Oddities of a Microsoft Natural Keyboard
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Maybe someone can help me (and if not then just rant, rant, rant) I have a MS Natural Keyboard (about 2 years old) and it is misbehaving. The N and H keys are taking considerable pressure to get anything out. The odd thing is that they work fine and slowly degrade over time. If I stop typing for awhile and then come back, they work fine. Seems like constant typing does them in. Also, and this is odder, sometimes the key event is DELAYED. e.g. If I type Nonny, nonny, nonny. Sometimes it comes out as "Nonyn" It really feels like the N event is being delayed. Odd no? (and no I am not dyslexic :) ) This all started when I noticed the Caps lock light was always on. Or rather looks on. When Caps is on the light is bright, and dims a bit when off. i.e. It never goes completely off. Pressing numlock though only lights up the numlock light a bit, plus it makes the caps lock light brighter. Pressing scroll lock does nothing to the lights (but scroll lock does work.) Anyone ever have something similar? Or should I just start ranting and buy a new keyboard?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonMs is just about to release some brand new voice recognition software, so all ms keyboards connected to the internet have been updated to fail from time to time. Either go buy a good mic or start typing in a language where N and H are not so frequently used. /Magnus
- I don't necessarily agree with everything I say
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I find those very hard to type on, despite the fact I taught myself to touch type for faster coding. Is this an appropriate time to boast about how happy I am with the genuine MS USB optical mouse I bought cheap at a dodgy London PC fair on Saturday? I guess not, but I can't stop now - I mean, that thing even works on the carpet (we had the laptop in front of the TV last night to watch DVD's, so I've actually tested it ;P ) Aaah yes - we were discussing keyboards weren't we. :-O Any chance you can get your grubby paws on one of the nice Dell ones with quick launch keys? 1.The Lounge 2.Google 3.iafrica :-D
Deploying a web application without understanding security is roughly equivalent to driving a car without seatbelts - down a slippery road, over a monstrous chasm, with no brakes, and the throttle jammed on full.
Hacking Exposed - Web Applications. Joel Scambray & Mike Shema
Megan Forbes wrote: Aaah yes - we were discussing keyboards weren't we. Any chance you can get your grubby paws on one of the nice Dell ones with quick launch keys? Uck. X| I got that with my computer and it was installed with some drivers to make the extra keys work. But the drivers also reconfigured the Fx keys, so F3 for instance always brought up the searchtool no mather where i was. No config for it either, utter crap. /Magnus
- I don't necessarily agree with everything I say
-
I find those very hard to type on, despite the fact I taught myself to touch type for faster coding. Is this an appropriate time to boast about how happy I am with the genuine MS USB optical mouse I bought cheap at a dodgy London PC fair on Saturday? I guess not, but I can't stop now - I mean, that thing even works on the carpet (we had the laptop in front of the TV last night to watch DVD's, so I've actually tested it ;P ) Aaah yes - we were discussing keyboards weren't we. :-O Any chance you can get your grubby paws on one of the nice Dell ones with quick launch keys? 1.The Lounge 2.Google 3.iafrica :-D
Deploying a web application without understanding security is roughly equivalent to driving a car without seatbelts - down a slippery road, over a monstrous chasm, with no brakes, and the throttle jammed on full.
Hacking Exposed - Web Applications. Joel Scambray & Mike Shema
Megan Forbes wrote: Is this an appropriate time to boast about how happy I am with the genuine MS USB optical mouse I bought cheap at a dodgy London PC fair on Saturday? Boast away, I have one too and they rock! This is the one I have, was a present from the Hardware Of No Known Owners cupboard :-D Megan Forbes wrote: I find those very hard to type on I have become used to it and cannot go back to normal keyboards. It has really improved my typing (though not my spellink.)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
This is *clearly* a plot to prevent you from visiting Johnny Newman's website. See if you can grab an Authentic '80s IBM 101-key Keyboard, the single best thing to come out of that decade, and a testiment to American Manufacturing Excellence. Shog9 ------
to the revelations of fresh faced youth no one will come to save you so speak your peace in the murmurs drawn but youth is wasted on the young - Smashing Pumpkins, Thru the Eyes of Ruby
Shog9 wrote: See if you can grab an Authentic '80s IBM 101-key Keyboard, the single best thing to come out of that decade, and a testiment to American Manufacturing Excellence. While I appreciate the quality, I wish it had the split design like my MS Natural. I have really become used to this layout and going back to normal keyboards is a nightmare in hunt-and-pick typing. Shog9 wrote: This is *clearly* a plot to prevent you from visiting Johnny Newman's website And NaughtyNanniesNonnyingNowNow.com... :rolleyes:
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
Megan Forbes wrote: Is this an appropriate time to boast about how happy I am with the genuine MS USB optical mouse I bought cheap at a dodgy London PC fair on Saturday? Boast away, I have one too and they rock! This is the one I have, was a present from the Hardware Of No Known Owners cupboard :-D Megan Forbes wrote: I find those very hard to type on I have become used to it and cannot go back to normal keyboards. It has really improved my typing (though not my spellink.)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul Watson wrote: Boast away, I have one too and they rock! They sure do, the bottom of mine is not all red plastic like yours, just a bit at the back to tell you it's alive, and obviously the functional bit in the middle. Not sure which is better, but I know I will be trying to secure one for work now :) Paul Watson wrote: improved my typing (though not my spellink) :laugh:
Deploying a web application without understanding security is roughly equivalent to driving a car without seatbelts - down a slippery road, over a monstrous chasm, with no brakes, and the throttle jammed on full.
