What's intercepting my space bar?

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

I've got an irritating bug: _could_ be hardware, but I don't think so,
since a reboot cured it (and other times other actions - I'm not sure
what - cleared it too).

The bug is: hitting the spacebar, instead of entering a space, causes
focus to be lost from the current window. This applies in various things
- so far, I've found it for sure in a DOS program (Xtree Gold) and in
NotePad+, though I'm sure it's happened in other things. The focus
doesn't switch to another window: I've found a desktop shortcut
beginning with D highlighted, but pressing spacebar again doesn't move
to another D shortcut (there are several).

Alt-space works.

(Obviously it's working now.)

I can't really see why Malware should do this. I practice reasonably
safe hex, and haven't been to any dodgy sites recently that I haven't
been to many times before.

The nearest I can think of - especially as it's a keyboard-interceptor
itself - is that I recently installed AllChars (as recommended, IIRR, by
someone on the windows7 newsgroup); a useful utility that, for example,
if I press ctrl 1 2 (that's ctrl, press and release, not Ctrl-1), gives
me ½. Or ctrl ' e gives é, and others equally easy to remember/guess (I
guessed for ±, for example). But turning that off when the phantom
spacebar changer kicks in doesn't bring it back.

Something I _do_ triggers it, I think - that is to say, I think I could
carry on typing here for ages. But I'll post now just in case (-:.

Later: Hmm. I think maybe it _is_ hardware, as it seems to be affecting
the left five keys on the bottom row, which on this keyboard are Ctrl,
right-context/Fn, Alt, `, and spacebar, and PgDn seemed to cure it. Next
time it happens, maybe I'll plug in one of my spare keyboards to see if
that duplicates it. It's an odd one!

 

[VanguardLH]

I've got an irritating bug: _could_ be hardware, but I don't think so,
since a reboot cured it (and other times other actions - I'm not sure
what - cleared it too).

The bug is: hitting the spacebar, instead of entering a space, causes
focus to be lost from the current window. This applies in various things
- so far, I've found it for sure in a DOS program (Xtree Gold) and in
NotePad+, though I'm sure it's happened in other things. The focus
doesn't switch to another window: I've found a desktop shortcut
beginning with D highlighted, but pressing spacebar again doesn't move
to another D shortcut (there are several).

Alt-space works.

(Obviously it's working now.)

I can't really see why Malware should do this. I practice reasonably
safe hex, and haven't been to any dodgy sites recently that I haven't
been to many times before.

The nearest I can think of - especially as it's a keyboard-interceptor
itself - is that I recently installed AllChars (as recommended, IIRR, by
someone on the windows7 newsgroup); a useful utility that, for example,
if I press ctrl 1 2 (that's ctrl, press and release, not Ctrl-1), gives
me ½. Or ctrl ' e gives é, and others equally easy to remember/guess (I
guessed for ±, for example). But turning that off when the phantom
spacebar changer kicks in doesn't bring it back.

Something I _do_ triggers it, I think - that is to say, I think I could
carry on typing here for ages. But I'll post now just in case (-:.

Later: Hmm. I think maybe it _is_ hardware, as it seems to be affecting
the left five keys on the bottom row, which on this keyboard are Ctrl,
right-context/Fn, Alt, `, and spacebar, and PgDn seemed to cure it. Next
time it happens, maybe I'll plug in one of my spare keyboards to see if
that duplicates it. It's an odd one!

There are several key combos that use the spacebar, like Alt+Spacebar
for displaying the current window's system menu, Win+Spacebar displays
the list of Microsoft Intellitype shortcut keys (if you have Intellitype
installed) or it minimizes all windows to preview the desktop, and
Spacebar alone can end up selecting or clearing the currently selected
checkbox or act as an Enter key depending on the controls inside the
window.

Could be you have some sticky modifier keys (Ctrl, Alt, Win) on either
side of the keyboard. Have you used compressed air to blow out all the
crap that piles up under the keys? If you press down at a slight angle
on the modifier or spacebar keys, do they stick? That's a sign of a
badly designed keyboard, a worn one, or a soiled one.

You don't mention testing with a new or different keyboard. Most
keyboards are no longer made with mechanical switches (you have to pay
dearly for those gaming keyboards) but instead use carbon sprayed on a
flexible rubber-like membrane. Pressing down on the key makes the
membrane snap past a threshold (the feedback you feel) and its carbon
pad press across a foil pattern on the PCB. The carbon wears off with
age and the membrane stiffens. This makes for unreliable contact to
short the foils to "close the switch". If the keyboard is old or highly
used, could be it's just worn out and you need to replace it.

