Stupid keyboard problem

There are no stupid users, only stupid problems...

On a laptop, this morning, keyboard wouldn't work beyond login - that is, you could type your password in, but once logged on, the keyboard stopped working. fixed that now...

However, now, when user is typing in a document - any type of document, excel, word, email, Run..., whatever, all the keys work fine, including shift and caps lock. Apart from the letter m... If typed normally, it's fine. Hold down the right shift key, and the letter m, the windows secondary menu appears. Left shift + m works fine, but only one letter, if you try to type more, it deletes previous M, and types a new one. Caps lock + M works fine though, but it keeps deleting the space between the last letter and the M.

Any ideas?

 

I don't think it's to do with drivers - drivers load prior to login, during windows start up. Keyboard works fine when you try to logon, it's after that it seems to go.
Now, however, I'm suspecting hardware problems - did a clean install of Windows, problem is still there.

 

Ok if the you say it isn't a driver problem because the keyboard works when you login and its only an issue after that, what makes you think its a hardware problem. ?

 

Because two things are happening:
a) Every 4th or 5th time when computer is switched on, keyboard is absolutely fine. No problems at all. Except, after 10 minutes, keyboard will stop responding completely.
b) Every other time, keys work by themselves. Typing "m" produces "m". typing "v" produces "v". HOwever, hold down shift, "Shift-M" produces context sensitive rightclick menu, "Shift+V" produces "$V", couple of other letters produce random results, but for example "Shift+A" produces "A" as it should.

So to me, it feels like contact problem. HOwever, laptop is out of warranty, and therefore, i want to see if i can repair it (I do work in the IT Support team after all...)

 

Ooops, double post.

 

Sounds like a keyboard mapping issue, Shift-M with context menu etc. Did you ACTUALLY try reinstalling the drivers?

 

Is it a Toshiba laptop?

Steve

 

Good call, it's a toshiba tecra a2.

 

Hold down the Fn key, tap the CTRL key down, and then release Fn.

See if that does anything.

Steve

 

Tried it, doesn't do anything. I've also taken the keyboard out, and plugging it back in, but that didn't achieve anything either.

 

er is this a laptop or not ? ... did we try reinstalling the drivers yet ?

 

This is a laptop, yes, I've not only reinstalled drivers, I've also clean installed a copy of windows. I do work in IT for a reason

 

Just checking.... I did mention it a while back and figure it only takes 10 seconds so might as well be worth a shot! going from a driver to a clean xp install might have been a bit overkill though lol

 

I know, but as an IT department, we have a policy, that when we finish installing a laptop, and it's still completely clean, and unattached to the network - just after windows with sp2 has been isntalled, all the programs, etc, we take an image of it, which in case of reload, can just be loaded, saving us a lot of time.

So it was no big deal, and the laptop was due for a fresh windows anyway

 

Check for a "sticky" ALT key.

Steve

 

Checked. No

 

Do you have a USB mouse attached?

Steve

 

Occasionally, but problems exists with or without usb mouse.

 

Maybe check Toshiba's website for any updates for that model. Can't think of anything else that might help.

Steve

 

Done, and dusted I really do think there's an underlying hardware problem, rather than software - using an external keyboard is absolutely fine, and I've noticed that the buttons that are effected are close to each other. For example, on that keyboard, the ~ line is next to the V, and shift-v produces ~V.
Ah well, I'll just have to send laptop in for repair...

 

OK. Good website below and has a ton of info on Toshiba's.

http://www.laptoprepairguy.com/

Steve

 

I have a keyboard problem. The device driver for HP PS2 keyboard (2K-3) is preventing the machine from entering standby. Is there an easier way to find the driver update than HP. That seems like looking for a needle in ... I have an HP Pavillion a 720n 3200+ AMD Athlon XP

 

Thank you, I will try that.

 

I have tried this, but I cannot find power management in either the keyboard or mouse under device manager

 

I do not have that tab