Rapid Access Keyboard

[Nick]

I'm using an IBM NetVista box which has an IBM Rapid Access multifunction
keyboard. WinXP Home installed.

I realise that this might not be caused by XP but I've started to get an
annoying problem with the special keys which control multimedia functions
and can be customised to start selected applications.

The strange thing is that these keys only work half the time - ie on each
alternate system startup they don't function - having previously worked fine
for years. I haven't made any changes other than applying windows updates as
they come. Could a recent update have caused a problem here? Anyone else see
anything like this?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Guest]

First thing is to try updating your drivers for you keyboard. Download the
drivers from the IBM website run the installation wizard, reboot if needed,
and see if that works.

It could be that something from an update is conflicting with your older
drivers.

-Dan

 

[Nick]

First thing is to try updating your drivers for you keyboard. Download the
drivers from the IBM website run the installation wizard, reboot if
needed,
and see if that works.

It could be that something from an update is conflicting with your older
drivers.

-Dan

Thanks Dan. I did check the drivers. I have V 2.0.1.7 The IBM website has
2.0.1.7b and lists the previous as 2.0.1.6 so I wasn't sure if I had the
latest or not. I'll install it anyway and report back.

 

[Rock]

I'm using an IBM NetVista box which has an IBM Rapid Access multifunction
keyboard. WinXP Home installed.

I realise that this might not be caused by XP but I've started to get an
annoying problem with the special keys which control multimedia functions
and can be customised to start selected applications.

The strange thing is that these keys only work half the time - ie on each
alternate system startup they don't function - having previously worked
fine for years. I haven't made any changes other than applying windows
updates as they come. Could a recent update have caused a problem here?
Anyone else see anything like this?

Have you asked IBM tech support?

 

[Nick]

I installed the updated (but still dated November 2002) driver. but the
problem is persisting except that it is now occurring most of the time
rather than just every other session. However the special keys have worked
at least once since I did the update so I assume the driver is installed OK.
I also called IBM support but after I finally managed to navigate the call
center automation I was told that it must be a hardware problem (billable
support).

Some functions work - the audio controls work except there is no on-screen
display. The standby button and the email button (which starts OE) both work
but with no OSD. Programmable buttons to start other apps are not working at
all.

I've tried plugging the keyboard into another USB port but that made no
difference.

 

[LittleMoo]

Ok, maybe settings for these keys got changed somehow. Try going into
Control Panel, go to Keyboard, and see if there are any settings in there
for your special keys. If the settings aren't there then you'll probaly have
another entry in Control Panel for something like Quick Launch Buttons or
similar (this is what mine is called - I have an HP zv6000 series laptop
though). See what the buttons are set to do, if they're not set right change
the setting.

Also, if you have another keyboard with special keys on it you could try
plugging this into your computer and seeing if the special keys on that
keyboard work, and if they do then your keyboard is probably malfunctioning.

If you still have no success you can try uninstalling all keyboard drivers
and software, restarting the computer, then re-installing the software and
latest drivers.

If it becomes necessary and you can't live without your special keys you can
try to perform a System Restore to a time before when you started having
this problem:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx

-Dan

 

[Nick]

I've made a bit of a breakthrough. I'm the only user on my system so I
autologon when the system starts. What I now notice is that if I logoff and
then log on again, all the extra keyboard functions are restored. Seems to
me the problem could be with the system retaining user settings rather than
with the keyboard or the driver?

This may be a separate issue but I've seen some threads regarding missing
taskbar icons (eg volume control) when using auto logon and as it happens I
seem to be experiencing the same thing. This is also corrected by
logoff/logon.

I guess I can just switch to logging on manually at boot and I'll be happy
with that. On the other hand this problem is new on my system so it would
be good to have an idea of the cause and if there is any fix.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[LittleMoo]

Glad to hear that you've at least found out how to remedy your problem.

Although, I don't really have any experience with the autologon problems as
I don't use autologon (the way Windows is designed it wasn't meant to be a
system that you can automatically log on to anyway - it's a security issue).
So maybe someone else would be able to shed some light on this issue.

-Dan