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10 Posts
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1941
October 21st, 2021 19:00
13 R3, keyboard types multiple characters despite only pressing 1 key
Hello,
I have an Alienware 13 R3.
Specs: i7-7700HQ, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 13.3" FHD IPS, GTX 1060 6GB.
Warranty: Expired last year.
The issue I am having:
When I press particular keys on the laptop's keyboard, other characters appear on the screen even though I only pressed the one key.
The keys affected by this are H, I, J, K, L, M, N, Y. The other keys are fine.
For example, here are the characters that appear on my screen when I press the particular key.
H: 9hv
I: 0ib
J: ju
K: wk1:08 PM 22/10/2021
L: al
M: sm
N: dn
Y: gye
As you can see most of the affected keys have one or two additional characters appearing alongside the key I pressed. The additional characters are consistently the same when I press the respective key. The letter 'K' is an interesting one...when I press it my current time and date appears - Maybe that is a clue to what's wrong?
What I have tried so far:
- Uninstalling the keyboard driver, then restarting the laptop so the driver reinstalls automatically.
- Checked the Dell Support page for an Alienware 13 R3 keyboard driver but there wasn't one.
- Removing the keyboard cable, checked it and it looked totally fine. Put the cable back in securely.
- In the keyboard section in Ease of Access settings, I have set everything to 'off' and unticked all boxes.
- In the language and time, I have tried 3 different variations of English language. English Australia, English International, and English US.
- Verified via the On-Screen Keyboard that NumLock is not pressed.
I would really appreciate any help. My last resort is buying a new replacement keyboard and installing it.
Thank you.
0 events found
mattpres
10 Posts
0
November 11th, 2021 20:00
Update: I purchased a replacement keyboard which arrived today. I have installed it carefully. Unfortunately even more keys are not working properly. Please help, I am desperate!!!
mattpres
10 Posts
0
November 11th, 2021 22:00
2nd update: For the first time I am using Ubuntu on this laptop. Unfortunately the keys are still not working properly.
AWX17
2 Intern
•
154 Posts
0
November 12th, 2021 02:00
Try a low-level test by booting into the BIOS or Boot-Menu (F-1 F-12).
Do you get the same results?
mattpres
10 Posts
0
November 14th, 2021 21:00
Hi AWX17,
Good idea. I have just booted in to BIOS and found a section where I can type the majority of my keyboard's keys since most of BIOS is just press left right and enter.
If I click all of the known affected keys I noticed in Win10 and Ubuntu, this is what happens.
H: 9
I: 0
J: nothing at all, literally no character appears when I press J on my keyboard.
K: W
L: L
M: S
N: N
Y: G
Nearly all of the affected keys when clicked in BIOS appear as the first letter that comes up in Win10 and Ubuntu. So I think you could conclude that the problem I am seeing in the operating system's is still present in BIOS.
Also, keep in mind the original laptop keyboard I had AND the new laptop keyboard I installed are having the same issue, but different keys are messing up. I think this issue I am having is hardware related, not software. Either I am just unlucky and both the original and new laptop keyboards are faulty OR the female plug on my motherboard that connects to the keyboard's cable is faulty. That's just where my head is at right now with this issue.
AWX17
2 Intern
•
154 Posts
0
November 15th, 2021 09:00
Yep. Low-level (firmware) issue. I used to program in machine language (directly to the processor).
It is almost like it has been left in a diagnostic mode, or low-level programming mode.
This shouldn't be a hardware issue, as all the keys, technically, work.
I would try re-flashing the Bios. As well, there is a process to low-level, power reset of the Bios....meaning, taking out the battery, motherboard battery, and holding the power button down for 30 seconds. I believe they call it a FLEA reset. Alienware 15 R3 Service Manual | Dell Canada
Alienware 15 R4 Service Manual | Dell Canada
mattpres
10 Posts
0
November 15th, 2021 14:00
Hi AWX17,
I downloaded and installed two previous versions of the Alienware 13 R3 BIOS and neither of them resolved the typing issue. I also reinstalled the current version of the Alienware 13 R3 BIOS and that was also unsuccessful.
I did actually try clearing CMOS settings where you remove battery and motherboard battery, hold the laptops power button for 30 secs... but the keyboard was still playing up after all that. I am reading the 13 R3 service manual now and it does actually tell you to remove the SSD and Wireless Card. Not sure if that's just Alienware trying to keep you safe from data loss but it's worth a shot, I will try doing the CMOS reset via that method now.
Really appreciate your help so far!
Danztensai
3 Posts
0
June 27th, 2022 12:00
Anyone got the solution? I have the some problem :(, tried with your method, remove cmos battery and do flea things, still no luck even I bought new keyboard still no luck,
exactly the same problem except different button, but mine when left arrow press it will print datetime