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Computer Help

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HST Power

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For the past two years, I have had a Compaq Presario CQ61. Up until about three weeks ago, its been going perfectly well, but now, it's driving me nuts.

Put it simply, the computer has a mind of its own. The list of problems has gone out of the door. For starters, when I use the forum and try to quote posts, the spacebar seems to lock in without me even pressing it, and all I can do is watch as the typing icon rockets across the screen. It's impossible to stop it.

Secondly, I can no longer copy and paste pictures or links, because the computer has decided that it's much more fun to deselect something the second I want to select it.

Thirdly, the spacebar has become unresponsive, the arrow keys are malfunctioning and if I try to move windows or documents the second I release the mouse it flies back into it's original position. Worst of all, if I type the letter 'S' in the start menu, as in S for 'Steam', it goes to sleep and takes another six years to wake up.

I tried contacting Customer Support, but every time I tried to select my location as in the 'United Kingdom', the menu would reopen, the arrows keys would lock and no matter how hard I tried, the computer insisted that my location was actually 'Barbados.'

When I try to play games, the arrow keys lock (again) and when I press 'forward', my car ends up turning right and going around in continuous circles.

The laptop is not even two years old. I never visit unfamiliar websites or download anything other than work related documents and gaming add ons.

I have Norton security and have rebooted, restored and cleared the system dozens of times, to no avail.

I'm posting this thread in the hope that somebody might have a clue what's going on, because I don't, and I'm out of pocket for a new bloody laptop!

Thanks in advance.
 
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Barrett M95

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It sounds like the keyboard has a fault. The spacebar issue may just be dirt it something preventing it from springing back up but you might find the same is true under the CTRL, shift or alt keys. Hence why you are getting some odd behaviour.

Have you tried an air canister to blast away anything under the keys? I'd give the a go for a start then take it from there.
 

tony_mac

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It probably is a hardware problem, but just to make sure it may also be worth setting up a memory stick with some unix distribution and booting with it. http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

Then you can see if the same things happen which will rule out a virus etc.
 

HST Power

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Have you tried an air canister to blast away anything under the keys? I'd give the a go for a start then take it from there.

No, how exactly would I do that and where I could I grab the right stuff from?
 

tony_mac

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£10 at PcWorld!

They may also have them in poundland or 99p stores, which gives you some idea of PcWorld's profit margin on these.
 

yorkie

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Yes, sounds like the keyboard needs to be replaced. Shop around for the best deal, Ebay may be worth a try too. The type of keyboard I had to buy cost £30. Obviously, you do need a keyboard designed for your specific device.
 

flymo

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Geordie back from exile.
FYI, should it ever come to the point of removing the keyboard, there are tutorials on what to do and how to do it, here for example.

All of this at your own risk though, just posting this as a last resort.
 

SS4

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Yes, sounds like the keyboard needs to be replaced. Shop around for the best deal, Ebay may be worth a try too. The type of keyboard I had to buy cost £30. Obviously, you do need a keyboard designed for your specific device.

Alternatively a USB keyboard will do the job just as well and cost a pittance in comparison. IIRC the OP can disable the built in keyboard via Device Manager (assuming you use windows). Of course this does come at the cost of some portability (but you do gain a decent number pad!)
 

Crossover

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flymo has half beaten me to it but here is the official HP service manual for your laptop. Page 4-17 deals with the keyboard.

I have a HP Compaq nx7400 laptop and have a service manual for that too and have made good use of it. A quick look at that alongside the link flymo provided suggests it is a very easy job to do and those ZIF connectors are very easy to use - simply lift the black flap up and the cable comes out...reinsert cable and push down the little flap and you should be good to go again.

Before buying a replacement keyboard though, I would suggest removing it and (although I'm sure my fellow techies would cringe at me saying this) give a it a good shake (tapping it gently on each edge on a desk works well) and you will be amazed how much stuff comes out of it and you may find you dislodge something that has been causing the problems...and at no monetary cost :D
Failing that, you have the spares reference in the service manual so you can shop around for a replacement keyboard.

You are welcome to PM me if you wish as I am a techie and have had a couple of laptops apart in the past so hopefully may be able to help you :)
 

HST Power

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Thank you very much for all your help and advice, much appreciated. :)

I will try out the air canister next week. If that doesn't work, well.....keyboard dismantling time!!
 
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