Really bizarre keyboard problem

[SantiClaws]

Out of the clear blue sky my computer decided that the key press for comma is actually a "b". It's the only key on the keyboard that's messed up. The actual "b" is still a "b." I tried a different USB port and a different keyboard without any luck. I thought of re-assigning the key with software but since the computer thinks that when I'm pressing the "comma" key I'm actually pressing the "b" key the software assigns the comma to both the "comma" key and the actual "b" key.

I'm totally at a loss and googling has not resulted in anything useful. Windows 10x64. Help!!

 

[Ketchup]

That is really odd, considering other keyboards do the same thing. Have you considered a Windows reset?

 

[SantiClaws]

I was hoping I could come up with something a little less drastic.

 

[Ichinisan]

That is really odd, considering other keyboards do the same thing. Have you considered a Windows reset?

I don't think he tried another keyboard. I don't see any mention of it.

Anyway, it sounds like something is crossed in the keyboard matrix. The matrix circuit allows a simpler design than having a controller chip with an electrical trace to every single key. It's also the reason you can't hold more than a few keys with certain combinations.

[edit]

OK, now I see where OP mentioned trying a different keyboard. Derp!

 

[Ichinisan]

...maybe open intl.cpl and see if your keyboard layout is set correctly.

 

[C1]

Well, a less drastic move would be to delete (or remove) the keyboard hardware in Device Manager then reboot (reinstalls KB) & see what happens.

 

[SantiClaws]

Will try both of the above when I get home tonight and report back. Thanks!

 

[SantiClaws]

Tried both - no dice. Any other thoughts?

 

[C1]

Here's some things to try to unlock the KB (if you havent already).


- Function+Num lock (then test KB)

- Try hitting CTRL and Shift at the same time (then test KB)

- Press ctrl+shift+num lock key (then test KB)

- "Okay mine had a different issue and after trying all your suggestions I remembered that there were two types of keyboards, qwerty (what we use) and Dvorak. Now for some reason mine was on qwerty by default but my keyboard was typing as if it were Dvorak. The way I fixed is is I right clicked on the "EN" button on the language bar, selected "settings" and on top I selected english dvorak as my default input language. Then I selected qwerty again and it fixed it. (if I didn't explain it good enough ask me)"


- 1st goto start, click on run, the run window will open there u type osk, then press enter


Here's the research for the above tips:

http://www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-2175972/laptop-keyboard-typing-wrong-characters.html

http://ccm.net/forum/affich-33778-desktop-keyboard-types-wrong-letter

https://www.theguardian.com/technol...when-pressing-a-key-produces-the-wrong-result


If KB is still an issue, then they are saying to do a "Restore"


If none of the above do not work then my advice would be to do a "windows repair".
(You will need your installation disk & product key)
Basically after the repair you will have all your files & settings in place. Whats restored are all critical windows system files.

 

[softoman]

Hi,
I had a similar problem. I solved this problem by replacing and cancel buttons.
You need try MapKeyboard where you can turn off the "b" or to give it a different meaning.

 

[SantiClaws]

tried everything except a full repair. I really don't want to reinstall all of my programs which a "restore" will do - keep my files but wipe my installed programs. Plus this was an upgrade win10 install so I don't have a win10 disk. I suppose just copying down my serial No. will work? I have never had this problem in my life. I can't even find anyone who had the exact same problem googling - all similar issues seem to involve a number of keys not just one. Ugh.

 

[Ketchup]

I will say that I had some really odd problems with one of my Windows 10 upgrades. A fresh install fixed those issues. The nice thing about 10 is that "keys" are no longer needed. Once Windows 10 activates on your system, it saves a fingerprint, and future installs will automatically activate.

So all you really need is a download from this link, your programs, and a good backup:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/
Select "Download tool now."

 

[C1]

If the KB works correctly with another computer, then the KB is okay (as sometimes the KB chip goes bad).


