Keys don't register

[shadowpr]

I was just over someones house trying to help them fix their laptop. I think it was a Toshiba something. Anyway, it has Windows ME on it, and for some reason it won't register the keys on the keyboard after they have been pressed once.

Example: In order to type www.pcmech.com, you need to press the "W" key three times in a row. On the laptop, only the first press will register, then it's as if the key dies. If you press any other key after you press the "W" then press the "W" again, it'll work.

I tried to go back to a restore point since they said it was happening for about a month, but that wouldn't work. I then tried safe mode, and everything works fine.

Any ideas what could cause that.

They also have updated Norton antivirus, and Spysweeper (I think that's what it is).

[glc]

Try a PS/2 or USB keyboard and see if the same thing happens.

[rcvalencia09]

Try to boot in Safe Mode if you can. Also try in the BIOS using the arrow keys. If still nothing try an external keyboard. If it works on external keyboard. Uninstall/Reinstall the keyboard drivers from Device Manager.

[shadowpr]

Everything works in safe mode like it should. I can press the same key as many times as I want and it will display.

I checked in bios, but didn't see anything.

I uninstalled and reinstalled the keyboard from device manager already. It had no affect.

I'll be working on it again on Tuesday. I figure that it's either an option in Windows that I can't find, or something got installed that is interfering. Once I get my hands on it again, my plan of attack is to scan for virus and spyware. Then run ccleaner on it. I'll test it, then if still nothing, just going to use the restore disk to set it up like it was brand new.

Does that sound like the right idea?

[glc]

I'd still try an external keyboard simply to confirm that the internal keyboard is fully functional.

[shadowpr]

Will do. Once I get it here to me, then I can try my usb keyboard.

Am I right in assuming that if I can't find a setting, and if I run all the previously mentioned scans, that the best way to deal with it is to just reinstall windows?

[glc]

Not necessarily - if there are any keyboard drivers or software installed, uninstall them and see what happens with the default Windows keyboard driver.

[rcvalencia09]

Also try this. Disable all start up items and restart your computer. Try to check if the keyboard works. Then you can check which startup item is causing the problem. Try to check with processlibrary.com when you suspect something that might be causing the problem.

[shadowpr]

Thanks. I'll give that a try. I should be able to work on the laptop tomorrow.

[Dia]

Originally Posted by glc Not necessarily - if there are any keyboard drivers or software installed, uninstall them and see what happens with the default Windows keyboard driver.

Wouldnt he be using default drivers while he is in safe mode? He stated that it works perfectly fine in safe mode. I think this is just a corrupted driver. Or something conflicting with this input device. If it were a hardware problem safe mode would make no difference to the problem.

[glc]

That's EXACTLY why I suggested that. This is also one reason why I avoid specific mouse and keyboard drivers, the default Windows drivers give me enough functionality.

[Dia]

If you end up formatting I would suggest getting some NT architecture(2k,xp) if the system can handle it. ME is like fix one weird problem after the next.