Another computer question?
Asked by
rojo (
24179
)
April 4th, 2015
Yes, another question from someone who can’t function without them but does not really understand them.
My work computer has developed a nasty habit. As I type, the words may, or may not, appear on the screen. Sometimes nothing will be there and several seconds later what I typed will show, other times it seems to skip over several letters and then there are the times when nothing shows, ever.
It does this offline, using mostly Excel or Word, and when I am online. Online it is most aggravating trying to enter passwords and if I jump from one page to another it is like the computer is trying to catch up but not there yet.
I have not added nor deleted any programs, probably within the past two years,
It is a Dell and uses Windows 7. Now, I do have a virtual machine within that runs the old Windows XP that rarely gets used but was added to access an older program will still refer back to from time to time.
I have scanned it using Malware Bytes, AVI and MS Security Essentials and have come up with nothing.
I am beginning to think it is a hardware problem with the keyboard. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse, have checked out all the connections, made sure they are all tight and even put fresh batteries in to no avail. I do not have a problem with the mouse,
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8 Answers
Tried a different keyboard? It could also be a memory/driver problem. I’d start with a hard wired generic keyboard and go from there.
I agree, most likely it’s time for a new keyboard. That said, a wireless keyboard can behave badly if the usb dongle is pluuged in near a telephone or other electrical device. Also, be sure to plug that dongle directly into the computer, not a multi-usb hub. Also, check your keyboard settings. Look for
I agree with the others try a new key board first.
If it is wireless keyboard; try replacing the battery first.
Keeping in mind the question I just read through, about people not reading the details, I read all of his details and that is how I know he’s already tried fresh batteries @Tropical_Willie!
As Pachy wrote, using a wireless keyboard (or mouse), they can get jammed by other wireless signals, so if the device that receives the wireless signal on the computer is near to other wifi devices (especially a wireless modem plugged into a nearby USB port) they can jam each other and the behavior can be like this (making the input device choppy). If that’s it, then using USB ports on opposite sides of the computer, using USB extension cords to spread out the wifi devices, and/or replacing some of the wireless devices with wired devices, can solve the problem.
It could be the keyboard, but I doubt it.
It sounds much more like something is chewing up his memory – RAM – and the keyboard signal has to wait to be processed.
I would want to know how much RAM is on the machine. Also, go to task manager and look at the display – is memory 20% used (which is normal), or 90% used (which would lead to your symptoms.
It’s entirely possible that some process (good or malevolent) is grabbing memory and that’s what is clobbering you.
@elbanditoroso – good point. My laptop sometimes gets jammed due to Flash (I see why Steve Jobs hated it). Log off, then log back on helps a lot. I think it is due to Chrome coming with Flash, and Flash installing a second copy next to it, so both are running at the same time. There is a way to turn one off, but still gets jammed if I leave Chrome on overnight.
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