A guess is that you have a corrupted windows file. If you can find out which file, then take that file off another correctly working computer system. Just rename the original file (ie, do not delete it just in case). If it's a system file windows may not let you mess with the file, so you could use something like Puppy Linux to make the file swap/mod. (Puppy can just be put on a USB stick or CD; the program is less than 200mb.)

 

[SantiClaws]

If the KB works correctly with another computer, then the KB is okay (as sometimes the KB chip goes bad).


A guess is that you have a corrupted windows file. If you can find out which file, then take that file off another correctly working computer system. Just rename the original file (ie, do not delete it just in case). If it's a system file windows may not let you mess with the file, so you could use something like Puppy Linux to make the file swap/mod. (Puppy can just be put on a USB stick or CD; the program is less than 200mb.)

Any idea how I would go about finding which file is corrupted?

 

[C1]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...a40be/using-system-file-checker-in-windows-10

 

[SantiClaws]

Yeah it was one of the first things I tried. It didn't find any corrupt files. A repair install is looking more and more likely. Ugh.

 

[C1]

At this point, before wiping the OS, I would be careful to make sure that what's going on is not some weird hardware issue.

When something like this happens, the first thing I typically do is verify that the system can be made to work correctly via an alternate means. For example, boot up using an old Windows startup disk & opening up text editor to verify that texting works as it should. (This verifies the hardware & pins it to the software that is causing the issue.)

(A simpler possibility might be to enter BIOS & try the KB there, but off hand Im not aware of any BIOS functions that Ive had in the past which used those affected keys [except possibly the /], but you could look.)

Puppy Linux would do nicely for such test (as it has a nice text editor built in) and doesnt need to be installed on the HDD.

Does Win 10 have a safe mode ? If so what happens with the KB then ? (Generally USB drivers used to not load in safe mode, but Win 10 may have an option for it.)

Found this:

http://www.techspot.com/community/topics/keyboard-characters-mixed-up-not-a-hardware-problem.20339/

Ya, looks like you have an OS issue (key map issue).


PS: As a long shot, go into control panel - keyboard and change the "repeat speed" setting. Slow the speed & see what happens.



Home » Software » 5 Tools to Move and Remap Keys on Your Keyboard
5 Tools to Move and Remap Keys on Your Keyboard

https://www.raymond.cc/blog/make-certain-keys-on-a-keyboard-to-act-like-other-keys/

 

[SantiClaws]

Tried linux and it recognizes the comma key just fine. Definitely a W10 problem. I think I've run out of options at this point. Have to do a repair and reinstall all of my programs. What a pain in the ass.

 

[C1]

For a re-install yes, but not if you can do a repair.

A repair should leave all installed programs in place as well most of your settings & pretty much all that should be required is various setting adjustments. The kicker is that the repair may not be sufficient to solve the issue as it kind of is akin to the "scannow" replacement of critical system files.

Try a repair 1st as that shouldnt be nearly as bad as you are expecting.

 

[SantiClaws]

For a re-install yes, but not if you can do a repair.

A repair should leave all installed programs in place as well most of your settings & pretty much all that should be required is various setting adjustments. The kicker is that the repair may not be sufficient to solve the issue as it kind of is akin to the "scannow" replacement of critical system files.

Try a repair 1st as that shouldnt be nearly as bad as you are expecting.

Actually, the standard Win10 repair install does NOT leave user-installed programs in place, it deletes them, unlike previous Windows OS's, it only leaves personal information. Which is why I was looking for a way to do a repair install without deleting user-installed programs. I did, finally, find a way to do it using this guide: https://www.winhelp.us/non-destructive-reinstall-of-windows-8-and-8-1.html#speed

The link says Windows 8, but the site has been updated to include Windows 10. So for anyone who experiences this issue or some other and stumbles across this thread, that's the way to do a Windows 10 repair install without deleting programs. And doing that reinstall fixed my keyboard problem! Commas, commas everywhere!