I had a new GE wireless keyboard and mouse set reserved - and finally got to use it when i upgraded my old system to a new core 2 duo, DG965WH, 2GB RAM system... keyboard worked fine initially - but found that sometimes, some keys are intermittent - sometimes don't work at all. The predominant is the "h" key. Worst cases, the other keys: u, h, j, m, 6 & 7 (main keyboard, not the numpad) and the backspace key. Funny thing is how they seem to be clustered (except for the backspace). Am wondering if there's a bad batch of keyboards or something. Re-installing the drivers don't seem to work.
You can also gently flick off the relevant letters with a screw driver and clean the underside and the actual keyboard switches, but one at a time incase you forget where they go.
I would be more inclined to think that its a mechanical problem. You didnt indicate how long youve been using it or how heavy a hand you have while typing but I think its probably a safe bet that the keyboard hasn?t worn out from use. I have had problems with lightly constructed plastic keyboards that are slightly bowed or warped in spots. The keys dont always make a connection with the contact below so your keystroke isn?t registered. Warped areas can easily extend over several keys, thus your clustering. If this is the case there really isn?t much you can do to repair it other than call the manufacturer if its still in warranty. If not you can experiment, perhaps there is some extra plastic in a critical area that wasn?t removed. Be warned though, not many keyboards these days are designed to be taken apart and reassembled easily.
Most of the newer keyboard designs do not allow for the easy removal and reattachment of keys. Since this keyboard is out of warranty and not working there isnt much to loose, however, you are best off trying to disassemble it vs pull off keycaps. If youre lucky the underside of the keyboard has several screws that will start the process.
I lean towards mechanical/electrical; tightening down the screws is binding, perhaps causing the board to flex OR keeping the key from fully depressing the contact membrane.
I would use my time for something more constructive; I?m fairly sure it will never get to the actual manufacturers overseas.
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It's a brand new keyboard - basically just got it out of its box. And haven't used it much in the last few days. It's been in storage the past 2 years. I also thought it could be mechanical... but then there'd be times when the keys would respond... it's really the h that's most crazy - even when it's working, it would fail to type maybe 1 out of every 8 times you press it. But now... even when I'm using a backup (wired keyboard) - so it's no longer getting used, when i test it, it seems to have gone dead on those set of keys.... Sigh. I should have tested when it was still under warranty. I guess there's no help for it but to open it up and see what I can find...
thanks guys for your inputs. i've opened the thing - there were a ton of screws (am exagerating, of course...) at the backside of the keyboard...
the thing doesn't even use a circuit board base. it uses a film base - 3 layers of film where the 2 outer films shift resistance when pressed.
the only circuit board in the thing was on the upper right side - a small maybe 1.25"x3" kind of deal where all the connections go to.
And guess what - the keys i mentioned - h, j, u, 6, 7, m and backspace (yup - backspace!!!) are all connected at one trace. I thought it was going to be a trace problem - but it was now becomming intermittent when i was tinkering around.... bottomline - the trace seemed fine visually and signature wise.
I have two hypotheses - it's either cold solder issue on the main board (which seems unlikely; i'm currently using the keyboard in question - and i didn't even try re-soldering...) or one of the 3 screws which connect the ckt board to the plastic case is too tight (as in way too tight) - this is the screw that's near where the film connectors start entering into the ckt board area.
so it IS a quality problem on GE/Jasco's side.... Btw, I did send an email to Jasco on this (original problem)... no response (it's either they're slow or they don't plan to answer).... I wonder if they're even aware they could be causing problems like these...and am even wondernig if I should email to them my findings... what do you think?
exactly the same problem here.
My keyboard is Microsoft Wireless Optical Intellipoint (with Mouse bundle).
I have exactly the same problem, but mine is a Microsoft Keyboard (and wireless optical mouse combo)
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