Wireless keyboard "stalls"

Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard malfunction
occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in to Microsoft took
many attempts because the keyboard just stops responding to key strokes. If
I wait a few seconds the next letter can be typed in, maybe more than one
letter, maybe a whole sentence, and then the next keystroke does nothing.
Acts like keyboard totally loses contact with the computer.

Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an uninstall
and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution until a few days
ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and support said the problem
was caused by some program I had downloaded. They had no clue what program
that might be. This time I did a system restore thinking that would take
care of the problem if it was a download. Keyboard actually seemed to
function well for about one day before beginning to "stall" again.

Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really seems to me
like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it and don't want
support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough for the warranty to
expire.

Thanks,
Mike

Dian and Mike wrote:
> Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard malfunction
> occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in to Microsoft
> took many attempts because the keyboard just stops responding to key
> strokes. If I wait a few seconds the next letter can be typed in, maybe
> more than one letter, maybe a whole sentence, and then the next
> keystroke does nothing. Acts like keyboard totally loses contact with
> the computer.
>
> Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an
> uninstall and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution until
> a few days ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and support
> said the problem was caused by some program I had downloaded. They had
> no clue what program that might be. This time I did a system restore
> thinking that would take care of the problem if it was a download.
> Keyboard actually seemed to function well for about one day before
> beginning to "stall" again.
>
> Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really seems
> to me like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it and don't
> want support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough for the
> warranty to expire.
>
> Thanks,
> Mike


How old are the batteries?

"Charlie Tame" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Dian and Mike wrote:
>> Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard malfunction
>> occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in to Microsoft
>> took many attempts because the keyboard just stops responding to key
>> strokes. If I wait a few seconds the next letter can be typed in, maybe
>> more than one letter, maybe a whole sentence, and then the next keystroke
>> does nothing. Acts like keyboard totally loses contact with the computer.
>>
>> Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an
>> uninstall and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution until a
>> few days ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and support said
>> the problem was caused by some program I had downloaded. They had no
>> clue what program that might be. This time I did a system restore
>> thinking that would take care of the problem if it was a download.
>> Keyboard actually seemed to function well for about one day before
>> beginning to "stall" again.
>>
>> Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really seems to
>> me like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it and don't want
>> support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough for the warranty to
>> expire.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mike
>
>
> How old are the batteries?

First thing I did was to put in new batteries. Old batteries did test a
very strong "good" on my battery tester.
Mike

Dian and Mike wrote:
> "Charlie Tame" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
>> Dian and Mike wrote:
>>> Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard
>>> malfunction occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in
>>> to Microsoft took many attempts because the keyboard just stops
>>> responding to key strokes. If I wait a few seconds the next letter
>>> can be typed in, maybe more than one letter, maybe a whole sentence,
>>> and then the next keystroke does nothing. Acts like keyboard totally
>>> loses contact with the computer.
>>>
>>> Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an
>>> uninstall and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution
>>> until a few days ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and
>>> support said the problem was caused by some program I had
>>> downloaded. They had no clue what program that might be. This time
>>> I did a system restore thinking that would take care of the problem
>>> if it was a download. Keyboard actually seemed to function well for
>>> about one day before beginning to "stall" again.
>>>
>>> Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really
>>> seems to me like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it
>>> and don't want support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough
>>> for the warranty to expire.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Mike
>>
>>
>> How old are the batteries?
>
> First thing I did was to put in new batteries. Old batteries did test a
> very strong "good" on my battery tester.
> Mike
>


Ah, I had one and the batteries showed good but it was terrible after a
very short time and batteries still good... darned thing now in trash,
oh well.

So does it stick and print the letters late or does it actually miss out
letters, sounds like you mean it misses some completely. Does the
receiver part plug into USB?

If so have you tried another port?


If an ordinary keyboard works okay in the same port then it may be some
kind of interference from equipment or some kind of hardware failure. I
can see a special driver being needed for function keys, but ordinary
keys should work whatever.

