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Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

#1
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8/15/08 at 12:51pm
  • Joined: June 2001
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I know this is a longshot, but what the heck...

I recently had to re-install Vista on my six-month-old Dell laptop. Everything is working fine except the keyboard.

When typing, something crazy will happen every 10-15 characters or so. Typically, the cursor will jump up a line or two. Sometime it will jump back to a spot earlier on the same line. Sometimes it will open a new window. Sometimes it will open the 'save as' dialogue box. Etc., etc.

I've spent time paying close attention while typing, trying to find some pattern. Here is what I've concluded so far:
  • It happens only when I type fairly rapidly; when typing very slow, it seems to work fine.
  • It is not limited to a specific character or characters.
  • The oddball behavior seems totally random, other than it occurs around every 10-15 strokes.
  • My fat hands are not accidentally hitting something; it happens even when I'm careful to use fingertips only.
Here's what I've done to try to correct the problem:
  • Sprayed the hell out of the keyboard with canned air.
  • Temporarily uninstalled the Bluetooth wireless mouse.
  • Fiddled with the keyboard and mouse settings in control panel.
Something tells me I'm going to end up shipping it back to Dell. I haven't tried Dell Support yet - I suppose that's next - but I'm not optimistic.

Any thoughts at all?

Thanks,

Jon
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#2
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8/15/08 at 6:15pm
  • Joined: June 1999
  • Location: Central Arkansas
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

Sounds like the keyboard harness connector may be loose. If you're feeling technically handy, you can try opening the unit and reseating the keyboard connector. If it's under warranty, you might just want to have it checked out by an authorized service center.
My Collection
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#3
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8/28/08 at 11:26am
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

Update:

Just spent 45 minutes on the horn with Dell support. We accomplished absolutely nothing. After allowing him to share my computer, he could not duplicate the weirdness (it did happen when I tried, though). He said to work with it for a few hours, then call him back if the problem persists.

Of course it's going to persist, we have changed nothing.

Here's what I've found in the meantime:

Lots of questions about the issue on the internet, very few answers.

The cursor jumps to wherever the pointer happens to be resting at that point (if I place the mouse pointer at the beginning of the line, for example, then continue typing my sentence, the text - as I'm typing - will jump back to the beginning).

This happens in all programs.

I've connected a wired keyboard and it works perfectly.

I guess my question is this: does this seem like a hardware or software problem??

Also note that the problem seems to have begun after I re-installed Vista.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Jon
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#4
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8/28/08 at 12:24pm
  • Joined: March 1999
  • Location: NJ
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

This is a wireless keyboard then.... and a wired keyboard works fine. Perhaps it is some kind of interference with some other device? Or even another user, do you live in an apartment complex?

just some thoughts anyway...

Jay

You are the crispy noodle in the vegetarian salad of life

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#5
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8/28/08 at 2:28pm
  • Joined: December 2004
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

If it didn't happen with the dell remote connection but happens with your local keyboard - then it sounds like a hardware issue. Have you tried a different keyboard? Is the "Alt" key sticking and giving commands at weird times? Just reaching here.
Cave Country Weather
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#6
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8/29/08 at 2:46am
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

Quote:
This is a wireless keyboard then....

It is a laptop; when I connect an external keyboard through the USB, that works fine.

Quote:
it sounds like a hardware issue.

Sure seems that way to me, except that it started after I re-installed my OS (which I don't want to do again).

Jon
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#7
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8/29/08 at 6:10am
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

Have you searched for updated drivers? (Grasping at straws here.)
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#8
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8/29/08 at 6:39pm
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

I called support back, using the direct extension I was given. Not available. I left a message for them to call me. That has not happened.

Quote:
Have you searched for updated drivers?

Nope, have not done this. Sounds like it's worth a shot, though.

I appreciate all the suggestions.

Jon
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#9
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8/30/08 at 8:29am
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

I know its not humorous to you, but its humourous to me that when the tech couldn't duplicate the issue he declared it fixed - in this case, him not being able to duplicate it remotely (eg eliminating the hardware from the equation and only using software) should have been a crystal clear signal that the keyboard hardware was extremely suspect.

I'd try a driver update (or even downgrade) and maybe a little technical tap while its off, but I agree with Clinton that its probably a loose connector or a short somewhere. If it was out of warranty, opening up a dell is pretty easy (their support site has step by step instructions) and if it was worse than just a loose connector you can easily and cheaply get replacement keyboards on Ebay for practically every laptop imaginable. But you wouldnt want to violate your warranty terms.

Dell has some extremely good forums on their support site, you might try posting your experience over there, as sometimes they will give you either a fix or a direct number to a tech who isn't a complete idiot.
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#10
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8/30/08 at 4:34pm
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

When I connect an external, USB-connected keyboard to this computer, it works perfectly. I believe this definitely indicates it is a hardware problem with the laptop's keyboard.

Is this a solid assumption?

Jon
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#11
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8/30/08 at 7:04pm
  • Joined: October 2000
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

I agree that it is a hardware problem. Find online instructions for your specific model and open the unit up. Check the ribbon connector. I bet that is the problem. I have swapped out a few keyboards over the years on different units and it is quite easy to do.
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#12
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8/31/08 at 12:02am
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

Just a thought, but could it be that you're touching ever so slightly the trackpad with your hands/fingers, and thus reposition the cursor? I had that problem once on a MacBook, I was slightly touching the machine with my hands, and since it was interpreted like a mouse button click, it would position the cursor to where the mouse pointer was. Luckily I could configure the trackpad to not interpret touches as a mouse click.

-Christian

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." (Benjamin Franklin)

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#13
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8/31/08 at 1:29pm
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

Quote:
Find online instructions for your specific model and open the unit up.

Nah...don't want to void the warranty.

Quote:
could it be that you're touching ever so slightly the trackpad with your hands/fingers, and thus reposition the cursor?

I thought this was the most likely possibility at first, but after some careful testing, I've scratched it off my list. The problem occurs even when I am super careful to type with my fingertips only and keep my paws far away from the touchpad.

Interestingly, though, it does not seem to happen when I type very slowly.

Jon

Jon
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#14
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9/1/08 at 4:40pm
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Re: Laptop keyboard has a mind of its own

Yee-Haw, looks like I've solved it.

Christian, you wuz right after all. I was brushing against the touchpad with my hands.

I found this out by disabling the touchpad, which was not a walk in the park by itself. It was necessary to download and install a new keyboard driver, which then presented all kinds of options for the touchpad which were previously unavailable.

Now I have a nice little icon resting on my taskbar which makes it easy for me to get the little bugger to do my bidding.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Jon
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