Laptop keys entering multiple characters

thirtythree

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2001
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For example, when I type "u" or "7" I get "u7". Other pairings are:

e3
t5
i8
o9
-0
2 + F3
1 + F1
r + F6
right alt + tab

The pairings are also affected by shift (e.g., typing shift + t = T%)

None of the keys appear to be stuck, and I don't have numlock on or anything. It also types the wrong characters in the BIOS password, so I assume it's a hardware problem. If it is, is there anything I can do to try to fix it, or some workaround. Even disabling entry of one character in each pair would be an improvement, but I don't know of a program that will do this. I tried a simple key mapper without luck.

Thanks!
 

MadOni0n

Senior member
Sep 4, 2004
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is your computer a hp? they're known to have keyboard problems. Anyway if a restart doesnt fix it, you might have to get it fixed by the manufacturer
 

thirtythree

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: MadOni0n
is your computer a hp? they're known to have keyboard problems. Anyway if a restart doesnt fix it, you might have to get it fixed by the manufacturer
It's a Toshiba, about two years old. I found a program called KeyTweak that allowed me to disable one key in each pair... I lost a few numbers and function keys but I can at least type normally now. For some reason it seems to have issues saving my settings, but I'll probably have to look into getting the keyboard fixed/replaced anyway.
 

thirtythree

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2001
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I replaced the keyboard today, and it's still doing the same thing. Must be an issue with the motherboard.
 

jkresh

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2001
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try a linux bootdisk, and see if it happens there, if it does its a hardware issue, if not its software related
 

thirtythree

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2001
8,680
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Originally posted by: jkresh
try a linux bootdisk, and see if it happens there, if it does its a hardware issue, if not its software related
I have a boot up password set in my BIOS (comes up the second I turn my computer on), and it does the same thing there. Would you expect different behavior with a Linux bootdisk?