need info about key combination conflicts on keyboards...

[DilLy]

I am using a Dell QuietTouch keyboard (the cheapest one they offered at the time of purchase).

I play a lot of UT2003 and use the A,D,S,W keys for movement, ctrl = crouch, space = jump, etc...

Anyway, when I need to run backwards and strafe to the side at the same time, I am unable to use the space bar to jump. I can run "forward + strafe + jump", or "back + jump", or "strafe + jump". It just wont let me go "back + strafe + jump". ARGH!! lol. Obviously this can lead to my demise in the game quite often.

Now, I have heard that this type of problem has to do with some keyboards. Strange thing is that i can press lots of keys at once on this thing, but it's just that certain 3-key combo that is not wanting to work. Also, I am not willing to change my key setup if I am able to find a keyboard that does not have this problem.

Some guy was saying it might be some BIOS settings as well, but I have a Dell Bios and I don't think there are settings available for that type of thing.

Is there a keyboard someone can recommend? I was looking at the Logitech Elite keyboard, and some of the M$ keyboards too. I like the logitech better because it would match my system color and it isn't wireless (I dont like wireless). The Microsoft ones are only black/silver for the wireless versions.

Or maybe someone knows if this is a Bios problem? I have the latest revision of my Dell Bios, btw.

I am using an off the shelf versio of XP Home, with an Intel board.

Thanks in advance everyone!

[avx]

I myself like Logitechs, they are great quality and off good support.

I would go with them...dont get cordless though...in a game as important as UT you do not want to run out of battery power and get fragged for no reason

[rave]

never trust a dell, either buil it yourself or get an alienware or something. but just for upgrading purposes, go with a logitech

[glc]

rave - there's nothing wrong with a Dell keyboard - they are made by one of the major OEM keyboard manufacturers. The issue is a keyboard, not this person's brand of computer.

[DilLy]

Well, on some other forum (I know, how dare I go to another forum, ) some dude told me its probably a limitation of the PS/2 connection, and that I should get a USB keyboard. I know USB connections are slower for peripherals than PS/2 connections, plus all my USB ports are being used at the moment.... but I may have to get another USB2 PCI card or something so that I can have more USB ports.

That seems a pretty expensive route to go, just for a decent keyboard, so if any of you have anymore thoughtful suggestions, sock it to me

I guess I could just get a USB/PS2 enabled keyboard, and if I still get the problem, I could buy the PCI card and use the USB connection on the keyboard... and if it still doesn't work then technology sucks, lol. (all this advanced processing power and I can't even press more than 3 keys at a time on my keyboard... how pitiful. Someone needs to make the better keyboard.)

Oh, one more thing. Yet another person was telling me its the way some keyboards are wired. Pressing a key basically completes a circuit, and there are different plates that it completes. If more than one of the keys you are pressing lay on the same plate, then they conflict. Seems like keyboards are pretty outdated in respect to the rest of the technology that are in our systems. All the manufacturers do is add more buttons, not make it so we can use more than one or two at a time. Of course, not all keyboards are like this, but manufacturers never tell you if thier keyboard is wired that way, and if it was it probably wasn't intentional anyway. So its hard to find one that I need, ya know?

So anyway I don't know where I am going with this, I just want the problem solved, hehe.

Thanks guys.

[glc]

I don't think PS/2 vs. USB has a darn thing to do with this. Borrow a different keyboard and see what happens.

[DilLy]

roger that