Keyboard 'partially' freezes
 

Ever since I recently migrated from windows to linux - my keyboard has been 'partially' freezing (I'd be typing and all at once the letters I struck stop appearing on the screen) - yet - the 'arrow keys' will work.

A restart sometimes (but not always) will correct this problem.

The keyboard is a new 'Microsoft Comfort Curved wired 2000 keyboard'.

I am operating Ubuntu 11.04 exclusively on a vista computer.

What could causing this problem? How can I prevent it from
happening and how can I rectify it?? It is most aggravating when I
am filling in a form.

Thank you for your help.

The first thing would be to check your /var/log/Xorg.0.log and look for problems indicated by (EE) involving the keyboard. Does the same thing happen when you type in a virtual terminal (ctl-alt-F1 to F6)?
ciao,
jdk

Thank you for trying to help - but - I am a 'brand new newbie' to Linux. As such,
your 1st suggestion was way above me.
As for your 2nd suggestion, my keyboard problem only happens occasionally - and it
did not happen when in the 'Virtual Terminal?' (how are you suppose to close it?).

I think you need to take some time and read up on the basics of your Ubuntu. They have tons of documentations and howtos. Just do a search for things like Xorg.0.log on theses sites and you find your answers.
If you have logged into a virtual terminal (typed in userid and password) then you logout by typing "exit" (without inverted commas). You get back to your X-session with Ctl-Alt-F7 (I guess, I don't really know Ubuntu).
Try and find a good introduction and do some reading.
ciao,
jdk

Oh - okay. I have ordered the book 'Linux for Dummies' - maybe, that'll help
me (most of the Linux how to's available on the web - don't).
Thank you for your reply.

Best of luck to you. Believe me, it gets easier.
ciao,
jdk

Hi cygpen,

Is the keyboard USB connected? The rectangular plug not the old style round PS/2 plug? If it is USB you might try unplugging it and plugging it back in next time it malfunctions. I am using an old PS/2 keyboard and a $2.99 PS/2 to USB converter because I did not like the keyboard which came with my high $$$ Dell desktop. So I am using a keyboard from an old Dell server I purchased several years ago. Either the keyboard or the cheap adapter seems to be a problem.

Every so often the old keyboard will go nuts. Sometimes the indicator lights go off and on as though the PC was being booted. Or a key will repeatttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt until I hit the Esc key. Or it will suffer some other random malfunction. It used to just die although this has not happened recently (of course it will now that I said that). When it did die I used to reboot with the mouse. However, I found that unplugging the USB adapter from the PC and plugging it back in caused the keyboard to be re-recognized and it would work again.

So try the pulling the plug trick. Or temporarily try the keyboard which came with the PC and see if the problem still occurs. Perhaps Linux takes offense at a Microsoft keyboard :D

Ken

taylorkh

Thank you - I knew that I could count on you for some genuine help. The nest timme it happens - I will pull the usb
plug and see if that helps. The computer that now has Ubuntu exclusively - was a Vista until it crashed -- so am I I not locked into a Microsoft keyboard??

Did it come with a Microsoft keyboard? I would have guessed that to be an upgrade. Any USB keyboard should work fine. See if the unplug/replug idea helps. Perhaps the connection is a little dirty or loose.

Ken

Yes the Vista computer that crashed and I installed UBUNTU over the Vista came with a Microsoft keyboard. You are
right about my present keyboard being an upgrade. When I experience the problem again - I will pull and check the
plug. Thank you for your help.