It's a Windows issue

Submitted by IronJeff on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:41am

I've seen this problem many times, and it seems to be an issue with Windows XP.

I've disabled Sticky Keys on my wife's laptop, and also disabled Sticky Keys in my Windows VM running on my Mac. The problem occurs often on the laptop, but it has happened occasionally in the VM as well.

When it happens in the VM, the keyboard continues to work fine in the host OS. proving that it isn't a dirty keyboard issue, but most likely a Windows issue (and probably unrelated to Sticky Keys).

Seems to be triggered by some key-combo involving the shift key, and mashing the keys close to the left shift eventually fixes it.

Anyone else have any luck identifying the key-combo?

 

Login or register to post comments

hmmm.....this happens

Submitted by nsk chaos on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 6:15pm

hmmm.....this happens sometime with my desktop too. im not so sure that its the key board but it might be. i usually fix this issue by rebooting my computer. hope this helps and save u a few bucks. XD

Login or register to post comments

At first I also thought it

Submitted by I Jedi on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 3:04pm

At first I also thought it was a stickie key issue. I wonder why he didn't just try a different keyboard after awhile?

Login or register to post comments

stickykeys

Submitted by anonuser on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 11:28am

My first impression was that the user wasn't familiar with stickykeys (the program) and hadn't deactivated it.  I personally disable it.  Control Panel > Accessibility Options > Keyboard > uncheck "Use StickyKeys".  There are other features that can be deactivated under the 'Settings' button.

Login or register to post comments

I'm sure he means

Submitted by QUINTIX256 on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 11:04am

replacing the keyboard on the laptop itself, not pluging in a usb keyboard. I'm not sure where you all got the idea that the Doc suggested adding a keyboard. If that is done the laptop is pretty much useless as a laptop.

http://www.google.com/products?q=HP+ZV6000+keyboard

You can have your recession. I'm not participating.

Login or register to post comments

Cheap Keyboards

Submitted by HokieTechie on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 10:35am

If all I needed were a single cheap keyboard, I would probably head to Walmart. If shipping is considered in the cost, they are likely cheaper than web vendors.

 

Login or register to post comments

Ha Ha

Submitted by Seana7a7 on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 10:23am

This is the funniest computer related question Ive ever heard.  

Login or register to post comments

Laptop keyboards may be cheap, but not easy to replace [updated]

Submitted by Marcus_Soperus on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 10:10am

The advice on diagnosing the keyboard is pretty good, but the remedy is update: not as easy as it sounds way off.

I'd add one extra diagnostic step: I'd make sure the keyboard controller hasn't gone wonky by plugging in a spare USB or PS/2 keyboard and trying it for a few minutes. If the problem persists, it points beyond the keyboard. However, it's likely the problem is confined to the onboard keyboard.

Here's the problem with the remedy: the user's running a 3-year old laptop, not a desktop. If the keyboard's shot and the user totes it around, it's going to require an OEM replacement to fix it (meaning either a trip to the repair shop or a DIY job that's a lot trickier than working inside a desktop PC). Update: These keyboards are cheaper than I thought, but working inside the unit can be tricky. Here's a link to the repair manual (PDF).

However, if the laptop never goes on the road, the advice to pick up a cheap keyboard will work out. 

It's amazing how illogical a business built on binary logic can be.

Login or register to post comments