program for the latest keyboard and get your hotkeys working again.

Don't rule out that it may be malware, do some online antimalware checks (there is one at the TrendMicro website).

I would look at the software/programs that "manage" the keyboard/HIDs.

Matt

 

Appreciate your asking Matt. Since switching the USB port I have not had the syndrome return, and have the Microsoft program that came with the keyboard running so I have functionality with it.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and marking this problem as solved. I do want to thank everyone, and especially Wildfire whjo was helpful in educating me about using this site.

Paul

 

The key stroking function has gone bad again, this time a bit different than the last time. During the course of a session when the keys produced normal characters, I went to type a file label. The keys did not work at all. When I pressed "enter" it produced 3 characters c76. I then pressed backspace and it produced cx. I tried these two keys multiple times with the same result each time. No other keys produced any characters at all. I tried the numeric keypad, but got no character, not even with the enter key on the numeric keypad. I engaged the number lock key, but the keypad still produced nothing.

I finally deleted the keyboard driver (fortunately I was able to call up DEVMGMT.MSC with the mouse.) I tried letting Windows reinstall the MS wireless keyboard, and it did install the driver, but the keyboard didn't work any better; which is of course not at all.

I deleted the driver again put the PS 2 keyboard back on and was able to resume key stroking. I checked the drivers in System hardware, and found that both drivers were installed. Interestingly now the wireless keyboard worked again, and the PS 2 keyboard is also working. I am going to try leaving both installed, and if the strange syndrome occurs again (and my gut feeling is that it will) I'll have the PS 2 keyboard attached to see if the syndrome affects both, or perhaps at least not have to shut down in the middle of something.

Paul