Keyboard issue in intense FPS battles

[Gibb0r]

In the game soldier of fortune 2, when I need to duck, lean, and move to the right to get a shot off, my computer beeps at me like im overloading my ps/2 keyboard port or something. This happens in other games too and I usually end up dead or wounded because of it.

What is the cause of this problem and how would I go about fixing it?

 

[styrafoam]

If you are running windows XP it is more than likely "sticky keys" settings. Go into the control panel, then accessibility options and then the accessibilty options icon and turn off everything associated with sticky keys.

 

[ElFenix]

you know, sometimes my computer will beep at me too in other games... did it a lot in counterstrike to the point that i would test fire a weapon before actually encountering the enemy

 

[Kanoril]

Your keyboards' cache is to small. Therefor it can't remember all the keys you push at once and gives you a beep.

Usually this is a cheap-keyboard problem. MS or Logitech keyboards usually don't have that problem.

 

[VBboy]

Originally posted by: Kanoril
Your keyboards' cache is to small. Therefor it can't remember all the keys you push at once and gives you a beep.

Usually this is a cheap-keyboard problem. MS or Logitech keyboards usually don't have that problem.

I hope you're joking. I also hope you realize that Windows does the beeping, not the keyboard. It is safe to conclude that the keyboard tries to send the keystroke data to Windows, which is probably unable to process it at the rate that high.

 

[Kanoril]

Originally posted by: VBboy

Originally posted by: Kanoril
Your keyboards' cache is to small. Therefor it can't remember all the keys you push at once and gives you a beep.

Usually this is a cheap-keyboard problem. MS or Logitech keyboards usually don't have that problem.

I hope you're joking. I also hope you realize that Windows does the beeping, not the keyboard. It is safe to conclude that the keyboard tries to send the keystroke data to Windows, which is probably unable to process it at the rate that high.

Well, I'm sorry...but thats exactly the way I had it here with my computer. Cheap, $5 Cherry keyboard-> Beeping (of course not the keyboard beeps...it's always the system speaker, no matter if it is a "sticky keys" problem or a cache problem)
Then I bought a Logitech Keyboard and I never heard a beep again. So actually cache size does matter.

 

[ElFenix]

actually it usually happened when i initially press a key and i haven't pressed a key for a bit.

 

[PliotronX]

I use the WASD for movement, and if crouching or anything else that I use as often as WASD while pressing A for moving back and D to the left, it is cancelled out and the machine beeps just as you describe. I have had this issue across different motherboards and different keyboards; Logitech, IBM, MS, etc.. I have heard that using a USB keyboard fixes this, but have not confirmed it yet. Thinking of getting one of these though.

 

[Smilin]

Some cheaper keyboards can't properly transmit chords of too many keys. I haven't really seen this problem myself since the AT days. This limitation doesn't usually apply to keys that are meant to be chorded like ctrl, alt, shift etc. I typically only applies when you try to chord alpha-numeric keys.

 

[qquizz]

Some keyboards dont support more than 3 keys being pressed at once. Borrow a keyboard from a friend and see if it continues.

 

[Gibb0r]

I use the WASD for movement, and if crouching or anything else that I use as often as WASD while pressing A for moving back and D to the left, it is cancelled out and the machine beeps just as you describe. I have had this issue across different motherboards and different keyboards; Logitech, IBM, MS, etc.. I have heard that using a USB keyboard fixes this, but have not confirmed it yet. Thinking of getting one of these though.

I was thinking the exact same thing. a USB input should be the solution to this. Can someone here with a USB keyboard test this problem out? BTW- I dont have sticky keys or any other accessibility options on.

 

[viper118]

Originally posted by: PliotronX
I use the WASD for movement, and if crouching or anything else that I use as often as WASD while pressing A for moving back and D to the left, it is cancelled out and the machine beeps just as you describe. I have had this issue across different motherboards and different keyboards; Logitech, IBM, MS, etc.. I have heard that using a USB keyboard fixes this, but have not confirmed it yet. Thinking of getting one of these though.

i have the exact same keyboard that you are planning on purchasing... i find that for everyday stuff, it's very cool and comfortable to use.. much better than my logitech access keyboard.. however, when it comes to games, it takes some getting use to since it has laptop style keys.. it feels really awkward playing with this keyboard.. for this reason, i also have my logitech access keyboard connected so that whenever i play a fps, i just switch my keyboards...

 

[PurePeon]

Maybe turn off the repeat typematic keys in the BIOS? or whatever it is called. type rate? So that if you keep your hand on A or W or S or D it won't spam a crap load to the OS?

 

[optimistic]

Its the motherboard.

