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keyboard problems | Thanks for the feedback

heikeb (X) — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 15:23:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: keyboard problems
Poster: heikeb (X)
Post title: Thanks for the feedback

I'm afraid Terry is right and there's a problem not only with a sticky shift key but with my keyboard in general. I just wasn't sure before if those were actually to be blamed on the keyboard or just due to a different sensitivity of the keys from what I'm used to...

But I checked all keyboard/accessibility options and they can't be blamed for anything. Let's just hope it's not a design flaw of the keyboard model used in my laptop and that a new keyboard will solve my problems. :(

Heike

keyboard problems | One other possibility

Viktoria Gimbe — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 04:59:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: keyboard problems
Poster: Viktoria Gimbe
Post title: One other possibility

I use a laptop and as the physical layout of it is not the same as that of a desktop (e. g., no numpad), you probably noticed a key (on mine, it' between the left ctrl and Win keys) that may or may not have a blue symbol on it (mine says Fn - for function, I guess). This key is used to toggle certain things like screen parameters, but it is also used much like the shift key in order to use the "virtual" numpad.

Could it be that you are accidentally hitting that one?

I am not sure if this could be causing your problem, but when I started using my laptop, I also had similar problems, especially the reverse caps lock bit. After some time, the problem simply ceased to exist.

It's not easy getting used to typing on a laptop and our fingers tend to "bump" into keys accidentally. The layout is not the same and this causes some problems too initially. Maybe after you get used to it, the problem will vanish, like it did in my case.

If you use a German layout - I know German can be tricky on a laptop - then this may be the problem. But I think there is either some other configuration problem, or you just need some time to get used to the keyboard - and the FRIGGIN touchpad! - so you stop hitting things accidentally.

Good luck!

keyboard problems | "Sticky" shift key

Terry Richards — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 08:34:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: keyboard problems
Poster: Terry Richards
Post title: "Sticky" shift key

All of the symptoms you describe would occur if the shift key was down. There are 3 reasons I can think of why this might be the case:

1) You are inadvertantly hitting (or resting your finger on) the shift key.

2) The key is physically stuck.

3) There is a disability option in control panel (it's under "accesability options" in English Windows) to make this key "sticky". Very useful for people who only have the use of one hand. If I had to bet, I would bet that you have this turned on.

Check option 3. If it isn't that, check option 1.

If it's neither of those, try another keyboard :)

T.

keyboard problems | Same problem but rarely

Nizamettin Yigit — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:27:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: keyboard problems
Poster: Nizamettin Yigit
Post title: Same problem but rarely

Hi Heike,

I had similar problems especially between thekeyboards. Being a Turkish freelancer, I have to use different settings for Turkish.

If I experience similar problem, it is not the switch to the regular English settings but it becomes an unrecognized keyboard settings. Trying to adjust it does not usually help.

I dont know the reason but my problem is solved with a restart.

I assume reason could be a bug. So possible way to minimize this problem, is to update windows and other microsoft problems (meaning softwares) :) .

Good luck!

Nizam

[Edited at 2006-08-11 19:28]

keyboard problems

heikeb (X) — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 18:30:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: keyboard problems
Poster: heikeb (X)

I recently bought a new laptop (HP dv5237) and am experiencing some keyboard issues.

It happened several times so far that:
- caps lock function is reversed. I.e. activated lock results in all lower letters, deactivated in all caps.
- ALT+TAB (cycle through open windows): cycling order reversed
- cursor: clicking into a word/paragraph etc. highlights everything
- in some cases/applications, left click doesn't work

I assume I am hitting some key combination incidentally, because I seem to be able to switch it off again - but I have no idea what keys I am hitting. ;-)

Can anybody help? Is this a function that can be deactivated?

Thanks!