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <[email protected]>, VanguardLH <[email protected]>
writes:
[]

There are several key combos that use the spacebar, like Alt+Spacebar
for displaying the current window's system menu, Win+Spacebar displays
the list of Microsoft Intellitype shortcut keys (if you have Intellitype
installed) or it minimizes all windows to preview the desktop, and
Spacebar alone can end up selecting or clearing the currently selected
checkbox or act as an Enter key depending on the controls inside the
window.

Could be you have some sticky modifier keys (Ctrl, Alt, Win) on either
side of the keyboard. Have you used compressed air to blow out all the
crap that piles up under the keys? If you press down at a slight angle
on the modifier or spacebar keys, do they stick? That's a sign of a
badly designed keyboard, a worn one, or a soiled one.

Well, it does`start`to`look`as`if`that`s`the`problem;`unfortunately,
I`can't`detect`which`one!`It`isn't`Alt,`because`if`it`was`that,`as`you`sa
y`when`I`pressed`space,`the`system`menu`for`the`current`window`would
appear,`and`it`doesn't.It`just`makes`the`focus`go`away.`It`doesn't
either`bring`up`a`list`of`intellitype`keys`or`minimise`all`windows,`so
it`isn't`Win.

I'm`typing`on`a`USB`keyboard,`but`the`spacebar`doesn't`work`on`this`one`e
ither`-`but`then`I`think`that`_would_`be`the`case`if`a`modifier`key`was
stuck`on`the`netbook's`own`keyboard,`wouldn't`it?

(I`can`get`a`space`by`typing`Alt`032`on`the`numeric
pad`like`I`did`there.)

I`thought`it`was`ctrl,`because`pressing`Esc`brings`up`the`start`menu;
also,`Win`on`it's`own`doesn'`t`-`though`it's`doing`something,`as`it`makes
`a`click`(I`have`noisy`keyboard`loaded`-`that's`not`the`problem`,`as
I've`had`that`loaded`for`months`if`not`years).

I`did`try`disabling`the`inbuilt`kbd,`but`it`said`it`needed`a`restart,
which`of`course`re-enabled`it.

You don't mention testing with a new or different keyboard. Most
keyboards are no longer made with mechanical switches (you have to pay
dearly for those gaming keyboards) but instead use carbon sprayed on a
flexible rubber-like membrane. Pressing down on the key makes the
membrane snap past a threshold (the feedback you feel) and its carbon
pad press across a foil pattern on the PCB. The carbon wears off with
age and the membrane stiffens. This makes for unreliable contact to
short the foils to "close the switch". If the keyboard is old or highly
used, could be it's just worn out and you need to replace it.

Sounds`to`be`the`case`-`it's`the`built-in`keyboard`of`the`netbook`(which`
has`been`fairly`heavily`used`for`about`five`years).`But
it`is`odd:`(a)`it's`come`on`rather`suddenly,`and`(b)`it's`_sort`of_
acting`like`a`stuck`key,`not`an`open-circuit`one.

I`guess`I'll`have`to`get`a`new`one`(and`figure`out`how`to`detach`this
one`-`it's`a`Samsung`NC-20).`But`it's`gonna`be`tedious`living`without`a`s
pace`bar`until`then`(-:!

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <[email protected]>, VanguardLH <[email protected]>
writes:
[]

There are several key combos that use the spacebar, like Alt+Spacebar
for displaying the current window's system menu, Win+Spacebar displays
the list of Microsoft Intellitype shortcut keys (if you have Intellitype
installed) or it minimizes all windows to preview the desktop, and
Spacebar alone can end up selecting or clearing the currently selected
checkbox or act as an Enter key depending on the controls inside the
window.

Could be you have some sticky modifier keys (Ctrl, Alt, Win) on either
side of the keyboard. Have you used compressed air to blow out all the
crap that piles up under the keys? If you press down at a slight angle
on the modifier or spacebar keys, do they stick? That's a sign of a
badly designed keyboard, a worn one, or a soiled one.

Well, it does`start`to`look`as`if`that`s`the`problem;`unfortunately,
I`can't`detect`which`one!`It`isn't`Alt,`because`if`it`was`that,`as`you`sa
y`when`I`pressed`space,`the`system`menu`for`the`current`window`would
appear,`and`it`doesn't.It`just`makes`the`focus`go`away.`It`doesn't
either`bring`up`a`list`of`intellitype`keys`or`minimise`all`windows,`so
it`isn't`Win.