Some motherboards have limitations on how many keys you can press at a time. I built an Epox rig based on the i845GL for my aunt and the board would only allow me to press ~2 or 3 keys at the same time (MS Internet Keyboard). While with the same Keyboard on my Abit KT7A had no problems. I remember reading somewhere too, that other people were having this same issue and that they later found it was a limitation of their mobo.

 

[Hoober]

Originally posted by: Kanoril

Originally posted by: VBboy

Originally posted by: Kanoril
Your keyboards' cache is to small. Therefor it can't remember all the keys you push at once and gives you a beep.

Usually this is a cheap-keyboard problem. MS or Logitech keyboards usually don't have that problem.

I hope you're joking. I also hope you realize that Windows does the beeping, not the keyboard. It is safe to conclude that the keyboard tries to send the keystroke data to Windows, which is probably unable to process it at the rate that high.

Well, I'm sorry...but thats exactly the way I had it here with my computer. Cheap, $5 Cherry keyboard-> Beeping (of course not the keyboard beeps...it's always the system speaker, no matter if it is a "sticky keys" problem or a cache problem)
Then I bought a Logitech Keyboard and I never heard a beep again. So actually cache size does matter.

Keyboard cache size? Where do I set that?

 

[Gibb0r]

Can someone with a usb please keyboard try to reproduce this problem? If you have a usb keyboard, have you ever had this problem?

 

[abaez]

Keyboard cache size is set already... most cheaper keyboards cannot do more than three at a time.

 

[Jeff7181]

LOL... keyboard cache? That's BS... it's Windows doing that... just like someone said... sticky keys, hold down shift and that activates it... if you do that, you can disable it right from that window that pops up... I remember it use to be accessibility that popped up when you did that... but I think MS changed that because people hold down shift to prevent a CD-ROM from auto starting... but if they held it too long, the accessibility wizard would pop up.

(BTW... all the keyboards I've ever used are the ones you get free after rebates... yes they wear out, but who cares? I have 4 brand new ones that I only paid about 30 cents in tax for after rebates... also saves some money if you get pissed at a game and slam your fist down on the keyboard)

(2nd BTW... I play SoF2 also... and don't have problems with my "junk" keyboard doing that)

 

[S0me1X]

Some keyboards allow more "chording" than others. (This is more of an issue when I run emulator than FPS though).

 

[MercenaryForHire]

OK, this battle seems to be split between the Hardware and Software sides. We'll call them the "Right" and "Wrong" sides for simplification.

Anyhow, the Right side is right. It is a factor of your BIOS settings regarding typematic rate and keyboard buffering, and not Windows StickyKeys. If it was Sticky/Mousekeys kicking in, you'd be bumped to desktop in a flash as Windows hijacks primary focus away from SOF2 in order to tell you the critical message of "Holding Shift for 8 seconds enables StickyKeys". I found that out the hard way going for a stealth kill in CS, walking up on the guy. (Thankfully, the little AWP-whore didn't even notice me lag out then switch tasks back in, and I dropped him with an M3 to the back of the head. )

- M4H

 

[Gibb0r]

So I guess I'm screwed if I dont have that option in my bios?

 

[Mitzi]

I have the exact same problem with my machine - Windows XP, no sticky keys or anything else like that enabled, I have an MS Internet keyboard and MSI KT3 Ultra mobo...I've just learned to live with it tbh. The problem seems to occur lots when me and a friend are playing Legacy Doom II split screen on the same keyboard.

Edit: Just had a look in my BIOS, no options to tinker with Nevermind.

 

[abaez]

The original poster never said if it was a beep from his speakers (windows) or a beep from his computer speaker inside his case.. that would help clear things up.

 

[DaTT]

It is most definitely the keyboard...its not "sticky keys"...its not "Windows"...its the keyboard. For all you who seem to think that its funny....just go get an old or cheap keyboard and press a bunch of keys and see what happens.

My personal experience:

Playing UT and in a fit of rage, smashed my keyboard on the ground and destroying it. Needed a quick fix so I dug into my computer parts pile and found a ps/2 keyboard from many years ago and proceeded to play UT. Every so often while ducking, strafing, and then dodging (double tap of a movement key), my keyboard would beep thus resulting in my demise because it didn't record my dodge to get the hell outta the way.

In conclusion......just replace your keyboard with a "not-so-cheap" one and you will be fine.

 

[DeRusto]

i JUST did a test that involved pressing an assortment of keys on my keyboard(not in a game, just sitting here looking at the thread) depending on which keys i press i can hold anywhre from 3 to 5 keys before my computer beeps.

any 3 arrow keys and any two alpha keys will produce a beep

any 3 arrow keys and any one numerical key will produce a beep

any three arrow keys except the combo of left, right and down, will produce a beep

any 5 alphanumerical keys will produce a beep

so it appears to have something to do with a cache or 'chording' as has been said earlier


EDIT: this test was performed on a heavy duty 1994 IBM clicky keyboard