Sounds like broken keyboard. Keys are located by horizontal and vertical positions, and when a group on a line like that go bad together, it's pretty definitely hardware.
If it's still in warranty, get Dell to replace it. Else, time to go shopping (Whoopee, new toys!!)
The issue with this appears to actually be related to the keyboard connector on the mainboard. My understanding is that this can be replaced, curing the problem. Essentially the keyboard gets somewhat locked up with those keys.
However, in the meantime....or permanently....what you can do is to press the diagonal row of keys you mention: 8, i, k and , simultaneously. That is press all four at the same time. You may need to do this somewhat firmly, and I would suggest you be somewhere you can see the characters appear...which they should (notepad etc should work fine). Once unlocked they seem to work fine for awhile.
Now, try not knowing this is going on and using your laptop as a console while setting up an IBM iSeries midrange system...and henceforth blasting your passwords a few times before figuring out what the heck the deal was. Not fun.
vmansd
502 Posts
0
October 6th, 2004 01:00
If it's still in warranty, get Dell to replace it. Else, time to go shopping (Whoopee, new toys!!)
Val
BigBrother
4.8K Posts
0
October 11th, 2004 12:00
hagerg,
What type of computer do you have? If this is a desktop computer, you can simply replace the keyboard.
Steve
GlobalMind
1 Message
0
November 16th, 2004 00:00
Greetings,
The issue with this appears to actually be related to the keyboard connector on the mainboard. My understanding is that this can be replaced, curing the problem. Essentially the keyboard gets somewhat locked up with those keys.
However, in the meantime....or permanently....what you can do is to press the diagonal row of keys you mention: 8, i, k and , simultaneously. That is press all four at the same time. You may need to do this somewhat firmly, and I would suggest you be somewhere you can see the characters appear...which they should (notepad etc should work fine). Once unlocked they seem to work fine for awhile.
Now, try not knowing this is going on and using your laptop as a console while setting up an IBM iSeries midrange system...and henceforth blasting your passwords a few times before figuring out what the heck the deal was. Not fun.
Cheers.
Kevin.