Hacking Exposed - Web Applications. Joel Scambray & Mike Shema
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Maybe someone can help me (and if not then just rant, rant, rant) I have a MS Natural Keyboard (about 2 years old) and it is misbehaving. The N and H keys are taking considerable pressure to get anything out. The odd thing is that they work fine and slowly degrade over time. If I stop typing for awhile and then come back, they work fine. Seems like constant typing does them in. Also, and this is odder, sometimes the key event is DELAYED. e.g. If I type Nonny, nonny, nonny. Sometimes it comes out as "Nonyn" It really feels like the N event is being delayed. Odd no? (and no I am not dyslexic :) ) This all started when I noticed the Caps lock light was always on. Or rather looks on. When Caps is on the light is bright, and dims a bit when off. i.e. It never goes completely off. Pressing numlock though only lights up the numlock light a bit, plus it makes the caps lock light brighter. Pressing scroll lock does nothing to the lights (but scroll lock does work.) Anyone ever have something similar? Or should I just start ranting and buy a new keyboard?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonWhat have you spilled on the keyboard? It sounds like you have something in the keys which gums up the works as you use (warm up) the keyboard. It is possible to wash your keyboard. Search Google for directions.
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What have you spilled on the keyboard? It sounds like you have something in the keys which gums up the works as you use (warm up) the keyboard. It is possible to wash your keyboard. Search Google for directions.
Ed Gadziemski wrote: What have you spilled on the keyboard? Nothing of late. Ed Gadziemski wrote: It sounds like you have something in the keys which gums up the works as you use (warm up) the keyboard. It is possible to wash your keyboard. Ta, I have pulled it apart, cleaned every crevice but to no avail. I am quite the expert with these keyboards now (I even learnt how to put back the space bar without too much hassle.) :) I think the problem may be inside the actual rubbery contact strip bit (which I cannot open up as it is sealed.)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
Ed Gadziemski wrote: What have you spilled on the keyboard? Nothing of late. Ed Gadziemski wrote: It sounds like you have something in the keys which gums up the works as you use (warm up) the keyboard. It is possible to wash your keyboard. Ta, I have pulled it apart, cleaned every crevice but to no avail. I am quite the expert with these keyboards now (I even learnt how to put back the space bar without too much hassle.) :) I think the problem may be inside the actual rubbery contact strip bit (which I cannot open up as it is sealed.)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul Watson wrote: I think the problem may be inside the actual rubbery contact strip bit (which I cannot open up as it is sealed.) You could try a razor blade... Shog9 ------
to the revelations of fresh faced youth no one will come to save you so speak your peace in the murmurs drawn but youth is wasted on the young - Smashing Pumpkins, Thru the Eyes of Ruby
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This is *clearly* a plot to prevent you from visiting Johnny Newman's website. See if you can grab an Authentic '80s IBM 101-key Keyboard, the single best thing to come out of that decade, and a testiment to American Manufacturing Excellence. Shog9 ------
to the revelations of fresh faced youth no one will come to save you so speak your peace in the murmurs drawn but youth is wasted on the young - Smashing Pumpkins, Thru the Eyes of Ruby
Shog9 wrote: See if you can grab an Authentic '80s IBM 101-key Keyboard, I agree - we have a lot of this style from old Dell PCs (amazing similar to the IBM original), I'm trying to think of a way to 'borrow' one for home..... :~ Elaine (scheming fluffy tigress) Would you like to meet my teddy bear ?