I'm`typing`on`a`USB`keyboard,`but`the`spacebar`doesn't`work`on`this`one`e
ither`-`but`then`I`think`that`_would_`be`the`case`if`a`modifier`key`was
stuck`on`the`netbook's`own`keyboard,`wouldn't`it?

(I`can`get`a`space`by`typing`Alt`032`on`the`numeric
pad`like`I`did`there.)

I`thought`it`was`ctrl,`because`pressing`Esc`brings`up`the`start`menu;
also,`Win`on`it's`own`doesn'`t`-`though`it's`doing`something,`as`it`makes
`a`click`(I`have`noisy`keyboard`loaded`-`that's`not`the`problem`,`as
I've`had`that`loaded`for`months`if`not`years).

I`did`try`disabling`the`inbuilt`kbd,`but`it`said`it`needed`a`restart,
which`of`course`re-enabled`it.

You don't mention testing with a new or different keyboard. Most
keyboards are no longer made with mechanical switches (you have to pay
dearly for those gaming keyboards) but instead use carbon sprayed on a
flexible rubber-like membrane. Pressing down on the key makes the
membrane snap past a threshold (the feedback you feel) and its carbon
pad press across a foil pattern on the PCB. The carbon wears off with
age and the membrane stiffens. This makes for unreliable contact to
short the foils to "close the switch". If the keyboard is old or highly
used, could be it's just worn out and you need to replace it.

Sounds`to`be`the`case`-`it's`the`built-in`keyboard`of`the`netbook`(which`
has`been`fairly`heavily`used`for`about`five`years).`But
it`is`odd:`(a)`it's`come`on`rather`suddenly,`and`(b)`it's`_sort`of_
acting`like`a`stuck`key,`not`an`open-circuit`one.

I`guess`I'll`have`to`get`a`new`one`(and`figure`out`how`to`detach`this
one`-`it's`a`Samsung`NC-20).`But`it's`gonna`be`tedious`living`without`a`s
pace`bar`until`then`(-:!

Have now`_disconnected_`internal`keyboard;`am`on`external`USB`one`only.
Spacebar`_still_`not`working`properly,`and`Win`key`also`not.`Now`going
to`try`a`system`restore:`_doesn't_`look`like`hardware-after`all`)-:.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

A biochemist walks into a student bar and says to the barman: "I'd like a pint
of adenosine triphosphate, please." "Certainly," says the barman, "that'll be
ATP." (Quoted in) The Independent, 2013-7-13

 

[Paul]

In message <[email protected]>, VanguardLH <[email protected]>
writes:
[]

Later: Hmm. I think maybe it _is_ hardware, as it seems to be affecting
the left five keys on the bottom row, which on this keyboard are Ctrl,
right-context/Fn, Alt, `, and spacebar, and PgDn seemed to cure it.
Next
time it happens, maybe I'll plug in one of my spare keyboards to see if
that duplicates it. It's an odd one!

There are several key combos that use the spacebar, like Alt+Spacebar
for displaying the current window's system menu, Win+Spacebar displays
the list of Microsoft Intellitype shortcut keys (if you have Intellitype
installed) or it minimizes all windows to preview the desktop, and
Spacebar alone can end up selecting or clearing the currently selected
checkbox or act as an Enter key depending on the controls inside the
window.

Could be you have some sticky modifier keys (Ctrl, Alt, Win) on either
side of the keyboard. Have you used compressed air to blow out all the
crap that piles up under the keys? If you press down at a slight angle
on the modifier or spacebar keys, do they stick? That's a sign of a
badly designed keyboard, a worn one, or a soiled one.

Well, it does`start`to`look`as`if`that`s`the`problem;`unfortunately,
I`can't`detect`which`one!`It`isn't`Alt,`because`if`it`was`that,`as`you`sa
y`when`I`pressed`space,`the`system`menu`for`the`current`window`would
appear,`and`it`doesn't.It`just`makes`the`focus`go`away.`It`doesn't
either`bring`up`a`list`of`intellitype`keys`or`minimise`all`windows,`so
it`isn't`Win.

I'm`typing`on`a`USB`keyboard,`but`the`spacebar`doesn't`work`on`this`one`e
ither`-`but`then`I`think`that`_would_`be`the`case`if`a`modifier`key`was
stuck`on`the`netbook's`own`keyboard,`wouldn't`it?

(I`can`get`a`space`by`typing`Alt`032`on`the`numeric
pad`like`I`did`there.)

