Windows XP and wireless keyboard

[André Gulliksen]

I have a PC in one room running Windows. This computer is among other things
equipped with a video card with TV-out, a DVD-ROM drive and Logitech
Cordless Desktop Deluxe wireless mouse and keyboard. I have three cables
going through a hole in the wall: One video-cable connecting the video card
to the TV in the living room, one sound-cable connecting the sound card to
the amplifier and one USB extension cable. It is thus possible to sit in the
living room and use the PC for watching DVDs, play music, and when
connecting a USB gamepad to the USB extension cable I can even play some
games. Both the keyboard and the mouse can also be operated from the living
room, although I have to be in the correct position and angle for these to
work perfectly.

However, after upgrading from Windows 2000 Professional to Windows XP
Professional I have had the following problem:

Whenever I move the keyboard from the PC to the living room the computer
looses connection with the keyboard for a moment, until I (and the keyboard)
am once again in a position where the wireless connection between the
keyboard and the receiver is once again operational. When this glitch occurs
the computer immediately goes to suspend mode, requiring me to physically
move to the computer and press the power-button to restore it's state.

This behaviour never occured under Windows 2000. Also, there are no similar
problems when the mouse is out of reach for the receiver.

Why does this happen? Is this some kind of security precaution in Windows
XP, entering suspend mode when there is no keyboard connected? And if so,
how do I disable this "feature"?

 

[Rob Schneider]

AFAIK there is no security feature as you describe ... however suggest
you look closely at the Local Security optoins in the program
%SystemRoot%\system32\secpol.msc and see if any are on the mark.

Wondering if the batteries are getting weak?

Wondering if it isn't simply a device driver bug which can be fixed by
getting a new one from Logitech.

Wondering what Logitech might say on this ... maybe check their support
forums.

Also wondering why you bothered to upgrade from 2000 to XP

Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.

rms

 

[André Gulliksen]

AFAIK there is no security feature as you describe ... however suggest
you look closely at the Local Security optoins in the program
%SystemRoot%\system32\secpol.msc and see if any are on the mark.

Nothing there from what I can see. I also checked power options, but
couldn't find anything that seemed related to this problem.

Wondering if the batteries are getting weak?

Maybe, but even if they are there must be some feature/critter/whatever
residing on the PC performing the actual suspension. I have also replaced
the batteries fairly recently. And even when my keyboard was brand new I had
some connection problems from the living room. However, this never resulted
in the system going to standby mode.

Wondering if it isn't simply a device driver bug which can be fixed by
getting a new one from Logitech.

Wondering what Logitech might say on this ... maybe check their
support forums.

Good advice, I'll take a look. ATM I don't have installed any Logitech
software related to mouse/keyboard.

Also wondering why you bothered to upgrade from 2000 to XP

Trust me, you're not the first person to wonder. There were a couple of
bonuses to the upgrade for me, including increased application compatibility
and better support for dual monitor setups. But between the problem with
wireless input devices and a few other quirks I am seriously questioning if
I came out ahead from the upgrade \

Anyway, thanks for the advices so far.

 

[André Gulliksen]

Good advice, I'll take a look. ATM I don't have installed any Logitech
software related to mouse/keyboard.

I just installed Logitechs iTouch keyboard software, and I am now typing
this message from my living room. In other words: It worked. Thanks a lot
for putting me on the right track.