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I find those very hard to type on, despite the fact I taught myself to touch type for faster coding. Is this an appropriate time to boast about how happy I am with the genuine MS USB optical mouse I bought cheap at a dodgy London PC fair on Saturday? I guess not, but I can't stop now - I mean, that thing even works on the carpet (we had the laptop in front of the TV last night to watch DVD's, so I've actually tested it ;P ) Aaah yes - we were discussing keyboards weren't we. :-O Any chance you can get your grubby paws on one of the nice Dell ones with quick launch keys? 1.The Lounge 2.Google 3.iafrica :-D
Deploying a web application without understanding security is roughly equivalent to driving a car without seatbelts - down a slippery road, over a monstrous chasm, with no brakes, and the throttle jammed on full.
Hacking Exposed - Web Applications. Joel Scambray & Mike Shema
Megan Forbes wrote: Is this an appropriate time to boast about how happy I am with the genuine MS USB optical mouse I bought cheap at a dodgy London PC fair on Saturday? Well, I guess I need to show you up there, and brag about my Logitech cordless dual-optical USB mouse then, eh? ;P It's heavy (due to the batteries), but now I can sit on my bed and watch TV/DVDs quite easily without having to get up (unless I'm getting another :beer: :-D) That's why I ramble so much. If you're short and quotable, there's a much greater danger of ending up in a sig. [Christopher Duncan on how to prevent yourself from ending up in a sig]
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Maybe someone can help me (and if not then just rant, rant, rant) I have a MS Natural Keyboard (about 2 years old) and it is misbehaving. The N and H keys are taking considerable pressure to get anything out. The odd thing is that they work fine and slowly degrade over time. If I stop typing for awhile and then come back, they work fine. Seems like constant typing does them in. Also, and this is odder, sometimes the key event is DELAYED. e.g. If I type Nonny, nonny, nonny. Sometimes it comes out as "Nonyn" It really feels like the N event is being delayed. Odd no? (and no I am not dyslexic :) ) This all started when I noticed the Caps lock light was always on. Or rather looks on. When Caps is on the light is bright, and dims a bit when off. i.e. It never goes completely off. Pressing numlock though only lights up the numlock light a bit, plus it makes the caps lock light brighter. Pressing scroll lock does nothing to the lights (but scroll lock does work.) Anyone ever have something similar? Or should I just start ranting and buy a new keyboard?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonBuy a new keyboard, Paul! That dimly lit Caps Lock light indicates serious problems. You might have some luck taking it apart and cleaning all the contacts, but it hardly seems worth the effort for the tiny amount of money you'll save. "When in danger, fear, or doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!" - Lorelei and Lapis Lazuli Long
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Buy a new keyboard, Paul! That dimly lit Caps Lock light indicates serious problems. You might have some luck taking it apart and cleaning all the contacts, but it hardly seems worth the effort for the tiny amount of money you'll save. "When in danger, fear, or doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!" - Lorelei and Lapis Lazuli Long
Roger Wright wrote: Buy a new keyboard, Paul! That dimly lit Caps Lock light indicates serious problems Sorry to bring into question your omnipotence, but is the above from past experience or are you just guessing? :) Roger Wright wrote: but it hardly seems worth the effort for the tiny amount of money you'll save. Well this keyboard costs about R800 here, quite a fair chunk of money (three good meals for two for instance.) I am going to give it one more thorough, thorough clean. If that does not help then I am going to fork out for this :-D
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
Megan Forbes wrote: Is this an appropriate time to boast about how happy I am with the genuine MS USB optical mouse I bought cheap at a dodgy London PC fair on Saturday? Well, I guess I need to show you up there, and brag about my Logitech cordless dual-optical USB mouse then, eh? ;P It's heavy (due to the batteries), but now I can sit on my bed and watch TV/DVDs quite easily without having to get up (unless I'm getting another :beer: :-D) That's why I ramble so much. If you're short and quotable, there's a much greater danger of ending up in a sig. [Christopher Duncan on how to prevent yourself from ending up in a sig]
What! :wtf: You have a cordless dual-optical mouse that doesn't fetch your :beer: for you? What is this world coming to? ;P
Deploying a web application without understanding security is roughly equivalent to driving a car without seatbelts - down a slippery road, over a monstrous chasm, with no brakes, and the throttle jammed on full.
