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Question

Issue with external keyboard

Oct 10, 2015 1:24PM PDT

Tech stuff, i have an HP Pavilion dv6 laptop from around 2012, with Windows 7. External keyboard is a Razer Blackwidow from 2011/2012.

Today I started having issues with my external keyboard. A few things happened so i'm unsure where to start with fixing it.

1. Plugging in the keyboard does not allow typing. Trying to use the external keyboard is not possible and it does not respond to input.

2. Clicking in textboxes and left clicking in general does not do what should be expected. Clicking in the address bar in chrome brings up the "Tell us what is happening" dialog box. In other windows, the keystrokes "&PO{UI" are spammed infinitely. In some cases, the cursor will rapidly alternate between the pointer and the symbol that resembles an uppercase "I".

3. The laptop keyboard becomes unusable.

Closing the laptop lid to return to the log-in screen fixes the issue. The issue is not present until the keyboard is plugged in. I've had the keyboard for years and never experienced these issues.

I have run a virus scan and that has turned up no issues. Other than prying off the keys and trying to clean the keyboard, is there anything else I could be doing?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
As a test.
Oct 10, 2015 1:36PM PDT

What happens if the old USB keyboard is not used at all?

If it works fine, I'd try another model USB keyboard.

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RE
Oct 10, 2015 1:40PM PDT

The issue is completely with the USB keyboard as far as I can see, but ideally i'd like to fix the issue rather than having to buy a new one.

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So it's just the USB keyboard?
Oct 10, 2015 1:48PM PDT

I see folk have discussed fixing keyboards on the web so no need for me to duplicate that here. These are rarely repaired unless it's something minor and in the owner's comfort zone.

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Answer
a couple of things
Oct 10, 2015 1:38PM PDT

try another keyboard
try the keyboard on another computer