Wireless keyboard "stalls"

[Dian and Mike]

Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard malfunction
occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in to Microsoft took
many attempts because the keyboard just stops responding to key strokes. If
I wait a few seconds the next letter can be typed in, maybe more than one
letter, maybe a whole sentence, and then the next keystroke does nothing.
Acts like keyboard totally loses contact with the computer.

Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an uninstall
and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution until a few days
ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and support said the problem
was caused by some program I had downloaded. They had no clue what program
that might be. This time I did a system restore thinking that would take
care of the problem if it was a download. Keyboard actually seemed to
function well for about one day before beginning to "stall" again.

Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really seems to me
like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it and don't want
support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough for the warranty to
expire.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Charlie Tame]

Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard malfunction
occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in to Microsoft
took many attempts because the keyboard just stops responding to key
strokes. If I wait a few seconds the next letter can be typed in, maybe
more than one letter, maybe a whole sentence, and then the next
keystroke does nothing. Acts like keyboard totally loses contact with
the computer.

Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an
uninstall and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution until
a few days ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and support
said the problem was caused by some program I had downloaded. They had
no clue what program that might be. This time I did a system restore
thinking that would take care of the problem if it was a download.
Keyboard actually seemed to function well for about one day before
beginning to "stall" again.

Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really seems
to me like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it and don't
want support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough for the
warranty to expire.

Thanks,
Mike

How old are the batteries?

 

[Dian and Mike]

How old are the batteries?

First thing I did was to put in new batteries. Old batteries did test a
very strong "good" on my battery tester.
Mike

 

[Charlie Tame]

First thing I did was to put in new batteries. Old batteries did test a
very strong "good" on my battery tester.
Mike

Ah, I had one and the batteries showed good but it was terrible after a
very short time and batteries still good... darned thing now in trash,
oh well.

So does it stick and print the letters late or does it actually miss out
letters, sounds like you mean it misses some completely. Does the
receiver part plug into USB?

If so have you tried another port?


If an ordinary keyboard works okay in the same port then it may be some
kind of interference from equipment or some kind of hardware failure. I
can see a special driver being needed for function keys, but ordinary
keys should work whatever.

 

[Dave T.]

Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard malfunction
occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in to Microsoft
took many attempts because the keyboard just stops responding to key
strokes. If I wait a few seconds the next letter can be typed in, maybe
more than one letter, maybe a whole sentence, and then the next
keystroke does nothing. Acts like keyboard totally loses contact with
the computer.

Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an
uninstall and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution until
a few days ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and support
said the problem was caused by some program I had downloaded. They had
no clue what program that might be. This time I did a system restore
thinking that would take care of the problem if it was a download.
Keyboard actually seemed to function well for about one day before
beginning to "stall" again.

Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really seems
to me like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it and don't
want support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough for the
warranty to expire.

Thanks,
Mike

My experience with Microsoft wireless was that when I had problems with
them I just needed to find the right location for the USB Dongle.
Regardless of the instructions that came with it, I found that location
is everything. Just like the antennae of a radio, I kept moving it
around till I found a spot where it works flawlessly.

 

[Charlie Tame]

My experience with Microsoft wireless was that when I had problems with
them I just needed to find the right location for the USB Dongle.
Regardless of the instructions that came with it, I found that location
is everything. Just like the antennae of a radio, I kept moving it
around till I found a spot where it works flawlessly.

Mine was not MS but I found that one had to be closer than one would
have to be with a cheap Kbd extension cord

OTOH it cost <$10 from Office Depot

 

[Dave T.]

Mine was not MS but I found that one had to be closer than one would
have to be with a cheap Kbd extension cord

OTOH it cost <$10 from Office Depot

Charlie, I found this Microsoft keyboard and mouse bundle on sale at
Staples for $19 (normally $52). Had to download a vista driver, but as I
said it gave me probs for awhile and it didn't matter if I changed
batteries. I moved the dongle around and now no probs. I put it up on
top of the computer case so it is elevated above the mouse and keyboard
and now it works flawlessly. I can type fairly fast, and it never misses
a beat.

 

[Dian and Mike]

Ah, I had one and the batteries showed good but it was terrible after a
very short time and batteries still good... darned thing now in trash, oh
well.

So does it stick and print the letters late or does it actually miss out
letters, sounds like you mean it misses some completely. Does the receiver
part plug into USB?

If so have you tried another port?


If an ordinary keyboard works okay in the same port then it may be some
kind of interference from equipment or some kind of hardware failure. I
can see a special driver being needed for function keys, but ordinary keys
should work whatever.

Charlie,
Thanks for your help. I'm pretty well convinced the "interference" catch
all is not applicable. What actually happens is the keyboard essentially
freezes: no response to key strokes, cursor doesn't move. Waiting for a few
seconds usually "unfreezes" and any key stroke displays immediately on the
screen. There is never a "buffer" where keystrokes come up on the screen
after a delay. When is "unfreezes", everything is fine for one keystroke, or
more, there is never any indication when it will freeze again.

Keep in mind, the problem was repaired for several months by uninstall and
reinstall in safe mode with direction from support. I prefer not to go back
there because; 1.free support period has expired 2 really had a hard time
understanding the support person 3 if it does fix the problem again the
"fix" will probably be temporary 4 I think the only way for permanent fix is
to know what's causing the problem and I believe it is in the software

Hoping for more suggestions.

Thanks again,
Mike

 

[Charlie Tame]

Charlie,
Thanks for your help. I'm pretty well convinced the "interference" catch
all is not applicable. What actually happens is the keyboard essentially
freezes: no response to key strokes, cursor doesn't move. Waiting for a
few
seconds usually "unfreezes" and any key stroke displays immediately on the
screen. There is never a "buffer" where keystrokes come up on the screen
after a delay. When is "unfreezes", everything is fine for one
keystroke, or
more, there is never any indication when it will freeze again.

Keep in mind, the problem was repaired for several months by uninstall and
reinstall in safe mode with direction from support. I prefer not to go
back
there because; 1.free support period has expired 2 really had a hard time
understanding the support person 3 if it does fix the problem again the
"fix" will probably be temporary 4 I think the only way for permanent
fix is
to know what's causing the problem and I believe it is in the software

Hoping for more suggestions.

Thanks again,
Mike

What exactly did they have you install, can you find the maker's website
and look for drivers yourself? If you can give the name and model maybe
someone can find something if you can't. I agree it would be silly to pay.