Hacking Exposed - Web Applications. Joel Scambray & Mike Shema
-
Maybe someone can help me (and if not then just rant, rant, rant) I have a MS Natural Keyboard (about 2 years old) and it is misbehaving. The N and H keys are taking considerable pressure to get anything out. The odd thing is that they work fine and slowly degrade over time. If I stop typing for awhile and then come back, they work fine. Seems like constant typing does them in. Also, and this is odder, sometimes the key event is DELAYED. e.g. If I type Nonny, nonny, nonny. Sometimes it comes out as "Nonyn" It really feels like the N event is being delayed. Odd no? (and no I am not dyslexic :) ) This all started when I noticed the Caps lock light was always on. Or rather looks on. When Caps is on the light is bright, and dims a bit when off. i.e. It never goes completely off. Pressing numlock though only lights up the numlock light a bit, plus it makes the caps lock light brighter. Pressing scroll lock does nothing to the lights (but scroll lock does work.) Anyone ever have something similar? Or should I just start ranting and buy a new keyboard?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonI've been having a problem with my keyboard's num lock light recently (mines a generic windows keyboard). My num lock light has suddenly decided to stay on even when I turn the computer off! It's quite eerie at night to see the keyboard bathed in a soft green glow! Anybody know what might be up? It only goes off if I unplug the computer from the wall (which is just as well otherwise I would have run away screaming :~ ) Now the num lock works just fine and if I turn it off when the computer is running the light goes out, but it's always on when I turn it off.....watching me....:~
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Megan Forbes wrote: Is this an appropriate time to boast about how happy I am with the genuine MS USB optical mouse I bought cheap at a dodgy London PC fair on Saturday? Well, I guess I need to show you up there, and brag about my Logitech cordless dual-optical USB mouse then, eh? ;P It's heavy (due to the batteries), but now I can sit on my bed and watch TV/DVDs quite easily without having to get up (unless I'm getting another :beer: :-D) That's why I ramble so much. If you're short and quotable, there's a much greater danger of ending up in a sig. [Christopher Duncan on how to prevent yourself from ending up in a sig]
Atlantys wrote: Well, I guess I need to show you up there, and brag about my Logitech Ahh you were going well until you got to the Logitech bit. You could have said "Logitech cordless, dual-optical, beer fetching, food preparing USB mouse" and I still would have got stuck on the Logitech bit. If it ain't MS it ain't good... ;P (at least in the mouse and keyboard department.) p.s. Does your mouse use Bluetooth or 1950's era radio waves? ;P
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
I've been having a problem with my keyboard's num lock light recently (mines a generic windows keyboard). My num lock light has suddenly decided to stay on even when I turn the computer off! It's quite eerie at night to see the keyboard bathed in a soft green glow! Anybody know what might be up? It only goes off if I unplug the computer from the wall (which is just as well otherwise I would have run away screaming :~ ) Now the num lock works just fine and if I turn it off when the computer is running the light goes out, but it's always on when I turn it off.....watching me....:~
Wjousts wrote: which is just as well otherwise I would have run away screaming Hooo boy, rather my problem than yours buddy. Good luck with your haunted keyboard :-D p.s. I should start a rant about the power features of PCs these days. Back in the good old days PCs switched off when you told them without hesitation. Now days they switch off when they feel like it and switch back on when they feel like some web surfing. Plus devices, as you have experienced, sommer just maintain power even when the main box is supposedly off. WTF is this world coming to (as Megan so elequontley stated.)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
Maybe someone can help me (and if not then just rant, rant, rant) I have a MS Natural Keyboard (about 2 years old) and it is misbehaving. The N and H keys are taking considerable pressure to get anything out. The odd thing is that they work fine and slowly degrade over time. If I stop typing for awhile and then come back, they work fine. Seems like constant typing does them in. Also, and this is odder, sometimes the key event is DELAYED. e.g. If I type Nonny, nonny, nonny. Sometimes it comes out as "Nonyn" It really feels like the N event is being delayed. Odd no? (and no I am not dyslexic :) ) This all started when I noticed the Caps lock light was always on. Or rather looks on. When Caps is on the light is bright, and dims a bit when off. i.e. It never goes completely off. Pressing numlock though only lights up the numlock light a bit, plus it makes the caps lock light brighter. Pressing scroll lock does nothing to the lights (but scroll lock does work.) Anyone ever have something similar? Or should I just start ranting and buy a new keyboard?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul, try getitng a propper keyboard like the Internet Pro rather than one built for people with three hands and an eye in their chin. Natural? When I had one I kept hitting my elbows on the edge of my desk!