Dian and Mike wrote:
> Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard malfunction
> occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in to Microsoft
> took many attempts because the keyboard just stops responding to key
> strokes. If I wait a few seconds the next letter can be typed in, maybe
> more than one letter, maybe a whole sentence, and then the next
> keystroke does nothing. Acts like keyboard totally loses contact with
> the computer.
>
> Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an
> uninstall and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution until
> a few days ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and support
> said the problem was caused by some program I had downloaded. They had
> no clue what program that might be. This time I did a system restore
> thinking that would take care of the problem if it was a download.
> Keyboard actually seemed to function well for about one day before
> beginning to "stall" again.
>
> Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really seems
> to me like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it and don't
> want support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough for the
> warranty to expire.
>
> Thanks,
> Mike


My experience with Microsoft wireless was that when I had problems with
them I just needed to find the right location for the USB Dongle.
Regardless of the instructions that came with it, I found that location
is everything. Just like the antennae of a radio, I kept moving it
around till I found a spot where it works flawlessly.

--
Dave T.

If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

Dave T. wrote:
> Dian and Mike wrote:
>> Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard
>> malfunction occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in
>> to Microsoft took many attempts because the keyboard just stops
>> responding to key strokes. If I wait a few seconds the next letter
>> can be typed in, maybe more than one letter, maybe a whole sentence,
>> and then the next keystroke does nothing. Acts like keyboard totally
>> loses contact with the computer.
>>
>> Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an
>> uninstall and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution
>> until a few days ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and
>> support said the problem was caused by some program I had downloaded.
>> They had no clue what program that might be. This time I did a system
>> restore thinking that would take care of the problem if it was a
>> download. Keyboard actually seemed to function well for about one day
>> before beginning to "stall" again.
>>
>> Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really seems
>> to me like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it and don't
>> want support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough for the
>> warranty to expire.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mike
>
>
> My experience with Microsoft wireless was that when I had problems with
> them I just needed to find the right location for the USB Dongle.
> Regardless of the instructions that came with it, I found that location
> is everything. Just like the antennae of a radio, I kept moving it
> around till I found a spot where it works flawlessly.
>

Mine was not MS but I found that one had to be closer than one would
have to be with a cheap Kbd extension cord

OTOH it cost <$10 from Office Depot

Charlie Tame wrote:

>>
>
> Mine was not MS but I found that one had to be closer than one would
> have to be with a cheap Kbd extension cord
>
> OTOH it cost <$10 from Office Depot

Charlie, I found this Microsoft keyboard and mouse bundle on sale at
Staples for $19 (normally $52). Had to download a vista driver, but as I
said it gave me probs for awhile and it didn't matter if I changed
batteries. I moved the dongle around and now no probs. I put it up on
top of the computer case so it is elevated above the mouse and keyboard
and now it works flawlessly. I can type fairly fast, and it never misses
a beat.

--
Dave T.

If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

"Charlie Tame" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Dian and Mike wrote:
>> "Charlie Tame" <> wrote in message
>> news:%...
>>> Dian and Mike wrote:
>>>> Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard malfunction
>>>> occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign in to Microsoft
>>>> took many attempts because the keyboard just stops responding to key
>>>> strokes. If I wait a few seconds the next letter can be typed in,
>>>> maybe more than one letter, maybe a whole sentence, and then the next
>>>> keystroke does nothing. Acts like keyboard totally loses contact with
>>>> the computer.
>>>>
>>>> Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an
>>>> uninstall and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution until
>>>> a few days ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and support
>>>> said the problem was caused by some program I had downloaded. They had
>>>> no clue what program that might be. This time I did a system restore
>>>> thinking that would take care of the problem if it was a download.
>>>> Keyboard actually seemed to function well for about one day before
>>>> beginning to "stall" again.
>>>>
>>>> Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really seems
>>>> to me like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it and don't
>>>> want support to tell me how to fix it for just long enough for the
>>>> warranty to expire.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Mike
>>>
>>>
>>> How old are the batteries?
>>
>> First thing I did was to put in new batteries. Old batteries did test a
>> very strong "good" on my battery tester.
>> Mike
>>
>
>
> Ah, I had one and the batteries showed good but it was terrible after a
> very short time and batteries still good... darned thing now in trash, oh
> well.
>
> So does it stick and print the letters late or does it actually miss out
> letters, sounds like you mean it misses some completely. Does the receiver
> part plug into USB?
>
> If so have you tried another port?
>
>
> If an ordinary keyboard works okay in the same port then it may be some
> kind of interference from equipment or some kind of hardware failure. I
> can see a special driver being needed for function keys, but ordinary keys
> should work whatever.

