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  3. What the F is wrong with my keyboard?

What the F is wrong with my keyboard?

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  • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

    Are you typing with your mouth full of Toblerone again? ;)

    Ideological Purity is no substitute for being able to stick your thumb down a pipe to stop the water

    D Offline
    D Offline
    DeathByChocolate
    wrote on last edited by
    #8

    Well, this fine quality Swiss Easter Egg isn't going to eat itself you know! ;P

    "State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B

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    • W Wjousts

      Just lately my work laptop has intermittently taken to suddenly changing it's keyboard layout. But it's not system-wide, it usually happens to a single (different) application I have open. For example, I just restarted Firefox because my W has coming out as a Z and my : was coming out as an M? All my other applications seemed to be fine. It's absolutely baffling. Has anybody else seen anything like this? I've already asked for a new laptop, but since we are about to upgrade (finally) to Windows 7 (from XP), I'm holding out for a brand new Windows 7 laptop rather than have them give me an XP laptop and then upgrade it again a week or two later. My current laptop is truly on it's last legs. It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back :java:

      S Offline
      S Offline
      Septimus Hedgehog
      wrote on last edited by
      #9

      Sounds like someone wants a new laptop. Coffee first and then a faulty keyboard. Have you tried "dropping" a 10Kg hammer on it? Perhaps slip it under the wheels of a train? ;)

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      • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

        Are you typing with your mouth full of Toblerone again? ;)

        Ideological Purity is no substitute for being able to stick your thumb down a pipe to stop the water

        D Offline
        D Offline
        Dalek Dave
        wrote on last edited by
        #10

        Griff, trust me, that isn't Toblerone!

        --------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] English League Tables - Live

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        • W Wjousts

          I thought that too, but it isn't system-wide. It seems to effect one application at a time. So, for example, Firefox might be working fine, but Visual Studio is acting wacky. I restart Visual Studio and now it's fine too. Then maybe some time later (maybe hours, maybe days), a different application will start acting up.

          OriginalGriffO Offline
          OriginalGriffO Offline
          OriginalGriff
          wrote on last edited by
          #11

          Windows keyboard layouts don't have to be system wide - they can be application specific (and normally by language the app was installed in). And the default key for switching keyboard language is pretty easy to hit: Left SHIFT + ALT. Try disabling that sequence via Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Change Keyboards and see if the problem goes away.

          Ideological Purity is no substitute for being able to stick your thumb down a pipe to stop the water

          "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
          "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

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          • W Wjousts

            Just lately my work laptop has intermittently taken to suddenly changing it's keyboard layout. But it's not system-wide, it usually happens to a single (different) application I have open. For example, I just restarted Firefox because my W has coming out as a Z and my : was coming out as an M? All my other applications seemed to be fine. It's absolutely baffling. Has anybody else seen anything like this? I've already asked for a new laptop, but since we are about to upgrade (finally) to Windows 7 (from XP), I'm holding out for a brand new Windows 7 laptop rather than have them give me an XP laptop and then upgrade it again a week or two later. My current laptop is truly on it's last legs. It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back :java:

            S Offline
            S Offline
            S Houghtelin
            wrote on last edited by
            #12

            Wjousts wrote:

            It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back.

            :doh: OR maybe it was the alignment of the Moon, Venus and Jupiter in the western sky last month...

            It was broke, so I fixed it.

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            • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

              Windows keyboard layouts don't have to be system wide - they can be application specific (and normally by language the app was installed in). And the default key for switching keyboard language is pretty easy to hit: Left SHIFT + ALT. Try disabling that sequence via Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Change Keyboards and see if the problem goes away.

              Ideological Purity is no substitute for being able to stick your thumb down a pipe to stop the water

              W Offline
              W Offline
              Wjousts
              wrote on last edited by
              #13

              Wow! I can't believe I didn't know that. I bet I've done it while alt-tabbing between windows (and some time alt-shift-tabbing to go backwards). The problem was that I had a French keyboard "installed" from when I was messing around with language settings to test a . vs , issue. I removed it from the list of installed keyboards and now it won't switch even with alt-shift. Cheers!