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
"Unfortunatly Deep Throat isn't my cup of tea" - Martin Marvinski
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Paul, try getitng a propper keyboard like the Internet Pro rather than one built for people with three hands and an eye in their chin. Natural? When I had one I kept hitting my elbows on the edge of my desk!
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
"Unfortunatly Deep Throat isn't my cup of tea" - Martin Marvinski
David Wulff wrote: rather than one built for people with three hands and an eye in their chin. Natural? When I had one I kept hitting my elbows on the edge of my desk! And this coming from a man who has a gay, bondage bear* on his desk.. Hmmm.. ;P Actually, my good man, I already use, and love, the Natural keyboards. They rock. They are brilliant. They make me look cool. I am better than normal keyboard users. Muwaahahahahaha. 1miiiiillliiiooonn ddoollaarrsss! And I type better with them :) Thanks for the concern and care though * BTW how do you differentiate between a gay bondage bear and a straight bondage bear?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
David Wulff wrote: rather than one built for people with three hands and an eye in their chin. Natural? When I had one I kept hitting my elbows on the edge of my desk! And this coming from a man who has a gay, bondage bear* on his desk.. Hmmm.. ;P Actually, my good man, I already use, and love, the Natural keyboards. They rock. They are brilliant. They make me look cool. I am better than normal keyboard users. Muwaahahahahaha. 1miiiiillliiiooonn ddoollaarrsss! And I type better with them :) Thanks for the concern and care though * BTW how do you differentiate between a gay bondage bear and a straight bondage bear?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul Watson wrote: They rock. They are brilliant. They make me look cool. They fuck up the positioning of the function and editing keys! Which took me far too long to learn to find by position and touch already! And which i'm not going to learn again until the day every single keyboard in sight has moved them! I will concede i'm not an ergonomics expert, and that splitting the keyboard down the center and twisting it *might* be a good idea. But Mr Ergo Guy should have his crack pipe shoved up his ass for the mess he made of the function keys... X| Shog9 ------
to the revelations of fresh faced youth no one will come to save you so speak your peace in the murmurs drawn but youth is wasted on the young - Smashing Pumpkins, Thru the Eyes of Ruby
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Roger Wright wrote: Buy a new keyboard, Paul! That dimly lit Caps Lock light indicates serious problems Sorry to bring into question your omnipotence, but is the above from past experience or are you just guessing? :) Roger Wright wrote: but it hardly seems worth the effort for the tiny amount of money you'll save. Well this keyboard costs about R800 here, quite a fair chunk of money (three good meals for two for instance.) I am going to give it one more thorough, thorough clean. If that does not help then I am going to fork out for this :-D
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul Watson wrote: Sorry to bring into question your omnipotence, but is the above from past experience or are you just guessing? LOL!!! Both. A dimly lit LED indicates a flow of current where it shouldn't be (in the OFF condition), or an intermittent current (fluctuating at a high rate) that should be DC when it's on. Since this occurs when the Caps Lock is off, there is a current reaching the LED from somewhere. It's not quite a short to ground, else the LED would be bright, or it is a short to the keyboard clock signal which has only a 50% duty cycle. Either condition can be caused by dirt, especially if the humidity is high where you live. If it's the clock that's leaking through to the LED, it could lead to a bigger problem, as most clock circuits are not designed to sink the 20 mA required by a LED. Such an excessive load can damage the clock driver. Depending on the circuitry used to hold the state of the Caps Lock, it might also be a short between the output and input of the flip-flop. Feedback from the output of the circuit to the SET input can cause the circuit to toggle on its own (a crude multivibrator). If this is a CMOS circuit, only a few µA need be present to cause a state change. A graphite pencil trace is sufficient to cause this effect. Since most keyboards I've seen are controlled by a single ASIC this situation might not be fixed by cleaning, as it may be an internal failure of the chip. Check for dust or other foreign matter around the pins on the chip, though, as it might be a bridge across two adjacent pins that's causing the trouble. The LED driver circuit itself may also have failed. These are typically CMOS open drain circuits which fail with a drain-source short. The failure won't necessarily be a low resistance short, which might explain the dim illumination. Again, it's not a user servicable condition if this is the cause. Sorry to hear that they're so expensive there. Keyboards here are available for $5, though the MS ones are generally priced much higher (~$50). Take the bugger apart and throw the pieces in the dishwasher - what have you got to lose? I don't recommend the HOT setting, and skip the dry cycle "When in danger, fear, or doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!" - Lorelei and Lapis Lazuli Long