For some weird reason, some of my keyboard keys of my Asus s96j laptop are acting very strangely. I don't remember a certain time when it started and I can't recognize any pattern as to when it happens and when it doesn't. The problem occurs in Windows XP, XP Safe Mode, Vista, and Vista Safe mode (I have a dual boot system). Here's what's happening:
When I push the I,K,comma,or 8 keys (notice how they are all in the same column), instead of just getting that character, I get extra characters afterwards. For example, I'll push the k key and it will print "ksfda", pushing "I" gives me "IWREQ", comma gives me ",xvcz", pushing 8 gives me "82431".
There are a couple things that i have noticed:
1) it does not happen every time I push the key
2) It happens in all OS and applications I have tested
3) the characters coming after the desired ones are in the same pattern (column order: 2,4,3,1 from the left of the keyboard in the same row as the key pressed)
4) pressing "]" will sometimes give me "]t", and if done in Notepad, will bring up the "Find" dialog window
5) I cannot seem to remember a specific time the problem started, although I have been defragging, using TuneUp Utilities + CCleaner, and installing lots of new programs lately.
A system restore did not fix the issue. Is there any way that this isn't a hardware problem? I don't want to complain to Asus if the problem is actually with a rebellious piece of software or some Microsoft keyboard alias setting that I don't know about.
Thanks,
Andy
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Considering all you've done I'd say it is extremely unlikely to be a software problem. To rule out any possibility of software/malware you can boot from the XP CD in recovery console mode and make sure the problem continues there also.
It could be the BIOS firmware at fault, so if you have the means you could reinstall/update the bios, but I'd vote for contacting Asus assuming it is within warranty.
I had a very similar problem with a Compaq M2000 the other day. When you pressed the p key, the computer would move backwards one space and type op. So the word jump became juopm. There were a lot of keys that did crazy things like that, all on that side of the keyboard. It turned out to be the mainboard that needed replacing. I changed the keyboard first to no effect.
Of course, can't be sure about your laptop. I would try the keyboard first as that is easiest/cheapest, and then the mainboard. But if its under warranty just call ASUS.
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by: jamietonerPosted on 2007-05-19 at 22:13:29ID: 19122304
I would try with an external keyboard, but most likely its a bad keyboard, possible a controller issue but the keyboard is what i would replace first.