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July 25th, 2023 16:00
x17 R1, double typing
Alienware x17 R1
Recently bought a used - like new condition X17. (Yes I know it's obviously better to buy new as warranty etc, but I couldn't afford it and wanted one of these beauties.) Anyway, the laptop is lovely - beautifully built, runs well obviously, etc. And I can see it really has barely been used - can't see any even slight wear on any of the keys, and the few tiny marks I can see are in line with what I'd expect with a barely used laptop. It's beautiful.
However, the one problem I'm noticing is occasionally it double-types. My first thought was debris in the keyboard - it was a little dusty when I opened it but nothing major - but it doesn't seem to fit. I've had laptops/devices in the past where keys have either double-typed or not typed at all due to not keeping the keyboard clean enough, my own fault - but it was always the same keys and was a frequent, re-creatable situation. However on my Alienware, this seems to happen at complete random, with any key - sometimes there will be a delay, eg I think 'laptop' came out as 'laptotp' last night (ironically I think this was after reading a post online where the same word came out the same way for someone having the same issue), where the 't' double-typed but not until after I'd pressed the 'o'. I've read people saying it seems to happen when they type fast, but this doesn't always seem to be the case with me.
I've been talking to people online already but wanted more opinions and ffigured where better to come than the Alienware forums? The people I've spoken to seem to think it's softwware rather than hardware, someone said they uninstalled and reinstalled the Alienwware software and it fixed it for them. They said something in it would use 100% CPU for a second and then close, causing the issue. I've tried watching the task manager for a bit but I can't see anything, however I haven't watched it for long as it makes my eyes go funny. It seems this could be the problem as the double-typing mostly seems to happen in bursts - eg I made it to the start of tthis paragraph without it happening, now it's happened multiple times - I've left the extra letters in so you can see exactly what I'm ttalking about and how it's happening. I've also noticed it potentially happens when I'm writing a post and it gets long - I first noticed it was a problem last night, it's a bit sad really as I was writing a long mostly positive post about my experience buying Alienware secondhand, and by the time I got to the end, I had noticed this was a thting (<--- the delayed double-type). To me at least, if it's not coincidence that it's happening more towards the end of a longer post, it also implies a possible CPU thing maybe? I found it harder to replicate this in notepad, I typed a lot of random things on tthere last night to see if it would do it, and it happeneed I think once, which could have been my own mistyyping and not the keyboard although idk.
Has anyone else experienced this? From what I can see, it does seem to be a thing. Do you think it's the software? Have yyou pinpointed anything specific causing it? Have you fixed the issue yourself? I will likely try the software advice I'vee already been given but waiting as don't have great internet connection atm (not because of the laptop). I'm looking at this post and seeing repeats of certain letters that are double-typing more, however when I'm tryying to replicate this (eg tyyping 'eye' multiple timees), the keys are fine. It's really strange. I hope it's not hardware, it's no longer in warranty anyway (looks like it ran out in December) and I'm reluctant to send it in anywhere after some really bad experiences in the past, plus it's not usually even noticeable - you can see how much worse it's got as this post has got longer though. If anyone can advice, offer a suggestion or solution, I'd really appreceiate it please - the laptop's only about a year and a half old and I want it working perfectly for as long as possible. Thank you
EDIT: Also I tried the accessibility settings last night, thought even if not ideal I could stop it by turning off repeated keystrokes, but it still happened. Also adjusted delay slider so I had to hold down a key for ages to get it to repeat, still happened. I could be wrong but this leads me to believe it's software rather than a physical problem..?
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filbert
6 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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July 25th, 2023 16:00
Yes, I've seen similar effect on laptop keyboards. Sometimes it's a Windows issue, sometimes it's a driver issue, sometimes it's a hardware issue. There are several things you can try, to narrow down whether the problem is with your keyboard hardware or with something related to Windows.
Connect an external USB keyboard and try that for a while. If the issue also occurs with the external keyboard, then the issue is something in Windows. If the issue does not occur with the external keyboard, then it's likely a hardware issue with the onboard keyboard and it may need to be replaced.
