My computer has started having an issue. Specifically, the i, k, 8, and comma keys are not consistently working.
The problem manifested itself first with "i" key. I was happily typing along and suddenly I got notified of a mis-spelling. "Oh" I thought to myself, "I missed an i". Hit the key and nothing happened. Then after a bit, an "i" populated.
"Maybe the key is stuck" I thought to myself. I tried to clean out under the key, first with a paper clip and then with canned air at work. No such luck. And as I paid attention, I realized it was not just the i key, but the 8, k, and comma keys as well (which make a diagonal line down the standard QWERTY keyboard).
The odd thing is that it is not consistent. Sometimes it can take 30 seconds for a character to appears. Sometimes they start flowing as if nothing happened. Sometimes I wait and then all of a sudden I get five of the same character. It is very frustrating. And for capital "I", only the Cap Lock button seems to work.
The number "8" is not often used. "K" more so. Commas even more and "i" - well, it turns out a lot of English words used "i".
The inconsistency of it makes me wonder if it is a driver issue (those "i's" just all came out fine for example). Research online does not suggest something particular in that direction and all general updates seem in order. It seems consistent across multiple browsers but less pronounced in Libre Office.
Deep thoughts may be slightly delayed during this interval until I find a solution.
Fortunately keyboards are fairly cheap these days so I would probably just lean towards replacement. The diagonal aspect of it makes me feel as if it is an internal keyboard issue and probably not fixable.
ReplyDeleteI still have the first computer my parents ever bought, an Apple IIe, that I learned how to program in basic as a very young teenager. When my parents decided to get rid of it, decades ago, I set it up to reminisce but the "e" key keeps sticking. Sometimes it won't add an "e" and other time it will issue forth a lengthy string of them. I tried cleaning it with the compressed air and rubbing alcohol on a swab but to no avail. So it sits in the corner of my basement gathering dust and perhaps someday waiting for inspiration.
Ed - Unfortunately the keyboard is integrated so no replacement - although we have an old USB keyboard that The Ravishing Mrs. TB will bring in two weeks so this is a short term problem at best. A replacement at some point would be great but not in the cards financially for a bit.
DeleteOur first computer was also an Apple IIe! I have many happy memories of sitting in front of it late at night playing Wasteland and the Ultima series.
In my mind everyone uses a desktop with auxillary keyboard. I'm not sure why I didn't think about a laptop which makes things a lot more problematic.
DeleteLode Breaker and the Oregon Trail were my two games on the IIe. I still have the floppy diskettes with those games on them but I'm guessing they might be unplayable after all these years.
Ed, it is a bit odd (although we have workstations at my place of employ that has a docking area which includes a wired keyboard). At worst it is a manageable effort - although at least right now, the problem seems to have at least temporarily resolved itself (to STxAR and Pete's point below maybe an update issue).
DeleteIf you are dying to play those games, there are abandonware sites that only require an emulator. I have found most of the games I played in the 1980's and 1990's there.
Ed, I don't know about Lode Breaker, but Oregon Trail is available to play online for free - https://www.visitoregon.com/the-oregon-trail-game-online/
DeleteYah, substituting me or myself would be a bit awkward TB. The inconsistency is vexing.
ReplyDeleteNylon12, it is an opportunity both to expand my vocabulary as well as perhaps spend a bit less time on the InterWeb overall.
Deletemaybe you could replace just those keys? Did that with a laptop, the little rubber button under them wore out. Unfortunately I don't remember where I bought them except online. I also learned not to be so aggressive while typing, HA! :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day!
~hobo
Hobo - I thought about that, but it looks a little more complicated to me than such things were back in the day - apparently my laptop has an integrated key with plastic clips that break if removed (or so the InterWeb tells me).
DeleteAlso perhaps I too need to check my banging of the keys.
If it was Micro$oft, I'd reckon a recent security update. I don't know diddly about A-Peel products.
ReplyDeleteSTxAR, you may not be far off. I do have an update which has failed to update and Microsoft says it is a known issue - so maybe. It is working better this evening.
DeleteTry connecting an external keyboard. If the problem goes away, the computer's keyboard is bad. If the problem persists, the trouble is software related; possibly a driver issue.
ReplyDeleteSince you say the keyboard is integrated, I'm assuming a laptop here. Depending on the machine, the keyboard may be fully integrated with the motherboard. Bad. Your only recourses here are either an external keyboard or a replacement laptop. Many laptops though, have a keyboard that's basically screwed onto the motherboard and fed via a ribbon cable. These keyboards are CHEAP and are EASY to replace! Do a search to see which you have. For the replaceable ones, it's usually a couple of screws, a pry here, a pry there, and the bezel around the keyboard comes off, exposing the keyboard, its retaining screws, and the ribbon cable. Undo the screws and pull the ribbon cable. Lift out the old keyboard. Put the ribbon cable into the new keyboard and reattach it. Put the bezel back on. It takes less time to do than it took to describe.
Thanks Pete! It is a laptop (apparently I should have specified that). I suddenly realized today I can take it to work and at least check the keyboard/update issue right enough; if so, I will just trudge on and wait for the update.
DeleteThank you for the very clear instructions! The screws seem accessible enough, although getting into its guts is always a little alarming to me. If tomorrow's keyboard test confirms a driver/update issue, I will at least be a little less worried. This is not the time for a new laptop.
There is certainly a Youtube video on replacing the keyboard in your laptop. I had one that had the keyboard installed as the first element installed in the case. Everything had to come out to get to it. Others are as described above and quite easy to access. Buy the keyboard from Amazon or Ebay.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have 95% determined it is a driver related issue and will confirm by Friday (which makes me a bit sad only because there seem to be no ready driver solutions) - but if not, good to know the material is out there.
DeleteOther than where to play Oregon Trail online for free, I'm clueless. Anonymous's idea to check YouTube might help. Everything is on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteHeh heh. The Tube of You,, the dispenser of all knowledge.
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