Problem with Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

jazabelle

Keyboard working fine, plugged into USB. Then suddenly everything goes a little odd - mouse will only zoom, not scroll, most keys stop working, clicking on links make them open in another page. Restart, problem still there.

Keyboard will sometimes create an accented e, but nothing else. Backspace/arrow keys not working either.

As on a bit of a time crunch, swap computers - as assume I've turned some weird setting on, and will try and resolve later.

Plus keyboard into new laptop, all the same issues appear.

Restarted on this one now stops the problem, but as soon as I plug it in they all come back. Don't gave the function key on or anything odd.

The other laptop still has the same issues though, as restarting didn't resolve it.

Any ideas please?

gjchester

Best guess is a CRTL, SHIFT or ALT key has failed or got stuck.

Try bashing them a little and see if that fixes it, or if your careful lever the key caps off and clean under them in case they are stuck down.

From experience of having to do it for people cleaning Hot Chocolate is a pain, as are fruit juices, that can cause these type of errors...

cookie365

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZhCzOOhX2E

It has possibly the worst production values I've ever seen on youtube - which is an achievement in itself.

But at least it does sort of show you how to take the thing apart so you can clean it and get rid of detritus.

jazabelle

Thanks very much.

The problem is I can't turn one of the laptops on at all - as it needs a password, and the keyboard won't type.

So by plugging in the USB keyboard, it's somehow impacted the keyboard on the laptop as well.

Any ideas how I can fix this please?

Fightsback

jazabelle wrote: »

Thanks very much.

The problem is I can't turn one of the laptops on at all - as it needs a password, and the keyboard won't type.

So by plugging in the USB keyboard, it's somehow impacted the keyboard on the laptop as well.

Any ideas how I can fix this please?

???

Do you mean you have a laptop which has a faulty keyboard so you have plugged the in MS keyboard or do you mean you have a laptop which you have plugged the faulty keyboard in ?

Well as the faulty MS keyboard you have plugged in will be sending keyboard commands to the laptop this is no surprise.

You resolve this by fixing the MS keyboard as suggested above or buy a new USB keyboard. Plenty of USB keyboards on Amazon for for around £5

MS=Microsoft

jazabelle

The other way round - the laptop's keyboard was fine. I plugged in the Microsoft keyboard, which then went faulty, which has stopped the laptop keyboard working.

So just plugging in a working keyboard should fix it again?

gjchester

jazabelle wrote: »

Thanks very much.

The problem is I can't turn one of the laptops on at all - as it needs a password, and the keyboard won't type.

So by plugging in the USB keyboard, it's somehow impacted the keyboard on the laptop as well.

Any ideas how I can fix this please?

If its not typing at all its down to the laptop not seeing the Keyboard and as has been said a new (or loan) keyboard is the fix.

It could also be that its typing the wrong password, is there any indication (such as dots or starts its typing anything? You said its typing a ! instead of e. If you password was poweron then if the keys are stuck you may be entering p!w!r!n which is obviously is not the right password.

Its also possible that if you plugged in an external keyboard then its turned on (or off) num or Func lock on the keyboard. Check the laptop has not turned on the F-Lock or Num Lock and your not actually typing what you think you are typing, as an example M is often a 0 (zero) when Num Lock is on, on a laptop. Usually there are a set of LEDs on or by the relevant keys that tell you the status.

jazabelle

Right, problem solved! One of the keys - the alt gr was slightly pressed in - so slight I hadn't noticed. I've loosened it off, and it's now working and as you all said a working keyboard has made the laptop keyboard work again. Phew!

This was of course the first suggestion - I hadn't ignored it, but was ill in bed yesterday so hadn't had a chance to go through all the suggestions properly.

Thanks everyone!

Fightsback

jazabelle wrote: »

The other way round - the laptop's keyboard was fine. I plugged in the Microsoft keyboard, which then went faulty, which has stopped the laptop keyboard working.

So just plugging in a working keyboard should fix it again?

Sounds like a daft question, but have you actually unplugged the MS keyboard from the laptop and rebooted the laptop ?

Edit: Just noticed your reply after posting. Lot of sticky keys going on there, food/sugary drinks don't mix with keyboards very well

jazabelle

Fightsback wrote: »

Sounds like a daft question, but have you actually unplugged the MS keyboard from the laptop and rebooted the laptop ?

Yes, I tried that a number of times. On one laptop that resolved it straight away, but the other remained more stubborn. But very thankfully found the issue now, so all is well!

Do appreciate the help everyone.

jazabelle

Fightsback wrote: »

Sounds like a daft question, but have you actually unplugged the MS keyboard from the laptop and rebooted the laptop ?

Edit: Just noticed your replay after posting. Lot of sticky keys going on there, food/sugary drinks don't mix with keyboards very well

True, but I'm a water drinker! :A

But it is quite an old laptop now. Been dragged to many different workplaces over the years and then finally home. (And yes it's mine, I didn't steal it from work!)