Back from vacation and my keyboard is half-dead

[oboeguy]

We just came back from a two-week vacation -- PC off, everything unplugged -- and my keyboard now has several keys which will not work. This includes the spacebar, which is a total PITA. Any clue what happened? Time for a new one? It's a MS Natural Keyboard, five years old.

BTW, every "space" in this message is "pasted"... grrrr!

Edit: the keys press down with no problems, but nothing happens.

 

[BenjaminGun]

time for a new one i'd say.. mine is dying too :/

 

[m1ke101]

virus?

 

[oboeguy]

Virus is very unlikely, as it only stopped working while the machine lay dormant during vacation. Will check keyboard on another box, to be sure!

 

[corkyg]

Also, if it has both a USB and a PS/2 connection capability, try it "the other way." Apparently it is either not transmitting scan codes, or the system is not recognizing them. The latter case could be an awakened Trojan or worm that you have had dormant for some time.

 

[oboeguy]

Hmmm, it's PS/2 only, but I can try it on another box and run Norton for a full system check.

Edit: It's not a virus, it seems, as the keyboard exhibits the same behavior on our other PC, but the keyboard from said PC does NOT, on either machine.

So, it looks like it's replacement time. Do I get the "Natural Elite" or "Natural Multimedia"? I always thought that some of the extra keys on "multimedia" keyboard were lame, but I suppose I wouldn't mind the "sleep", "logoff" or even the "volume" keys could get some use. OTOH, my better half may not like the added cost.

 

[addragyn]

Maybe you have a leaky ceiling?

 

[oboeguy]

Thought about the ceiling... as the bathroom ceiling does in fact leak. However, there ceiling in the "office" room is blemish-free above the PCs and, in any case, the keyboard was tucked under the desk surface on the sliding keyboard shelf.

BTW, I'm now using the "other" keyboard until the rightful owner gets back from work.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

I would stay away from Microsoft periphials (spelliing?). I have had 2 keyboards and one mouse die on me, and some of my buddy's have the same problem. About a year and a half ago, I bought a Logitech Internet Navigator keyboard for $30, and love it. To replace my Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer (not 3.0, but optical), a month ago I bought a Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical for $50 after $10 MIR. Both have been working great, and BTW, both are USB. So, good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Mavrick007]

I've had pretty good luck with MS hardware, with only one kb and an explorer mouse die, but the warranties are good.

Have you just tried cleaning the kb? It could be really dusty or sticky and not making connections.
You can take the MS naturals apart and wash them with soap and water even in the bathtub and then lay them out to dry on a clean surface.
This works great and reminds me to do the same cause it's been awhile.

 

[oboeguy]

Hey, good call on cleaning-out the KB. I didn't realize they could be washed in that manner. I'll give it a try if I'm feeling brave. For now, the air can.