I`thought`it`was`ctrl,`because`pressing`Esc`brings`up`the`start`menu;
also,`Win`on`it's`own`doesn'`t`-`though`it's`doing`something,`as`it`makes
`a`click`(I`have`noisy`keyboard`loaded`-`that's`not`the`problem`,`as
I've`had`that`loaded`for`months`if`not`years).

I`did`try`disabling`the`inbuilt`kbd,`but`it`said`it`needed`a`restart,
which`of`course`re-enabled`it.

You don't mention testing with a new or different keyboard. Most
keyboards are no longer made with mechanical switches (you have to pay
dearly for those gaming keyboards) but instead use carbon sprayed on a
flexible rubber-like membrane. Pressing down on the key makes the
membrane snap past a threshold (the feedback you feel) and its carbon
pad press across a foil pattern on the PCB. The carbon wears off with
age and the membrane stiffens. This makes for unreliable contact to
short the foils to "close the switch". If the keyboard is old or highly
used, could be it's just worn out and you need to replace it.

Sounds`to`be`the`case`-`it's`the`built-in`keyboard`of`the`netbook`(which`
has`been`fairly`heavily`used`for`about`five`years).`But
it`is`odd:`(a)`it's`come`on`rather`suddenly,`and`(b)`it's`_sort`of_
acting`like`a`stuck`key,`not`an`open-circuit`one.

I`guess`I'll`have`to`get`a`new`one`(and`figure`out`how`to`detach`this
one`-`it's`a`Samsung`NC-20).`But`it's`gonna`be`tedious`living`without`a`s
pace`bar`until`then`(-:!

Have now`_disconnected_`internal`keyboard;`am`on`external`USB`one`only.
Spacebar`_still_`not`working`properly,`and`Win`key`also`not.`Now`going
to`try`a`system`restore:`_doesn't_`look`like`hardware-after`all`)-:.

In "Regional and Language Options" control panel, look under Languages : Details.
Does the choice there make sense ?

Mine only has one setting, so I can't change the setting to something
else and then change it back.

I had a problem with my Acer laptop and Windows 7, where in the
middle of a sentence the keyboard would switch from English to
French, and the characters typed would change too. By removing the
French entry entirely, it stopped having a mind of its own. Perhaps
I was hitting some key sequence by accident, but I can't be sure.

Paul

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <[email protected]>, "J. P. Gilliver

Later: Hmm. I think maybe it _is_ hardware, as it seems to be affecting
the left five keys on the bottom row, which on this keyboard are Ctrl,
right-context/Fn, Alt, `, and spacebar, and PgDn seemed to cure
it. Next
time it happens, maybe I'll plug in one of my spare keyboards to see if
that duplicates it. It's an odd one! []
Well, it does`start`to`look`as`if`that`s`the`problem;`unfortunately,
I`can't`detect`which`one!`It`isn't`Alt,`because`if`it`was`that,`as`you`sa
y`when`I`pressed`space,`the`system`menu`for`the`current`window`would
appear,`and`it`doesn't.It`just`makes`the`focus`go`away.`It`doesn't
either`bring`up`a`list`of`intellitype`keys`or`minimise`all`windows,`so
it`isn't`Win.

I'm`typing`on`a`USB`keyboard,`but`the`spacebar`doesn't`work`on`this`one`e
ither`-`but`then`I`think`that`_would_`be`the`case`if`a`modifier`key`was
stuck`on`the`netbook's`own`keyboard,`wouldn't`it?

(I`can`get`a`space`by`typing`Alt`032`on`the`numeric
pad`like`I`did`there.)

I`thought`it`was`ctrl,`because`pressing`Esc`brings`up`the`start`menu;
also,`Win`on`it's`own`doesn'`t`-`though`it's`doing`something,`as`it`makes
`a`click`(I`have`noisy`keyboard`loaded`-`that's`not`the`problem`,`as
I've`had`that`loaded`for`months`if`not`years).

I`did`try`disabling`the`inbuilt`kbd,`but`it`said`it`needed`a`restart,
which`of`course`re-enabled`it. []
Sounds`to`be`the`case`-`it's`the`built-in`keyboard`of`the`netbook`(which`
has`been`fairly`heavily`used`for`about`five`years).`But
it`is`odd:`(a)`it's`come`on`rather`suddenly,`and`(b)`it's`_sort`of_
acting`like`a`stuck`key,`not`an`open-circuit`one.

