Resolved Bizarre Keyboard Issue

I am having an odd problem with my laptop keyboard and was very much hoping someone here might be able to help.

I think it's actually more of a "software" issue, but this seemed like the most appropriate place to post this. Apologies to the Mods if they feel it's in the wrong section.

My page-up/up-arrow key has ceased to work. As a matter of fact, when I am typing, when I hit it, rather than moving the cursor it simply types the letter "u." When I am within a web browser and trying to scroll with the keyboard keys, all the other ones respond except for the up-key. All other keys work normally.

I have a feeling I accidentally "locked" it into this mode somehow, but I have no idea how. Thoughts?

I am running Windows Vista and as best as I can tell, the keyboard is set to US English so that doesn't appear to be the issue. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Hi JMTulip, more info please. Make - model of laptop. Neil.

 

It's a Sager 9280. Essentially this identical setup: http://www.pctorque.com/sager-9280-gaming-computers.php

Thanks.

 

Have you checked Function Key operation hasn't caused this problem? Neil.

 

It doesn't appear to be helping. I have tried toggling it several times to little avail. Though I have noticed that when I hold "Fn" and hit the up-arrow key it'll perform the same function as the left-arrow key. It's quite odd.

 

Have you rebooted? Have you run malware scans?

I think I would try an external keyboard and see what it does.

 

I should do a malware scan though I think it's unlikely. I have rebooted several times. Guess I'll have to try another keyboard.

Thanks for the help.

 

you might find a solution here:

http://www.5starsupport.com/faq/keyboard.htm

or here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/258826

or here:

http://jtsang.mvps.org/flock.html

hope one of them work

hawk22

 

Hi JMTulip, My laptop (Compaq Presario 1700) has an earlier small US keyboard, and I see from your link that your Up and Down and Left and Right keys are also PgUp and PgDn and Home and End keys.

I have Up/Dn L/R keys on lower Right of keyboard and Home /PgUp /PgDn /End are on the extreme Right of keyboard. Mine all work OK and I can't get a U when I type.

I would suspect as Bill suggested that if you try another keyboard USB/PS2 and there is no problem - you may have a faulty keyboard or dirt around the keys.

It might pay to go to Manufacturers web site and see if there are any patches or BIOS updates before condemning the keyboard.

Incidentally, my keyboard had the 'B' pad missing when i got it (2nd Hand) and I bought a keyboard on Trademe for $13.00 which works 100%.
Cheers Neil.

 

Thanks much guys. It hasn't been more than a bit of an annoying quirk so far. I'll probably just look into getting a cheap stand alone keyboard. Thanks.

 

Sorry we couldn't put a finger on the answer, but if you are resigned to your next action, please don't forget to mark this as Resolved. Cheers Neil.

 

No promises that will work. If the notebook keyboard itself is bad, then an exterior keyboard may work. But if the problem is with the keyboard buffer - typically a section of memory controlled by the chipset/BIOS to store the last 16 keystrokes. I don't normally like resetting the BIOS on a notebook, but that may be necessary if the second keyboard fails. I would try to borrow one before spending money on one - even though many are pretty inexpensive.