Keyboard Gone Wackey

[Guest]

Hi Group,

Several months (9/13) ago I posted the following question. I received a
reply instructing me to turn off text services. I replied that this seemed to
fix the problem, however, shortly afterward the keyboard resumed it's antics.
Can anyone offer any further suggestions?
Following is my original post:-----------------------

I have a Gateway Solo 9300 laptop on WinXP, lots of memory. When typing, the
cursor seems to be jumping around randomly, causing me to be typing
gibberish. Occasionally it will even switch to another open window, as if
hitting the alt-tab keys. I have seen this happen on other laptops I've had.
Can anyone tell me what might be causing this and what to do to remedy the
situation? It makes typing a huge chore and is driving me crazy!

TIA,
Barb

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Download the latest video adapter drivers from the
Gateway Support web site for your specific model
Gateway laptop model and install them. If that does
not fix the problem, you probably have a defective
video adapter that will require Gateway to replace.
Visit: http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?st=pn&param=3500545

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi Group,
|
| Several months (9/13) ago I posted the following question. I received a
| reply instructing me to turn off text services. I replied that this seemed to
| fix the problem, however, shortly afterward the keyboard resumed it's antics.
| Can anyone offer any further suggestions?
| Following is my original post:-----------------------
|
| I have a Gateway Solo 9300 laptop on WinXP, lots of memory. When typing, the
| cursor seems to be jumping around randomly, causing me to be typing
| gibberish. Occasionally it will even switch to another open window, as if
| hitting the alt-tab keys. I have seen this happen on other laptops I've had.
| Can anyone tell me what might be causing this and what to do to remedy the
| situation? It makes typing a huge chore and is driving me crazy!
|
| TIA,
| Barb
|

 

[Guest]

Carey,

Thanks for your reply. It seems that Gateway doesn't offer a video adapter
driver for my model running XP ( all other OSs are offered). This seems odd.
When I purchased this used Gateway on eBay, it came with Win98 installed. I
upgraded it to XP (then recently upgraded to SP2). Any further suggestions?

Thanks,
Barb

 

[Mike Hall]

If the laptop manufacturer does not offer support for an OS, you have a
problem that will not go away.. you will either have to get a more modern
laptop if XP is the priority, or consider reverting back to Win 98SE..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Guest]

Thanks Mike ..not exactly what I wanted to hear, but it makes sense.

Barb

 

[Mike Hall]

That's the way things are unfortunately.. desktops can get around it because
it is possible install video, sound, or any other card that is XP
compatible.. laptops are laws unto themselves, each model having its own
custom software..

There are times when a laptop would have been useful to me, but I remember
the problems that one can have with them, and I tend to drive everywhere
anyway, and could not use one on the move.. I have seen people use them in
airplanes, but I have more important things on my mind when flying.. holding
on, counting engine still attached, and landing times back on terra firma
for instance..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

I'm willing to bet that your Gateway laptop has a defective
video adapter and may be why the original owner sold it.
It took me a couple of weeks to troubleshoot a Dell laptop
with the same issue you have. Dell replaced the video adapter
and the problem was fixed. Fortunately, the Dell laptop
had an easily removable video adapter that was not
soldered to the motherboard.

If indeed you have a defective video adapter, your only
hope is to send it in to a Gateway repair center. Installing
a different Windows O/S will not correct the problem.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Carey,
|
| Thanks for your reply. It seems that Gateway doesn't offer a video adapter
| driver for my model running XP ( all other OSs are offered). This seems odd.
| When I purchased this used Gateway on eBay, it came with Win98 installed. I
| upgraded it to XP (then recently upgraded to SP2). Any further suggestions?
|
| Thanks,
| Barb

 

[Guest]

Thanks Carey and Mike.. I'm sure you're right. I assume Gateway's laptops are
among those with the video adapter soldered onto the motherboard?? Short of
sendiing it back to Gateway (or perhaps asking the eBay seller if he'd trade
it out for another one) is there any test that my local tech can perform to
confirm this for certain?

Barb

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Even assuming that the video adapter could be fixed. it will still not
support XP.. when you purchase a laptop, you have to accept that, other than
connecting external devices, you are stuck with the configuration supplied
except for memory.. motherboard construction in laptops is nothing like the
same as a desktop.. everything is well and truly integrated to the point
where no individual part can be replaced.. it is then folded such that
everything fits inside a small case along with a hard drive, and a bay for
the floppy drive..

If you want XP on a laptop, you will have to buy a make and model where the
manufacturer offers XP support.. I would suggest that you go along to a
sizeable computer store to see what is around..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Guest]

Carey,

Thanks for your reply. It seems that Gateway doesn't offer a video adapter
driver for my model running XP ( all other OSs are offered). This seems odd.
When I purchased this used Gateway on eBay, it came with Win98 installed. I
upgraded it to XP (then recently upgraded to SP2). Any further suggestions?

Thanks,
Barb

 

[Guest]

i have a problem with my cursor going berzerk and bringing up pages and
selecting options on those pages, and for awhile using the ctrl key while
wetting my fingertip ( i have a touchpad instead of a mouse, and was thinking
i had created too much statis electricity by running my fingertip over the
pad so much) and trying to bring the cursor back under control, worked but
the problem kept reoccuring and, i wondered if i was the problem. like mayvbe
i had too much electricity in my system, or if the heater above me on the
ceiling was maybe throwing out some negative ions that was causing it. but
after reading your letter, Artgal, i now know it isn't me!! i have a brand
new Northgate laptop with xpsp2 installed so, i know your problem isn't that
your computer is used. but, alas, i have no solution to the problem, either
and now, sometimes i have to shut down completely because i cannot bring it
under control at all.aaarrgghh!!! sympathies.....any thing new???