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Keyboard Hassles

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by Tofa, Nov 11, 2008.

  1. Tofa Gems: 7/31
    Latest gem: Tchazar


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    [​IMG] Hey!

    I recently got a new computer, and an AOpen keyboard was included. For the first few weeks it worked fine, then, all of a sudden, certain keys started exacting functions instead of typing the associated letters. 'd' for example, would take me to my desktop, and hide my rocketdocket. 'l' would log me out. 'c' just wouldn't do anything. not all of the keys did this, but even one can be pretty annoying.

    I managed to temporarily (like 30 seconds) solve the problem for a few of the keys by pushing ctrl and the window key next to it (the one that takes you to the desktop). But, after a bit, the keys stop functioning again.

    I'm not sure, but it may help to know that I started getting pop-ups relating to voicing (speakers playing audio of what you click on, where your mouse is, etc) around the same time this started happening.

    I don't think this is a keyboard error, but rather a function (albeit an annoying one) that I somehow enabled?

    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
     
  2. Silvery

    Silvery I won't pretend to be your friend coz I'm just not ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    Try going to www.fixya.com They have all kinds of trouble shooting methods there but you will need to know what model your keyboard is
     
  3. Montresor

    Montresor Mostly Harmless Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder

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    It looks like the "d" and "l" keys are acting as if the Windows key was pressed (WIN+d = show desktop; WIN+l = Log off).

    A wild thought: Have you activated any of the Accessibility Options by accident? Try looking in the Control Panel -> Accessibility; for example, StickyKeys. The trouble with speakers playing sounds could be due to your having activated SoundSentry or ShowSounds under the Sound tab.
     
  4. Tofa Gems: 7/31
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    I checked but the sticky keys aren't activated. There aren't any noises or sounds at the moment, its just that the box regarding voicing text popped up when my keyboard started acting up.

    Is it possible that I pushed some combination of keys which make the win key act as if it's held down? Like ctrl win or something? If so, surely repeating the process should fix it...
     
  5. Montresor

    Montresor Mostly Harmless Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder

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    It sounds as if the Windows key is "hanging". I don't know of any function that would do this.

    If you have another keyboard, does the computer work normally with that? Then the Windows key could be shorted on the first keyboard. :(
     
  6. Tofa Gems: 7/31
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    yeah I'm using a different keyboard at the moment and it works fine. the thing is, when this happened a few weeks ago I switched keyboards for like a week, then when I plugged in my new keyboard to try it out again, it worked fine. 'Til today :) I'll try plug it in again tomorrow and see if there's any developments. thanks for the help so far!
     
  7. Munchkin Blender Gems: 22/31
    Latest gem: Sphene


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    Go pick up another keyboard; you can get one for around $10.
     
  8. Morgoth

    Morgoth La lune ne garde aucune rancune Veteran

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    I paid a single euro for my keyboard. Even without taking the price into consideration it's the best keyboard I've ever had!

    Edit:
    Oh right, I guess I should tell what kind of a keyboard it is. It's a simple PS/2 thing with absolutely no hot-keys. I demolished the previous keyboard in a fit of rage because *someone* at HP had the brilliant idea of putting the Sleep hot-key near the Escape button :rolleyes:.
     
  9. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    Best performing keyboards IMO, and I recommend them to everyone, are from Cherry. Sturdy, durable no frills stuff. And relatively cheap, too (from 10 € or so upwards). Some of their models are even coffee proof. I can testify to that.

    My current Logitech G15 is a luxury. Wouldn't it be for the supremely cool backlit keys I'd probably have stuck to Cherry.
     
  10. Munchkin Blender Gems: 22/31
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    My favorite keyboard is an IBM keyboard; the type that when you press the button down it took some good hard finger hitting due to how it was setup. I had one of those keyboards on my prior PC until I rebuilt a new system in 2005. My old keyboard lasted me through 4 if not 5 PCs. It was a very basic PS2 and did exactly what I wanted out of a keyboard. I believe Lenovo, IBM, still might make that keyboard.
     
  11. Tofa Gems: 7/31
    Latest gem: Tchazar


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    Yeah I'm using my old keyboard at the moment, and it hasn't ever given me any hassles. It's just that I only got the new keyboard a month ago, so if it is faulty, that's a bit of a shame. You also may be interested to note that any price you give me will probably have to be timesed by at least 10 due to the South African exchange rate. The hardware here doesn't come that cheap, but I could find a deal if I looked I'm sure.
     
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