Computer Gurus - Keyboard Problems

[GA Russell]

I bought a new computer keyboard for Christmas, and I have had a geat deal of trouble with it. It was not expensive, but came highly rated per customer reviews.

1) I have owned a computer since 1987, and my biggest problem with this keyboard is the repeat of letters if you hold the key down too long. That is not a feature that I have ever wanted, and I don't know why it exists. This is the first computer keyboard I have had this problem with. Apparently my touch is too heavy for it.

Is there a way to turn off this feature?

2) My second problem is that the shift key is small, and the control key is below it rather than beside it. I find that I (apparently) am hitting the control key rather than the shift key, so no letter appears in most cases.

Is there a keyboard with a large shift key like old typewriters had?

Thanks for your suggestions!

[JSngry]

What OS are you running?

[BERIGAN]

might want to research this more, but this sounds interesting.... https://www.buyezeyeskeyboard.com/?refcode=ez3

oh, what brand of keyboard do you have now?

[GA Russell]

I am running Windows 7, which is also new to me. I installed the new keyboard with the new refurb computer I got two months ago.

This keyboard makes me feel like I am a beginner who doesn't know how to type and will have to learn from the beginning. It is a Logitech.

[BERIGAN]

I am running Windows 7, which is also new to me. I installed the new keyboard with the new refurb computer I got two months ago.

This keyboard makes me feel like I am a beginner who doesn't know how to type and will have to learn from the beginning. It is a Logitech.

GA, I am still running Vista (It just works! ) but I wouldn't think it would be too different...I assume you have the round windows symbol in the lower right hand corner. Start. Then the start search box should show up when you click on it. type in keyboard. when keyboard symbol shows up, click on it...this is what I see.

Those are my settings of course, just adjust til it's right for your work habits. Sorry if I have been too obvious in this post! I am no computer guru, and don't know how mad your skillz are.

Edited April 26, 2012 by BERIGAN

[JSngry]

Ok, Windows 7 - get to Control Panel from that orb thing that replaced the Start button, lowest LH corner of the screen. Then open the Keyboard thing. From there you adjust what you want to adjust.

You know, if you had a Mac, your keyboard would tell you what was wrong, fix itself, and then buy you a cup of coffee as a way of apologizing. But us Windows users have to learn how stuff actually works.

[GA Russell]

Thanks Conrad! I never knew that existed. I'll study it.

PS - Thanks, too, Jim!

Edited April 26, 2012 by GA Russell

[JSngry]

OOPS, B Beat me to it!

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Personally, I have never had any luck with Logitech proucts, particularly their keyboards. However, if keys are repeating, you may have "sticky keys" accidentally turned on. I have never understood why anyone would want this feature but it comes with Windows and can turn itself on of you accidentally hold down a few keys too long.

[GA Russell]

Conrad, the Easy Eyes looks interesting, but it still has the small shift button with the control button almost as big. Whose idea was that?!

[JSngry]

"Sticky Keys" is a feature for the physically disabled, real or potentially: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StickyKeys

[BERIGAN]

OOPS, B Beat me to it!

by a WHOLE minute! And great minds think alike, with Mac bashes in each post!

Conrad, the Easy Eyes looks interesting, but it still has the small shift button with the control button almost as big. Whose idea was that?!

Try using the shift key on my tiny phone for a week, your shift key will then seem as big as a microwave!

[Chuck Nessa]

Sticky Keys was the dude on State Street in the '50s. He gave his spot to Blind Arvella Graves. Still seemed to be the same aluminum cup.

[GA Russell]

Personally, I have never had any luck with Logitech proucts, particularly their keyboards. However, if keys are repeating, you may have "sticky keys" accidentally turned on. I have never understood why anyone would want this feature but it comes with Windows and can turn itself on of you accidentally hold down a few keys too long.

Kevin, do you know how to turn sticky keys off?

[.:.impossible]

If sticky keys is what I think it is, hold down shift for five plus seconds. A message will pop up asking you if you want to enable/disable sticky keys.

[GA Russell]

Nope, that didn't work! Nothing happened.

[JSngry]

Check this out: http://www.techrepublic.com/videos/dojo/tr-dojo-disable-sticky-keys-and-filter-keys-warning-messages-in-windows/6206026

Doesn't sound like you've got those things on, but it's useful info anyway.

[GA Russell]

Thanks Jim. I wish he had taken a moment to explain what the two concepts are and why anyone would want them.

[JSngry]

They're both for helping users with accessibility issues.

[.:.impossible]

Maybe it's ctrl. It's something that accidentally happens on my work laptop often. Or Alt?

[JSngry]

It's the right Shift key, like when you hold it down and stop to think. Keep it down too long, and the Filter Key popup pops up.

[.:.impossible]

I never use the right shift key though. Has to be either/both?

[JSngry]

Just the right. I've got this really jakeleg homemade way of typing, and I always use the right Shift key to capitalize. so when I start and then stop to consider, sometimes the finger does not lift. Takes about 10 seconds or so, but then that little Great Gazzoo noise happens, and up it pops, that popup thing does.

Try it at home, kids. fun for the whole family!

[GA Russell]

I adjusted the two controls to the slowest possible. As a result, the repeat problem is gone. I notice that the backspace cursor movement is much slower, so I may have to play with that a little.

Thanks again!

[GA Russell]

I feel like a new man now that I can type and make just a few errors. This is fun again!