Wired Usb Keyboard Goes Out Of Control

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Sometimes my wireless USB mouse goes out of control, as well. Recently, they've both been working in tandem, in the out-of-control department.

Hello; I'm hoping the kind souls here might have an idea about what may be done to get these peripherals to stop malfunctioning.

My Win 7 computer is an old one, and problems naturally are expected to arise from time to time. The keyboard and mouse problems began months ago, and I've been living with it... because the problem often straightened itself out fairly soon.

At first, I started hearing the "bloop" sound (normally heard when a USB device is disengaged). It kept happening with greater frequency by itself. The keyboard would stop working, and my persisting with clackety-clacking of the keys would bring the situation back to normal.

The problem got to be bothersome enough that I bought another USB keyboard that seemed to be more stable (when the regular one stopped responding, the new one would come to the rescue). I also got a PS/2 keyboard that seemed independent of the USB technology and even more stable. These were my back-up measures in case the keyboard function stopped being accessible. (I also got a PS/2 mouse, just in case things went irretrievably haywire in that area.)

Other symptoms include the cursor's letter duplicating endlessly, with no way to stop it. When this out-of-control action took place, I discovered putting the computer into sleep mode managed to get the keyboard to behave again.

The mouse problem isn't (or wasn't; the situation now seems changed since they are both misbehaving together, lately) as frequent, but what happens with the mouse is that other commands replace the normal ones. For example, instead of scrolling up and down a page, I'd get a zoom in-and-out action.

I've been tolerating this behavior, as long as I could get things to snap back to normal. Yesterday, however, only a rebooting of the computer came to be the solution, and I thought I'd reach out for help.

What is happening now on the keyboard is that when I hit a key, another function would come into play (preventing typing). On the mouse, the scroll wheel would result in zooming in and out. (Luckily, the left click on the mouse is continuing to work as usual... allowing me to retain some control)

The same problem occurred today as well, but instead of re-booting, I waited it out; normal behavior returned after a while. All three of my keyboards behaved in the same way, so it's not an individual keyboard issue. My back-up mice (I have a second wireless one) also behaved in the same way, including the PS/2 one. The problem seems to be internal, and not a matter of the peripheral hardware

My system appears to be virus/malware free. Other recent problems necessitated taking the usual steps (SFC /SCANNOW and CHECKDISK). Mouse and keyboard drivers don't need to be updated, according to Windows. In case the following will be helpful, a recent problem (hinted at below) led to a log from MiniToolBox which may be found here. I also had reason to get these specs from Speccy.

I am wary of repair tools. I used MajorGeeks' recommended "Fortect" program in the hopes of shaping up my computer, and the results were catastrophic; it killed my audio services, and if I didn't get the help from elsewhere to fix this disaster, my computer would have been rendered useless. (I don't understand why the MG site is still suggesting this destructive program.)

What salvaged the Fortect disaster was "Tweaking.com - Windows Repair" ... I'm not saying this repair tool will solve my current problem, of course; I'm just throwing it out there, in my ignorance. If this tool is a contender as a possible solution, since I'm not familiar with the software's ins and outs, I would need to know exactly which boxes to check off in the hopes my particular problem will be targeted.

Hopefully the knowledgeable and gracious ones here will have an idea about what steps I might take. Another helpful tip/tips could be, if the peripherals go out-of-control again, is there anything I could do to soon achieve normalcy? (That is, is there a trick I may resort to, short of rebooting, as with putting the computer to sleep? That particular trick is not working any longer.)

I'd be very grateful for any help. Thank you.




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That was a long read, just to make sure I understand. Have you tried a new USB keyboard? Because that would have been one of the first things I would have tried.
You said ps2 keyboard had the same issues. Does your PC have ps2 ports, or are you using a ps2 to USB adapter?

As to the software you used, I am not a fan of fix all software in the hands of a novice. Some is fairly safe even for someone that dont know exactly what it is doing, but you really need to know exactly what changes it is making. That kind of software makes my job harder after someone has used it, and then brings it to me to fix. I have no way of knowing what it did. I have to fix what it did, then fix what was wrong in the first place.

 

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Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, Master Private A1phaG33! I appreciated your effort a lot. (I also appreciated the tag line, "Old School, but too old to learn something new.!")

Your beginning sentence made it sound like it would have been better had I kept my problem's description short, but I'm of the opinion providing detail is preferable, so that the ones with the big hearts (as yourself) have a better chance of narrowing down the possible solutions. (But I know... we live in an age where attention spans are no longer "old school," and verbosity is frowned upon.)

Indeed, as I wrote in my description, "The problem got to be bothersome enough that I bought another USB keyboard." It's new and more stable, but when the computer does an "HAL 2000" on me, that new USB one, as well as the PS/2 one (which indeed is attached via a ps2 to USB adapter... the computer is old, but not so old as to have a ps/2 port, as in the days of old..!) are both subjected to the same demonic forces.

Had they remained independent and continued to function, I could live with the problem... since I would still be retaining control of the computer.

I'm in agreement with your ending sentence. If I were to make use of the tool I mentioned, I would need to know exactly what to do (as I wrote).

