SOLVED: Issues with new Logitech MK550 Keyboard / Mouse combo

[Herkulese]

I finally invested in a new wireless (USB) keyboard and mouse combo. I have wanted one for years, but wanted USB, and wanted only one single dongle to deal with.

I was using a USB wired keyboard, and a USB wired mouse. Both were working very well as far as responsiveness goes. The keyboard was simply wearing out, however, so it was time to make the jump.

After much searching, reading of positive reviews, and pondering, I opted for the Logitech MK550, for the partial ERGO and a decent price right here at the Staples store.

I like the combo OK, except for the fact that it seems to lag, or go to sleep, a lot. I will wake up the computer, start typing, and nothing will happen. I will use the mouse to activate a text window, but when typing nothing happens for what seems to be a long while. Also, the mouse seems to stick as well. If I put it on a white piece of paper it works much better, but still sticks.

Is this an issue of not having the software installed?
Is it an issue with the USB on my motherboard? It is an ASUS M3A78-EM with USB 2.

Any background, or any other comments, would be much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[sathyan]

I have the same keyboard and experienced that issue (the keyboard issue) when I plugged the dongle directly into the motherboard (an Asrock H61 board in my case). The problem was eliminated when I put the dongle on a 3 ft USB extension cable. Maybe has to do with RF interference.
(I do have the Logitech driver installed, running Windows 8.1)

 

[Herkulese]

I have the same keyboard and experienced that issue (the keyboard issue) when I plugged the dongle directly into the motherboard (an Asrock H61 board in my case). The problem was eliminated when I put the dongle on a 3 ft USB extension cable. Maybe has to do with RF interference.
(I do have the Logitech driver installed, running Windows 8.1)

Where do you position the end of that 3 ft cable, where the dongle is plugged in, relative to the tower, and/or the keyboard and mouse?

 

[sathyan]

it is just laying on the floor beside the tower. as this is my HTPC, kb/mouse are about 10 feet away

 

[Herkulese]

I have the same keyboard and experienced that issue (the keyboard issue) when I plugged the dongle directly into the motherboard (an Asrock H61 board in my case). The problem was eliminated when I put the dongle on a 3 ft USB extension cable. Maybe has to do with RF interference.
(I do have the Logitech driver installed, running Windows 8.1)

I took the dongle out of the back, and plugged in in one of the USB ports that I installed on the front in one of the large drive bays.

The mouse is completely responsive now, but the keyboard, although much better, still lags at first, until it gets going, then it is fine.

Much better all around. Maybe I should try new batteries.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Herkulese]

I have the same keyboard and experienced that issue (the keyboard issue) when I plugged the dongle directly into the motherboard (an Asrock H61 board in my case). The problem was eliminated when I put the dongle on a 3 ft USB extension cable. Maybe has to do with RF interference.
(I do have the Logitech driver installed, running Windows 8.1)

UPDATE:

Since I moved the Keyboard & Mouse dongle from the back of my Tower to one of the USB ports on the front, it seeems much more responsive, although the keyboard could still be smoother. Must have just been way too much interferance back there. I may try the estension cable, as well, to get it even further away, and see if that helps even more.

My wireless network dongle is back there and seems to work fine, although it seems to hang a lot, now that I think about it.
I think I will try moving that to the front, and see if the internet is any smoother as well.

Thanks again for the tip.

 

[Herkulese]

I have the same keyboard and experienced that issue (the keyboard issue) when I plugged the dongle directly into the motherboard (an Asrock H61 board in my case). The problem was eliminated when I put the dongle on a 3 ft USB extension cable. Maybe has to do with RF interference.
(I do have the Logitech driver installed, running Windows 8.1)

went out to a local computer build/repair shop that I had never been to before, to look at there cases. I bought one, and he through in a USB extension cable.

When I got home, I removed the keyboard/mouse dongle from the front of the case, where it was much improved, plugged it into the extension cable, plugged the cable into the rear of the case, and strung it across a wall shelf just above my desk.

Voila! Both the keyboard and Mouse seem to work perfectly now.

When I asked the guy at the store that I went to, he mentioned that there is a lot of radio communication going on in a motherboard, s that must be the problem. Interesting that this is not more widely known.

Anyway, I am thrilled to have been able to fix the issue so simply.
Thanks again for the awesome tip man!

 

[RockNRule]

Just bought one of these refurb and have had NO issues at all. I used an existing wireless dongle I already had in the back on the computer, that I was using for the Logitech trackman.

Problem must be specific to certain motherboards, that possibly emit too much rf.

Great keyboard.

 

[Phaetos]

Not sure about the RF amounts, but I have an older Wireless Logitech M510. When I built my new PC a couple months ago, I had the tower on the floor under the new desk. My mouse acted all kindsa funky plugged into the rear USB ports, ANY of them. I then took the dongle and moved it to one of the front USB ports and it worked much better but still had issues. So I moved the entire tower( it's mid-tower for mini-atx) to the top of the desk and presto, not a single issue since. There was definitely some kinda of interference going on there.