Here are some other things to try:
Dell keyboard troubleshooting guide:
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-ca/000131432/keyboard-usage-and-troubleshooting-guide
IndiaHawker
4 Posts
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July 25th, 2023 17:00
Thank you, this is really helpful! I don't currently have a USB keyboard, I'll get one if necessary, if I can find a bluetooth keyboard that I can connect would this work just as well? I do know a computer guy, I assume he does laptop stuff as well, but if it comes to it I'll speak to him as I'd rather someone I know after the bad experiences with repairs I've had. Is a keyboard replacement a relatively easy repair? I wouldn't trust myself to try myself, but is it pretty straightforward to a computer person? Thank you
filbert
6 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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July 25th, 2023 17:00
You could try a Bluetooth keyboard. The whole point of trying an external keyboard and the Windows on-screen keyboard, and trying Linux and Safe Mode, is to collect data to narrow down if it's an issue in Windows or a hardware failure.
Unfortunately, on that laptop it's a major teardown to reach the keyboard. If you have the right tools and are careful and organized, you might be able to attempt it yourself. However, many delicate ribbon cables must be disconnected and many parts removed, so it's easy to break something if you're unsure how to perform a particular task.
Whoever does the work should follow the disassembly and reassembly steps in Alienware x17 R1 Service Manual. Here are the procedures to remove the keyboard and, as you can see, it's a lot of work.
Look on YouTube for videos showing disassembly of your model. But, be cautious with them, as some use steps or methods that are not appropriate. Use the videos to add to your understanding of what to do, but follow the steps in Dell's manual.
Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. (Repeatedly touching a metal case part is not sufficient mitigation with modern components.)
filbert
6 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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July 25th, 2023 18:00
I meant to ask you if you're in the US, but forgot. If you are, the $100 repair (+ cost of parts) that Crimson mentioned is a good option. It's possible that a local repair technician might charge labour of more than $100, given the work involved. And, Parts-People will warranty the parts and their work.
crimsom
9 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
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July 25th, 2023 18:00
Hi @IndiaHawker welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
Advocate using $100 Dell Laptop Repair | Dell Repair | Laptop Repair | Notebook Service Center (parts-people.com).
IndiaHawker
4 Posts
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July 25th, 2023 18:00
Thanks, you're awesome. This is really helpful - no I won't be attempting it myself, but if it comes to it, the computer guy I know is legit, he does it for a job although want to check if he does laptops specifically usually or if just computers and general tech. If it comes to needing his help though, I'll show him the links in your post though, thank you
IndiaHawker
4 Posts
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July 25th, 2023 19:00
No I'm in the UK! I'm not sure if we have something similar here though, however when I sent a laptop in for warranty repair going back a few years (not to Dell but to a reputable/well-known PC shop in the UK, the shop I'd bought it from) they messed it up multiple times - each time it came back something else was wrong with it, and it was a really good one for the time (going back probably over 10 years, but it was a glorious chunky shiny HP laptop, something like 17.9 inch screen, with a beautiful light up mirrored media bar and a fingerprint reader, I still look back on it fondly) - they messed it up so badly they had to give me I think the price of it new in vouchers iirc. Hence me being very protective of sending anything in for repairs unless absolutely necessary nowadays - although my issue at the time was necessary, it made me see how even good places can really get things wrong and with this not being in warranty, if it were messed up it's me that's out of pocket.
However, saying that - I've confirmed it's software, at least as much as I can at this point. I connected an old bluetooth keyboard from an ipad to my laptop - tried editing a long post I'd made somewhere as long posts seem to trigger it more, and it was still doing it. Some of the same letters as my previous post on here, and some different letters (however I haven't been paying much attention till now about if it's certain letters it does it with). Then I was worried thinking perhaps where it's an old keyboard it double types anyway and maybe it wasn't a good keyboard to test with, so I tried connecting it to my iphone and editing I think the same post, or another long one. I typed loads again, and this time, no double typing. On both the laptop and the iphone there were instances where I'd missed keys which was due to my own poor typing on an unfamiliar keyboard, plus trying to type fast, but only the laptop showed double typing. So my next step will be trying the advice I've received and crossing my fingers. It's interesting how certain keys do seem to be prone to doing it more, however not in a replicate-able 'this key isn't working' way. It bothers me less now I have enough reason to think it's just software and not a faulty laptop, though