Charlie,
Thanks for your help. I'm pretty well convinced the "interference" catch
all is not applicable. What actually happens is the keyboard essentially
freezes: no response to key strokes, cursor doesn't move. Waiting for a few
seconds usually "unfreezes" and any key stroke displays immediately on the
screen. There is never a "buffer" where keystrokes come up on the screen
after a delay. When is "unfreezes", everything is fine for one keystroke, or
more, there is never any indication when it will freeze again.

Keep in mind, the problem was repaired for several months by uninstall and
reinstall in safe mode with direction from support. I prefer not to go back
there because; 1.free support period has expired 2 really had a hard time
understanding the support person 3 if it does fix the problem again the
"fix" will probably be temporary 4 I think the only way for permanent fix is
to know what's causing the problem and I believe it is in the software

Hoping for more suggestions.

Thanks again,
Mike

Dian and Mike wrote:
>
> "Charlie Tame" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Dian and Mike wrote:
>>> "Charlie Tame" <> wrote in message
>>> news:%...
>>>> Dian and Mike wrote:
>>>>> Posted this problem on the email newsgroup but the keyboard
>>>>> malfunction occurs in other programs, as well. Attempting to sign
>>>>> in to Microsoft took many attempts because the keyboard just stops
>>>>> responding to key strokes. If I wait a few seconds the next letter
>>>>> can be typed in, maybe more than one letter, maybe a whole
>>>>> sentence, and then the next keystroke does nothing. Acts like
>>>>> keyboard totally loses contact with the computer.
>>>>>
>>>>> Had this problem 4-5 months ago and support talked me through an
>>>>> uninstall and re-install in safe mode which seemed a 99% solution
>>>>> until a few days ago. My computer was only about six weeks old and
>>>>> support said the problem was caused by some program I had
>>>>> downloaded. They had no clue what program that might be. This
>>>>> time I did a system restore thinking that would take care of the
>>>>> problem if it was a download. Keyboard actually seemed to function
>>>>> well for about one day before beginning to "stall" again.
>>>>>
>>>>> Should I be seeking warranty replacement of my keyboard? Really
>>>>> seems to me like a software problem but I don't know how to fix it
>>>>> and don't want support to tell me how to fix it for just long
>>>>> enough for the warranty to expire.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Mike
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> How old are the batteries?
>>>
>>> First thing I did was to put in new batteries. Old batteries did
>>> test a very strong "good" on my battery tester.
>>> Mike
>>>
>>
>>
>> Ah, I had one and the batteries showed good but it was terrible after
>> a very short time and batteries still good... darned thing now in
>> trash, oh well.
>>
>> So does it stick and print the letters late or does it actually miss
>> out letters, sounds like you mean it misses some completely. Does the
>> receiver part plug into USB?
>>
>> If so have you tried another port?
>>
>>
>> If an ordinary keyboard works okay in the same port then it may be
>> some kind of interference from equipment or some kind of hardware
>> failure. I can see a special driver being needed for function keys,
>> but ordinary keys should work whatever.
>
> Charlie,
> Thanks for your help. I'm pretty well convinced the "interference" catch
> all is not applicable. What actually happens is the keyboard essentially
> freezes: no response to key strokes, cursor doesn't move. Waiting for a
> few
> seconds usually "unfreezes" and any key stroke displays immediately on the
> screen. There is never a "buffer" where keystrokes come up on the screen
> after a delay. When is "unfreezes", everything is fine for one
> keystroke, or
> more, there is never any indication when it will freeze again.
>
> Keep in mind, the problem was repaired for several months by uninstall and
> reinstall in safe mode with direction from support. I prefer not to go
> back
> there because; 1.free support period has expired 2 really had a hard time
> understanding the support person 3 if it does fix the problem again the
> "fix" will probably be temporary 4 I think the only way for permanent
> fix is
> to know what's causing the problem and I believe it is in the software
>
> Hoping for more suggestions.
>
> Thanks again,
> Mike
>


What exactly did they have you install, can you find the maker's website
and look for drivers yourself? If you can give the name and model maybe
someone can find something if you can't. I agree it would be silly to pay.