As an addendum, I checked online and this page entitled "Keyboard Gone Mad and Typing on Its Own? 8 Ways to Fix It on Windows" came closest. The described problem was "Sometimes the keys begin to register on their own as if the keyboard has gone crazy," which is what happened at first; now the problem has evolved into keys registering different functions (I also have an additional mouse problem, doing the same). For what the suggestions were worth:

1. Rule Out Hardware Issues (N/A)
2. Update Your Keyboard Driver (N/A)
3. Run the Windows Keyboard Troubleshooter (N/A)
4. Tweak the Keyboard Settings (N/A)
5. Run a Malware and SFC Scan (Did so)
6. Update Your Operating System (That might solve it! But I ain't gonna resort to such an extreme solution)
7. Bring Your Keyboard Back to Room Temperature (N/A)
8. Drain Out Anti Static Charge (Requiring holding down power switch for 20 seconds, but can't do that; the built-in power button went bad, and was replaced with a one-click manual control cable.)

At page bottom, there was the suggestion of "Use the Windows On-Screen Keyboard," something I might try next time the problem occurs (luckily, still have left mouse-click control), until the gremlin goes away.

Again, a big nod your way for addressing my issue. Maybe you or others might have other ideas to suggest, for which I would be grateful.





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You know...sometimes when typing things, it does not come across correctly. Sorry for that.
More info is good, it was just a lot to take in as a reader trying to understand all you have done, so I wanted to confirm.
Everything you have hooked up and is acting up, is connected to a usb port, even the ps2 keyboard, (why I was asking about adapter), so.....It sounds as if it has something to do with you USB controller on your motherboard. What exactly, I do not care to admit, I do not know.
I think I would try booting up into safe mode, and see if it still acts the same. If it dont, then I might lean toward some type of driver issue. I am grasping at straws.
I personally have never had, or seen your issue before, after all you have done to correct it. Most of the time, the things you already have done will be the culprit.
I wish I had something more definitive to tell you, but sometimes we just have to have luck on our side to figure issues out.

BTW, that is a mistake on my part. It should say not to old to learn something new.

 

Are you messing with me Plodr? I literally said that above......lol.

 

I mentioned it before. I already noticed it when MopUp quoted it. I fixed after, yes. It wasn't high on my priory list.

 

I enjoyed the exchange with Plodr (who was trying to be helpful, so hats off to the antithesis of Plodding).

As an aside, when I read the tag line, "Old School, but too old to learn something new.!"... I took that to mean, "not too old." Naturally, that's what A1phaG33k would have meant, although the error passed me by. (Ooo, I see now the phrase has been played extra-safe, by accenting the "not" word.)

Again, I am in your debt, A1phaG33k. I am very grateful that you squeezed your brain cells for my benefit. I have at least learned the PS/2 keyboard is not as independent of the USB keyboards (which only makes sense, because when the problem occurs at its worst, the PS/2 keyboard also joins the crowd... it was hardly a fail-safe measure).

Since (luckily) the problem is not frequent, seeing if the problem occurs in safe mode would take forever... so for practical reasons, I wouldn't be able to perform that test. The results of such a test would also be non-conclusive, because whether the problem occurs in safe mode or not would not allow me to understand how to proceed afterwards.

If a motherboard issue (i.e., the USB controller component), that would entail serious tinkering (I guess I could go to a computer repair shop and tell them to replace the USB controller, but I have a feeling I would then be told the entire motherboard would need to be replaced, which means the time will have come to get another computer). So the problem is going to remain, and will probably get worse. The fact that you, with all of your expertise, have never encountered the described problem does not bode well. So it looks like I am sunk. (I fear my fate would not be the same as Kate Winslet's in TITANIC.)

You have been a gentleman, and very kind, and deserve a 21-gun salute. (Don't worry, I'll definitely make sure the guns aren't aimed your way.)





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Booting in Safe Mode loads minimal drivers/software. This might enable you to see if you have a purely hardware issue, or a driver/OS issue. USB devices can be a bit strange, I have a computer that will not reboot with a USB plug for a battery charger plugged in... Reboots great if that is unplugged. Trying it in safe mode may be time consuming, but is a pretty logical problem solving method. I feel your pain at trying to fix odd computer problems.

 

After squeezing those two brain cells a bit more, you could add a USB Expansion Card if you have an empty pci slot to plug it in to. It would have its on controller separate from your motherboard. If that dont fix the issue, I am out of suggestions.
https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?d=usb+expansion+card

BTW, Plodr is a very knowledgeable asset to this forum. His experience surpass' mine by a long shot. I really though he was messing/playing with me. But its all good.

 

Thank you for your additional comment, Ms. Plodr; you have an infectious personality.

Fred G,, you were most kind to add your thoughts (as well as your empathy). Appreciation your way, sir.

Aw, you didn't fool me, A1phaG33k... I think you definitely have more than two brain cells.

Remembering computers from back when, many offered a lot of expansion slots. The computer I have is old, but already a great premium was placed on the number of slots. The next time I open 'er up, I'll take a look at whatever is available. That was a pretty ingenious suggestion, and I commend you. (And will you look at this; you even went through the trouble of providing a handy-dandy link. The world has become largely bereft of good guys, not that they were plentiful before, and maybe you should be ashamed of yourself for going against the tide.)

 

Thank you so much for taking the trouble to respond, C.P.; I'm not actively following this thread, so I happened to run into your contribution by coincidence, and I'm glad I did.

Indeed, Device Mgr. was one of my first stops when the problem began to occur. Oddly, the problem evolved into now being not as violent as before and I'm living with it. (Computers sure are funny.) I appreciated the Power Management suggestion.

I'm glad to learn Fortect has left a good taste in your mouth, but what I encountered was more than just an issue. It basically clobbered my computer, and the damage it caused was extremely serious. (To the point of needing-to-get-a-new-computer-serious.)

Again, my appreciation; thank you.