Windows login screen snafu

Hello,
I'm pretty sure that this is probably malware related. I have done all sorts of things to try and diagnose on my own. Running online virus scans, running my symantec, running regrun, ccleaner, spybot search and destroy, on and on. So hopefully someone has seen this, so I'll know what can be done.

I run a Dell Latitude D600 laptop with XP. It is SP 2 updated. It is generally ok, and I can deal with a little bit of lag, but what is driving me nuts is that when I start up and sign in, whether from a restart or from the screen saver, half the time I will just click in the box, and letters (little black circles) will appear. I hit the 'r' two circles, backspace, three new circles, 'd', ten or so. The exact keys aren't important, and they always change, but what is important that I can't type in the real password. If I click off of the screen name and then back on, sometimes it will work, sometimes not. Other times I reset the computer with a coin toss of success. I am afraid that this will denigrate to not being able to even access my windows. Has anybody seen anything like this? Thank you.

 

Thank you for the reply. No I have not, but the hardware forum seems to think that's the best solution. You see no other source to the problem? Like how to make the keyboard stop registering letters I never touched?

 

I found a webpage with suggestions for four different levels of keyboard cleaning (Quick, Thorough, Drastic and Desperate):

http://mindprod.com/bgloss/keyboardcleaning.html

If you got garlic juice (and maybe tiny pieces of garlic too) down into your keyboard, I'm wondering if your computer is in a location where you've had other similar accidents (and maybe didn't even realize it) that may have contributed to a buildup of stuff in your keyboard that, perhaps, has now gotten to the point where your keyboard is nearly unusable and really needs a good, thorough cleaning? (And if your computer is in your kitchen, next to your chopping block, for example, maybe you should either move it or, at least, buy a plastic cover(s), both for the computer itself, the monitor and the keyboard, as well as any other hardware hooked up to it -- a printer?! -- if your system is near a food preparation area!)

The page/link above suggests the careful and cautious use of things like water, alcohol, and even WD-40. (Supposedly all keyboard parts are washed with water and are presumably dried before assembly.) In addition, those instructions urge the purchase and use of a key-cap puller to remove the keys from a keyboard (to allow a good cleaning beneath the keys), rather than a screwdriver, as uneven pressure applied to the keys may cause damage to them so they can't be reattached properly.

I think the instructions at the link/page above are good, but require some common sense and a light touch using any sort of cleaning material as well as care to insure you've allowed enough time for the keyboard to dry thoroughly. If you don't have patience or can't follow instructions carefully, you shouldn't try even the Quick cleaning (which suggests, among other things, cotton swabs soaked in isopropyl alcohol -- I think slightly moistened might be a better way to proceed and even then I'd be very careful).