Hi Dells4dch,

Thanks for posting. Before we can forumulate an answer, several troubleshooting questions need to be asked:

• Does this happen without the external devices attached to the computer? 
• Are you plugging the keyboard into the dock or the laptop? 
• Have you tried the keyboard plugged into different usb ports on the dock?
• Have you tried the keyboard plugged into the dock without the external monitor?
• Are you using a Dell E-Port replicator or another brand?
• Are you starting from off or a sleep mode?

If all of this has been tried, then it would seem that one or more of the peripherals is hogging a resource, or a program being run on the computer is taking resources away from the E-Port replicator, or a power saving/docked - un-docked  profile might be in use.

Post back here so that more experts can assist.  Thanks.

Regards,
Robert

Correction:

I have also just set Kaspersky TO concede resources to other applications.

Robert,

Thanks for your response.  Below is some additional info.

One time when the keyboard stopped responding I opened the notebook while it was still in the e-port replicator and tried the notebook keyboard.  There was still no response.

I have used the USB keyboard plugged into both the notebook and the docking station.

I don't recall trying other USB ports.

I have not tried without the external monitors yet.

I am using Dell E-Port replicators.

I am starting from a fully shutdown notebook.

Curious if other software might be causing issues. Some installed programs include MS Office 2013, Notepad++, Paint.net, BeyondCompare, VMware Workstation 11, FileZilla, Greenshot, Google Drive, Chrome, Tracker PDF Viewer, GoToMeeting, Kaspersky Internet Security..... 

I have configured Greenshot to NOT start at startup as I had read about a memory leak.  I have also just set Kaspersky to not conceed resources to other applications.

Something odd happened yesterday.  The keyboard was working fine until I tried using VM workstation.  There was no keyboard response.  The keyboard still worked fine outside of the VM.

Keyboard responds fine after a restart.  I have also tried 2 different USB keyboards with the same issues.

I have taken the E6430s out of the docking stations and am using just the notebook monitor and one external monitor.  USBs are direct to the E6430s.  Not sure if it took longer but I had keyboard issues again.  At one time I was able to use the on screen keyboard and then later the physical external keyboard responded again.  I had forgotten to give the notebook keyboard a try.  Also, it was odd that some keys (ie: arrows) were responsive.

Curious if Google Chrome is using too many resources as I have several tabs open.  I am using an older version of IE for a specific website.  I may give Firefox a try for Gmail and calendar.

While this is frustrating I find it interesting that this error repeats.  I am using a recently purchased E5430 from Dell Financial Services (DFS).  All of my machines in use are from DFS.  Some were purchased via the eBay store while the others were purchased from the Dell Auction site.  They are refurbished units.  I think all are refurbished by GENCO.

Today the keyboard stopped working 3 hours after I logged on.  This seems typically, 2-4 hours.  This occurred while I was trying to rename a new folder in Windows Explorer.  I was using an external USB keyboard that was attached to the Dell port replicator.  The keyboard also did not respond when I moved the USB keyboard from the port replicator to the USB on the E5430.  The E5430 keyboard also did not respond.  Caps Lock turns on and off with the E5430 keyboard and the USB keyboard.  The On Screen Keyboard works fine.

Keyboards did not respond in FileZilla, Gcal nor Excel either.  Keyboards work fine in IE for Gmail and Google Search.

I had the following running:  Internet Explorer (Gmail and Gcal), Windows Explorer, RDCMan, Dell Smart Settings and Google Drive (with only a small portion of my GDrive).

I gathered screen shots of Task Manager and Resource Monitor.

20 minutes later, with no restart, keyboard is working fine.

Task Manager showed CPU at 3% and 2.71 GB of RAM in use (of 8 GB).

I get this error with multiple Dell PCs (several E6430 and a E5430).

After browsing for info on Sleep Mode I came across Microsoft windows locks up or an error occurs in the Knowledge Base, Look for Multiple Anti-virus Programs .  On this E5430 I disabled Windows defender as I have Kaspersky Internet Security installed.