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              • W Wjousts

                Just lately my work laptop has intermittently taken to suddenly changing it's keyboard layout. But it's not system-wide, it usually happens to a single (different) application I have open. For example, I just restarted Firefox because my W has coming out as a Z and my : was coming out as an M? All my other applications seemed to be fine. It's absolutely baffling. Has anybody else seen anything like this? I've already asked for a new laptop, but since we are about to upgrade (finally) to Windows 7 (from XP), I'm holding out for a brand new Windows 7 laptop rather than have them give me an XP laptop and then upgrade it again a week or two later. My current laptop is truly on it's last legs. It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back :java:

                W Offline
                W Offline
                W Balboos GHB
                wrote on last edited by
                #14

                Back in the days of DOS, I wrote a TSR program that would do just about what you said: Intermittently change keystrokes. I particularly targeted the 'd' and 'r' keys, causing them to appear like fat-finger mistypes: d->f or s; r->e or t. So, just sayin' - it could be a little software mischeif, as well.

                "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

                "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

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                • S Septimus Hedgehog

                  Sounds like someone wants a new laptop. Coffee first and then a faulty keyboard. Have you tried "dropping" a 10Kg hammer on it? Perhaps slip it under the wheels of a train? ;)

                  W Offline
                  W Offline
                  Wjousts
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #15

                  I would. But after it survived the tea bath I gave it, I kinda have new found respect for the tough little bugger. If only it wouldn't randomly freeze up for a few seconds every once in a while!

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                  • W Wjousts

                    Just lately my work laptop has intermittently taken to suddenly changing it's keyboard layout. But it's not system-wide, it usually happens to a single (different) application I have open. For example, I just restarted Firefox because my W has coming out as a Z and my : was coming out as an M? All my other applications seemed to be fine. It's absolutely baffling. Has anybody else seen anything like this? I've already asked for a new laptop, but since we are about to upgrade (finally) to Windows 7 (from XP), I'm holding out for a brand new Windows 7 laptop rather than have them give me an XP laptop and then upgrade it again a week or two later. My current laptop is truly on it's last legs. It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back :java:

                    R Offline
                    R Offline
                    Rajesh R Subramanian
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #16

                    You're pressing the key combination that toggles the input language (and/or the keyboard layout). This combination is usually : Left Alt + Left Shift. If you choose the option to see language bar on your desktop, you can confirm this assumption that the input language has changed to something else (presumably EN-GB).

                    Wjousts wrote:

                    suddenly changing it's keyboard layout. But it's not system-wide, it usually happens to a single (different) application I have open.

                    The input language switch happens on process basis, and this behaviour is by design. The reason is that if I'm drafting something in Tamil language in notepad, I wouldn't want to see Tamil glyphs being typed if I just switch to Firefox for a moment and type something there. If you're not using any language other than EN-US, then go to control panel and remove the input languages that you aren't using.

                    "Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.

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                    • D DeathByChocolate

                      Well, this fine quality Swiss Easter Egg isn't going to eat itself you know! ;P

                      "State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B

                      R Offline
                      R Offline
                      Rajesh R Subramanian
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #17

                      Assuming that your claims here are actually true, I'd think that except for when you're eating chocolates, you'd pretty much spend the rest of your time on a treadmill. :)

                      "Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.

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                      • D DeathByChocolate

                        No proglems zere! ;)

                        "State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B

                        H Offline
                        H Offline
                        Henry Minute
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #18

                        Repeat after me: "Gottle of geer." "Gottle of geer." "Gottle of geer." "Gottle of geer." "Vust get Henry a gottle of geer."

                        Henry Minute Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is. Cogito ergo thumb - Sucking my thumb helps me to think.

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                        • R Rajesh R Subramanian

                          Assuming that your claims here are actually true, I'd think that except for when you're eating chocolates, you'd pretty much spend the rest of your time on a treadmill. :)

                          "Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.

                          D Offline
                          D Offline
                          DeathByChocolate
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #19

                          You have outed me! Truth is I hardly ever eat chocolate ... I love it but I just have a little from time to time - otherwise a whole new wardrobe would be required, if you know what I mean. :rolleyes: ... but I like to dream! :-O :-D

                          "State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B

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                          • D Dalek Dave

                            Griff, trust me, that isn't Toblerone!

                            --------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] English League Tables - Live

                            D Offline
                            D Offline
                            DeathByChocolate
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #20

                            You can't beat the knobbly bits on a Toblerone! ;P

                            "State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B

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                            • W Wjousts

                              Wow! I can't believe I didn't know that. I bet I've done it while alt-tabbing between windows (and some time alt-shift-tabbing to go backwards). The problem was that I had a French keyboard "installed" from when I was messing around with language settings to test a . vs , issue. I removed it from the list of installed keyboards and now it won't switch even with alt-shift. Cheers!

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              Lost User
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #21

                              Yep, isn't it astonishing that a stateful change can be made using only modifier keys and that this is on be DEFAULT. AND those modifier keys are part of several well-established key sequences already. Dumb as you like.

