Specific key problems

Question

I have a new D820 (about a month old) and in the last week i have noticed errors with two specific keys, the down arrow and the delete key.  When typing in a text program, pressing the down gives '/n', while the delete key give '6=-'.  In a internet browsing situation, the down arrow key gives me the drop down menu for the browser (same as right-clicking on the window's header) in addition to going back a page.  The delete brings up the microsoft help menu.  I have uninstalled\reinstalled the keyboard and attempted driver update with no changes to the problem.  Any advice would be appreciated. Tom

linkerc · Answer

I just got my D820 and the left ctrl key is like the HELP key and the right ctrl key is toggling the sound mute function.

Is this a Dell specific problem? This is very very anoying. I can't even use the ctrl-alt-del to login.

Luckily the alt-ctrl (in that order) will pop up the login window.

Any help will be highly appreciated.

beveragemp · Answer

I just had a Dell tech walk me through reseating the keyboard ribbon cable and it fixed my quircky keayboard problem. Be careful though as that ribbon cable is fairly delicate.   Mike

linkerc · Answer

I chatted with a Dell tech support and they are sending me a new keyboard.
External USB keyboard does not have this problem.
It's good to finally get to the bottom of this. I was convinced the problem is on the SW and even reinstalled Windows XP.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check the cable once I get the replacement part. Maybe there's no need to replace the keyboard after all.

Linekr...

CedarEden · Answer

Dell Tech Support are telling me to use system restore back a week or so. Well, my laptop is about that new and so they are asking me to wipe out everything I've installed -- many long days setting the system up. And they told me "We don't go by the FORUMS" so refuse to accept this is more than an isolated event.

Be curious to hear what folks have installed on their machines to find maybe a similarity in software that might have caused it.

linkerc · Answer

For me, it's the cable not set properly.
My condition happened 2 days after I turn on the machine.
I have not install any software at all except the windows automatic update.

That was the reason I did not suspect a HW issue initially.
After unplug and plug back the keyboard cable, everything works fine.

Hope this helps.

Linker...

CedarEden · Answer

Yes, thanks. After ignoring last night's chat (tech wanted me to system restore back to day 1 thereby uninstalling ALL my apps, including ones I had to authenticate - Photoshop, Dreamweaver), I spoke with a great tech guy today who walked me through the cable resetting. Hopefully the fix lasts.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

Specific key problems

Was this post helpful?