Keys cannot type when pressed

Since yesterday I am unable to use the keyboard of my Dell Latitude. When I press keys they do not work 100 percent. Sometimes a key types, and sometimes it doesn't.
Also the behavior is random. A key is fine one second and doesn't work the next.

I first posted my problem in the malware forum. Their advice was that the logs were clean and I should post here.
I should mention that when I attach an external USB keyboard that works fine.

It shouldn't be a hardware problem. i do use my PC daily, almost. One day ago the keyboard was fine.

Heres the link to the thread I posted in the Malware forum.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=1590984#post1590984

Also the problem is with all keys like shift and Ctrl, etc.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

Hi,

Maybe make a new reply here and try and type the following sentence a few times hitting each key only once [make no corrections] to see if there is any pattern to the keys not working.

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dogs.

 

Ok see below:

Thequic brow fxued over the laz d
The quick rownfox jmped over the lazy dogs.
he quick row fox umedver the az dogs.
Te quicbrw fx umped over te lazy dgs
The quickbrown fox juedover teaz dogsThe uickrowfx umped over the azy dogsThe quic brown fox umedoer the lazy dgs.
Te quickbrw foxumpedover the lazy dgs.
he quick brwnfox jmdover the az ds.THe quicbrown foxjuped oer the azy dog

I typed above at my normal speed. The sentence I am now writing has a lot of double clicks and slow speed to get it right. Even the backspace key has to be pressed more than once. Enter key is missing out sometimes, as is space bar, shift and others.

 

I'll look it over tomorrow but at first glance it seems to suggest mechanical. I don't see any evidence of a particular key sticking and causing the problem. The far left side of the keyboard seems to work fairly well.

...All seem to work. The problem starts with the keys to the right of those. I would think if it was a loose cable connection then it would be completely random.

 

Yes that makes sense. I'll wait for your reply. Thanks.

 

It works with an external keyboard. Did mention that in my original post I think.

 

Hi Raphee and plodr,

I don't see anything new. It does look like a keyboard replacement might be in order. It is strange that it started so suddenly.

If you post your exact model laptop, a google search might show a pattern of keyboard problems. I'm willing to look but I don't hold much hope.

If you are convinced it is connected to going to that one site then you could try downloading a Live Linux CD (such as Linux Mint) and write it to a blank CD as an image file using imgburn or a similar burning software. Then boot from the CD into Linux and see how the keyboard responds in a document or Firefox internet browser. [You wouldn't install Linux just run it off the CD] Again, it still looks like a bad keyboard to me since an external runs fine.

 

This isn't so uncommon with some laptops; the connecting strips can work loose or develop cracks, often caused by heat or pressure. A new keyboard should fix it, hardware manuals are available on the Dell website. Try not to buy direct from Dell, there are many sellers that will undercut their prices by a large margin - you can probably buy one for around $20, ensure it's for your language and your exact model.

Before you order a new one, grab the stripdown manual from Dell and carefully remove and refit the current one, it might work fine afterwards or you might see definite signs of damage (I've seen some cracked connectors patched by using very small staples to make good a broken connection in the individual conductors).

 

Thanks sach2 and satrow. I asked Dell and they replaced the defective keyboard with a brand new one.
Unfortunately that does not work as well. Let me say that it has improved the missing keys by say 50 to70%. But not 100% okay.
It looks like it is a software issue.
Still needs to b diagnosed though. Can you advise further, while I wait for Dell to get back.Thanks.

Below I have copied the original text I wrote without rectifying it:

Thanks sach and sarow. I asked Dell and they replaced the defective keyboard ith a brand new one.
Unfortunately tha does nt work aswell. Let me say that it has improved the missi keys by say 50 to70%. Bu not 10% okay.
It looks ik a softwre issue.
Still needs to b diagnosed tough.Can yu advis further, while I wait for ellto getback.

 

That's what I'm leaning towards, I know how awkward it can be to get these installed correctly first time around. I'd dismantle carefully, clean the contacts and check that the connector is pressed fully home into the socket and clipped in properly.

It could be that it was replaced with another faulty board if there is a common fault with this particular model.

 

Yes, I've had these thoughts also because of the external keyboard working well.
However, Dell were convinced that it was the software. In their opinion both keyboards could not go dysfunctional. This is the new one and the old one I had on my computer.
Also they did put the new keyboard in a couple of times to check. But the problem wouldn't go away.
Btw my laptop is a Dell Latitude 620.

In any case Dell decided to go for a re installation of Windows XP. Now with the old keyboard the machine is running like a dream.
So I really cannot say what was wrong. This message is being typed from my old keyboard with new XP installed. No problems at all.
I have had the XP installed ever since I bought the machine 4 years ago. There was no need in all these years to replace it. Dell say that the Registry had too many errors due to the installation and removal of software over the years.

So guys that is it. My machine is up and running. Thanks for all your great support and help. Work has suffered in this one week. But you folks were wonderful.
Still, if you have any comments I'd like to hear them, so that I may learn what you think of the final resolution.

 

Sorry, didn't see recent post.

 

I bet you've been right more times than wrong.

Is there a manual I can get my hands on to set up frequency of use for CCleaner? Or does it it have an inbuilt tool that tells you when to run the Cleaner?
Thanks again everyone.

 

No problem Major, we privates are here to take the blame

Is there a manual I can get my hands on to set up frequency of use for CCleaner? Or does it it have an inbuilt tool that tells you when to run the Cleaner?
Thanks again everyone.

 

Thanks.