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                              • W Wjousts

                                Just lately my work laptop has intermittently taken to suddenly changing it's keyboard layout. But it's not system-wide, it usually happens to a single (different) application I have open. For example, I just restarted Firefox because my W has coming out as a Z and my : was coming out as an M? All my other applications seemed to be fine. It's absolutely baffling. Has anybody else seen anything like this? I've already asked for a new laptop, but since we are about to upgrade (finally) to Windows 7 (from XP), I'm holding out for a brand new Windows 7 laptop rather than have them give me an XP laptop and then upgrade it again a week or two later. My current laptop is truly on it's last legs. It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back :java:

                                W Offline
                                W Offline
                                Wendelius
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #22

                                If not already posted, not that pressing left shift and alt simultaneously toggles between keyboard layouts. I often do this by mistake :)

                                1 Reply Last reply
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                                • W Wjousts

                                  Just lately my work laptop has intermittently taken to suddenly changing it's keyboard layout. But it's not system-wide, it usually happens to a single (different) application I have open. For example, I just restarted Firefox because my W has coming out as a Z and my : was coming out as an M? All my other applications seemed to be fine. It's absolutely baffling. Has anybody else seen anything like this? I've already asked for a new laptop, but since we are about to upgrade (finally) to Windows 7 (from XP), I'm holding out for a brand new Windows 7 laptop rather than have them give me an XP laptop and then upgrade it again a week or two later. My current laptop is truly on it's last legs. It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back :java:

                                  realJSOPR Offline
                                  realJSOPR Offline
                                  realJSOP
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #23

                                  Wjousts wrote:

                                  and my : was coming out as an M?

                                  I bet it really hurts when something other that ! or | comes out of your :

                                  ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                                  -----
                                  You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                                  -----
                                  "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

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                                  • H Henry Minute

                                    Repeat after me: "Gottle of geer." "Gottle of geer." "Gottle of geer." "Gottle of geer." "Vust get Henry a gottle of geer."

                                    Henry Minute Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is. Cogito ergo thumb - Sucking my thumb helps me to think.

                                    G Offline
                                    G Offline
                                    Gary Wheeler
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #24

                                    99 gottles of geer on ze vall, 99 gottles of geer; take vun doon, pass it aroond, 98 gottles of geer on ze vall! 99 gottles of geer on ze vall, 98 gottles of geer; take vun doon, pass it aroond, 97 gottles of geer on ze vall! ...

                                    Software Zen: delete this;

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • W Wjousts

                                      Just lately my work laptop has intermittently taken to suddenly changing it's keyboard layout. But it's not system-wide, it usually happens to a single (different) application I have open. For example, I just restarted Firefox because my W has coming out as a Z and my : was coming out as an M? All my other applications seemed to be fine. It's absolutely baffling. Has anybody else seen anything like this? I've already asked for a new laptop, but since we are about to upgrade (finally) to Windows 7 (from XP), I'm holding out for a brand new Windows 7 laptop rather than have them give me an XP laptop and then upgrade it again a week or two later. My current laptop is truly on it's last legs. It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back :java:

                                      V Offline
                                      V Offline
                                      Vivi Chellappa
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #25

                                      Wjousts wrote:

                                      It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back [Coffee]

                                      Spilling :beer: would explain the kind of behavior you describe, but tea?

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • W Wjousts

                                        Just lately my work laptop has intermittently taken to suddenly changing it's keyboard layout. But it's not system-wide, it usually happens to a single (different) application I have open. For example, I just restarted Firefox because my W has coming out as a Z and my : was coming out as an M? All my other applications seemed to be fine. It's absolutely baffling. Has anybody else seen anything like this? I've already asked for a new laptop, but since we are about to upgrade (finally) to Windows 7 (from XP), I'm holding out for a brand new Windows 7 laptop rather than have them give me an XP laptop and then upgrade it again a week or two later. My current laptop is truly on it's last legs. It probably didn't help when I spilt a nearly full cup of tea over it a few months back :java:

                                        M Offline
                                        M Offline
                                        Mark_Wallace
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #26

                                        I had a similar problem with Chinese. It turned out to be a Java setting, which, naturally, only affected Java apps. If that's the problem, I can look up how i fixed it, or you can just browse for Java language settings (but don't accept the first and most repeated "solution" returned, because it's high-level crap that doesn't change anything). [edit] you can check to see if Java is the problem by opening the Java applet in Control Panel. If the keyboard goes wonky there, Java's probably the problem.

                                        I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!

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