Keyboard problems - maybe

[Tcrink]

Good evening all, I'm new to forums and getting desperate -

I have an E Systems ES-102 machine running XP SP3, which has developed a keyboard problem, it is OK when started up but after a while typing keys produces random characters, and if one key is typed repeatedly it produces a sequence of characters. Everything else is normal, display, mouse and programme function were all OK.

I got the effect in different progs, text editors, word pros and input boxes.

I tried two other keyboards and got the same effect and also with a wireless keyboard.

It seemed like overheating so I cleaned out dust/fluff from the CPU fan and fitted a 2" fan directly over the chipset which allows it to run for several hours without the problem, but it only lasts about 30mins on the internet (wireless connection).

The prob also developed on a HP Pavilion running Windows 7 (32bit) with wireless and USB keyboards (both new) after I had used it for a couple of days. Again I cleaned it and removed redundant cards (TV and Modem) to try to reduce the heat load, now this m/c will run about 2 hrs (with the side panel removed) but it lasts only about 30mins on the web (ethernet cable).

Task manager shows typically 23-35% memory usage on these PC‘s, I run a ZoneAlarm pro firewall with Forcefield Virtual PC before I connect to the web, I use the web occasionally and not usually for long.

In case it was a virus:- I ran full system scans with current versions of Spybot, AVG free, and Avast together with rootkit scans - no results.

I also ran Trend Micro’s Rootkit Buster and Hijack This which showed nothing dodgy

Both PC's behave normally in other respects even when the keyboard is screwed, no display or mouse probs.

And they always restart normally and will run again without problem if they aren't connected to the web.

I’m running out of ideas!

[Dalo Harkin]

Couple of things:-

 

If the keyboard is a USB one, do you have any USB devices connected at the same time such as an external HDD, even having 3/4 devices can cause delays (these massiveley slow down the USB bus and can cause a delay)

 

Have you ran MEMTEST?

[Tcrink]

Hi Dalo, The XP kbrd is a PS/2 and the HP Kbrd is a wireless one. I haven't rum Memtest but I will Thanks

TCrink

[Tcrink]

Hi Dalo, The XP kbrd is a PS/2 and the HP Kbrd is a wireless one. I haven't rum Memtest but I will Thanks

TCrink

 

I ran memtest on the ES-102 and The HP Pavilion desktop and got zero errors on both. Tcrink

[Plastic Nev]

In your first post you mentioned running AVG and Avast. Are they both still installed? Because of the way they work, two antivirus programs running at the same time will conflict with each other. If both are still installed, remove one of them, the conflicts may just be the cause.

Nev.

[Tcrink]

I don't normally use AV progs, but I installed & ran AVG first, then cleared it from the PC and ran Avast, then cleared that and ran Rootkit Buster etc.

Thanks for the interest.

Tcrink

[RandyL]

I don't normally use AV progs

Considering that statement and the fact you have developed the exact same problem on 2 of your PC's I think it's possible you have malware.

[Tcrink]

Hi RandyL

I read a similar post, and since malwarebytes was installed on the HP Pavilion I did a full scan (35 mins)

No infections of any kind.

I agree that logically it looks like an infection but I can't find one.

The XP machine will run for more than 3hrs without problem since I fitted a small fan but only about 30 mins if I access the web (wireless dongle)

Tcrink

[Starbuck]

I actually know a few people that never run an AV on their systems.

But they are very knowledgeable and run other types of scanning/monitoring software.

From what i've read here, it does seem to be a heat problem ..... but i'm not qualified to say what or where to look.

That said, MBAM doesn't always find everything.... just the general malware.

[Tcrink]

Hi Starbuck, thanks for the response, my broadband connection spends most of it's time off so my basic risk is low and I believe a pro firewall and virtual PC keep the system clean.

I'm down to plan B I think so I'm going to try installing Linux as a dual-boot and access the web via Linux to see if I get the same prob.

regards

Tcrink

[Tcrink]

Possible breakthrough

 

Hi,

Before I switched to Linux I decided to try web access without using the Zone Alarm firewall or 'Forcefield' - don't ask me why.

 

The HP Pavilion desktop (with side panel removed) has been running continuously from before 1:00 today and I have twice been connected to the web, once for around 30 mins and just now for over an hour and as you can see the keyboard is fine.

I am running Win7 with the Windows firewall and Win Defender as the only protection.

This makes me nervous so I'd be glad for advice on alternative firewalls!

Tcrink

[Starbuck]

This makes me nervous so I'd be glad for advice on alternative firewalls!

Apart from Zone Alarm, the only other firewalls i normally recommend are:

 

• Online Armor Free
  
• Sunbelt Personal Firewall
  

 

But i'm a little confused:

I am running Win7 with the Windows firewall and Win Defender as the only protection.

But you have ZoneAlarm installed?

Do you have Zone Alarm and the Windows Firewall running?

[Tcrink]

Hi Starbuck,

 

Do you have Zone Alarm and the Windows Firewall running?

 

I have Zonealarm Pro firewall & ZA Forcefield installed but not running, only Win Defender

set for realtime and Win firewall both local and public nets.

 

I have used ZA for quite a few years, since the first Forcefield Beta came out, once before a windows update conflicted with ZA and they issued a patch. I did think the latest version was a bit more intrusive (the Forcefield service has no 'stop this service' option) but I don't understand it either!

 

I'll have a look at the firewalls you noted, thanks.

Tcrink

[Tcrink]

Hi all,

I am typing this having been on-line for 1 1/4 hours with as you can see no kbrd probs!

 

I have posted a brief summary of the results with ZA software on and off, on the Zone-Alarm Users forum and will report here on the response.

 

It's nice to have a working PC again!!!

Tcrink

[Tcrink]

Hi again, this is the response I got from ZA Users ...

The garbage text issue was resolved a long time ago in FF. I am not aware of this bug in latest version of ZAPRO of.

If you think you found an issue in ZAPRO or FF please contact the official ZA technical support at the link in my signature. We are all users here and issue must be troubleshooted and properly sorted out with ZA representatives.

Thanks,

Fax

P.S. ZAPRO does not offer dedicated antivirus protection. You should run a proper antivirus alongside it.

 

No guidance on how I am supposed to know the prob was a software glitch!

 

The response from Tech help was to reset a switch in the Adnanced settings page, I did that & am now running with ZA pro firewall and Forcefield (Win firewall & defender turned off) now I twiddle my thumbs for 30+ mins to see if it works.

Suddenly I'm not the fan of ZA I used to be.

Tcrink

[Tcrink]

End of Problem?

 

Hi team,

 

Changing a switch in Forcefield helped a bit but didn't cure the kbrd prob.

They sent me a prog upgrade for ZA pro which seems to have done the trick.

I can now run on the web with both ZA and FF running for over an hour with no problem.

I get bored with the web long before that.

Hopefully this is now the end of the prob for me, for information it seems to have been a rogue key-logger in FF

many thanks

TcRink (Eric Hutchinson)