I`guess`I'll`have`to`get`a`new`one`(and`figure`out`how`to`detach`this
one`-`it's`a`Samsung`NC-20).`But`it's`gonna`be`tedious`living`without`a`s
pace`bar`until`then`(-:!

Have
now`_disconnected_`internal`keyboard;`am`on`external`USB`one`only.
Spacebar`_still_`not`working`properly,`and`Win`key`also`not.`Now`going
to`try`a`system`restore:`_doesn't_`look`like`hardware-after`all`)-:.

In "Regional and Language Options" control panel, look under Languages
: Details.
Does the choice there make sense ?[/QUOTE]

Yes, just one shown (UK), which I haven't changed.

Mine only has one setting, so I can't change the setting to something
else and then change it back.

(I think you can get more with the Add button.)

I had a problem with my Acer laptop and Windows 7, where in the
middle of a sentence the keyboard would switch from English to
French, and the characters typed would change too. By removing the
French entry entirely, it stopped having a mind of its own. Perhaps
I was hitting some key sequence by accident, but I can't be sure.

Paul

I think there _is_ a key sequence that switches (only if you have more
than one, obviously).

Anyway, after my system restore, I'm now in the situation where - with
both connected - the built-in keyboard is hardly responding at all,
whereas the external USB one is working fine - even the spacebar and Win
keys. So I'm going to replace the internal one, on the basis that that
has given up the ghost altogether. (I do keep tapping the external one
where the touchpad should be, though! [Fortunately that- the touchpad -
is still working fine.])

 

[VanguardLH]

Anyway, after my system restore, I'm now in the situation where - with
both connected - the built-in keyboard is hardly responding at all,
whereas the external USB one is working fine - even the spacebar and Win
keys. So I'm going to replace the internal one, on the basis that that
has given up the ghost altogether. (I do keep tapping the external one
where the touchpad should be, though! [Fortunately that- the touchpad -
is still working fine.])

Have you yet rebooted into Windows' safe mode to eliminate startup
programs that may interfere with the keyboard? Pre-builts come with a
load of pre-installed crap. Get it out of the way with a safe boot and
retest.

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <[email protected]>, "J. P. Gilliver

Anyway, after my system restore, I'm now in the situation where - with
both connected - the built-in keyboard is hardly responding at all,
whereas the external USB one is working fine - even the spacebar and
Win keys. So I'm going to replace the internal one, on the basis that
that has given up the ghost altogether. (I do keep tapping the external
one where the touchpad should be, though! [Fortunately that- the
touchpad - is still working fine.])

Humph.`This`evening,`_after_`I've`ordered`the`keyboard,`I`find`it
probably`_isn't`the`hardware`after`all`-`never`mind,`I've`gpt`what`I
think`is`a`fair`price,`and`I'd`always`wanted`a`lighter`one`I`could`see
better`in`poor`light`anyway.

I'm`now`typing`on`the`external`USB`'board`_with`the`built-in`one
disconnected`-`and`the`same`symptoms`are`back:`space`bar`causes`loss`of
focus`rather`than`entering`a`space.

The`thingf`is,`it`_does_`work`to`start`with`or`some`of`the`time;`I
haven't`worked`out`what`makes`it`go`haywire`yet.`(Actually,`it`doesn't
go`haywire`-`it's`behaviour`is`pretty`consistent;`just`not`normal.)

It's just got better again. I wonder how long it'll last this time!

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Anyway, after my system restore, I'm now in the situation where - with
both connected - the built-in keyboard is hardly responding at all,
whereas the external USB one is working fine - even the spacebar and Win
keys. So I'm going to replace the internal one, on the basis that that
has given up the ghost altogether. (I do keep tapping the external one
where the touchpad should be, though! [Fortunately that- the touchpad -
is still working fine.])

Have you yet rebooted into Windows' safe mode to eliminate startup
programs that may interfere with the keyboard? Pre-builts come with a
load of pre-installed crap. Get it out of the way with a safe boot and
retest.[/QUOTE]

(Touch [US: knock on] wood, the external kbd. is working OK this
evening. I like using it - nice having a proper numpad and so on - just,
obviously, it makes the PC a lot less portable.) No, I haven't tried
safe mode; not saying it isn't something to do with the pre-installed
crap, but it seems unlikely, as it's been fine for several years, just
started playing up recently. I still have the feeling something I do
triggers it, but haven't yet figured out what, if anything.

Whoops`it's`just`gone`again.`I`think`it`was`after`using`some`Alt-`or
Ctrl-key`combination`(though`that`might`have`been`just`the`first`thing`I
noticed`wasn't`working`properly).