Weird Keyboard Problem - keys 'changing'

My girlfriend has a Lenovo N200 3000 laptop

Sometimes and for no apparent reason when using the following keys i get odd things happening. The laptop is about 6 months old. Bought from new and the keypad is spotlessly clean never had anything spilt on it etc.. Language settings are for UK keyboard etc

Press k and i get =k
Press a and i get 'a
Press s and s appears and also opens a help window
Press f and i get 5f
Press j and i get 6j

If i press the shift key then the a and k work fine with no odd characters but capitalised. The s still opens a help window and the other keys f and j still play up

I have run Kaspersky, Trend, Fsecure, Spyware doctor, spybot and various other antivirus / spyware programs. Apart from some advertising cookies none of the above have found anything serious ( i was expecting a Trojan key remapper or something ).

Help anyone please its driving me insane

 

Possibly a problem with the membrane under the keys or a loose keyboard connection?

Have you tried using a seperate keyboard to see if the problem persists?

If an external keyboard works ok then given the laptops only 6 months old I'd take it back and get it repaired under warranty.

 

Have you changed all the settings in Regional to UK? There are various settings under the tabs and buttons (use Remove for any original keyboard settings).

Find the keypad in Device Manger and uninstall it, it will be automatically reinstalled when you reboot.

Look at any software that was installed for the keypad. Go to Add or Remove Programs and look for a program that influences the keypad. (We are talking about the keypad as opposed to an external keyboard, right?) Often (as far as I know) for a laptop, the software covers the HID's (Human Interface Devices), so it may run/control/help(?) the touchpad and the keypad. It may also cause problems if it is not working correctly

Look for updated software/drivers for the keypad at Lenovo.

To rule out a hardware problem, try booting into Safe Mode and using it there.

Matt

 

Has an external keyboard and it's software been installed previously? Keep checking

 

Hi there.. My girlfreimd used an ex keyboard once the problem started. Its more of an intermittent problem. But the funny thing is when the keyboard is removed from the laptop and held away from the laptop but still connected via data cable the keypad works just fine.. As soon as i sit it back on the laptop in its proper position it plays up again...

 

It could be an overheating problem or an insulation problem. Given that it's intermittent I'd guess it is a hardware issue.

I'll stick with my original recomendation and return it for repair, if that's too much hassle you could try buying a new keyboard (www.partmaster.co.uk could help - UK Based), but if the laptop overheating is the problem a new keypad may not resolve the issue.

Only other thing I can think of is Malware but that wouldn't explain why the kaypad worked OK when removed from the casing and I've never heard of malware with those particular symptoms.

 

Thanks all..

Its going in for repair / examination this weekend, i'll post what is found

 

Right, took it to The Laptop Workshop ( http://www.laptopworkshop.com ) in Sussex. 70 mile trip each way. Walked in and found out the problem was a hardware one. The keyboard was knackered. £53 for replacement keypad, fitted for nothing. Very helpful and done without any fuss whatsoever, I was in there no more than 10 mins and all done.
Turned out they are distributers for the keyboards so had several in stock. The man behind counter said Lenovo not a bad Laptop at all ( in fact they had one on thier till as in his words "Good work horse " )...
Anyway WELL HAPPY and worth the 2.5 hours in the car

Thanks all for your posts re this.

 

53 quid sounds a bit steep to me (I'd suggest the free fitting wasn't quite factual ) but if you're happy then why not.

Good to hear your problems sorted though.