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keyboard layout has changed oddly?

Anonymous
2023-11-01T21:36:18+00:00

Hi!

My keyboard works now in a strange way - especially its left side:

  • instead of q I get qw,
  • instead of a I get ç (but uppercase),
  • instead of s - as, x- zx, w-qw
  • instead of z I get delete,
  • instead of 1 I get current date and hour (nice! but I don't want it now:)

ESC freezes my computer and Tab and left ALT closes it,

OSK - works almost well, on logon screen it puts also correct characters. It doesn't accept numbers, instead of them I get letters from below row of keys

This strange behaviour is in both Polish and English layout, but Ukrainian and Italian keyboards also make such silly jokes;) - doubled letters from left part of keyboard.

I've tried disinstalling layouts and installing them back, I've tried disinstalling HID keyboard device from system panel, tried to revert to last restore point - no effects. Turned off antivirus, secure shell ect. software and no effects. Most simple solution - turning off and on the computer and removing keyboard's plug from it also doesn't work.

System is win7 64bit, web browser is always in sandboxing environment,

Wojtek

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Input and language

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-02T13:22:25+00:00

    Keyboards wear out.  They fail.  It is actually one of the more common repair issues.

    99% of all keyboard problems are caused by hardware failure.

    If yours is a desktop, replacing a keyboard is a trip to the store to buy a new one.  You can buy them form $10 to $100.  Check carefully, many times there is not much difference.  

    If yours is a laptop, replacing can become a significant technical challenge that is beyond most people and requires a competent technician.  Make certain that the keyboard installed is in fact the exact model.  There are many that look a lot alike, that will cause you problems.  Cost likely approaching $100.  An alternative is to buy an external one, just like that used on a desktop PC.

    You can diagnose a laptop by using a wired known-good USB keyboard to test.

    There are some laptop models for which a keyboard change is relatively simple.  Check Youtube for your specific model.  I mean your specific model.  The simple ones are removed by pressing down on a tiny tab at the top of the keyboard.  There are likely 4 or 5 of those tabs, so you have to kind of release one and hold it up while releasing more.  When you get it right it will just pop off.  It is connected by a ribbon cable to the computer.

    Be very careful to get the right replacement.  Many are similar but if you do not get the right on, you are not going to be happy,

    The good news is that these are relatively inexpensive.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-02T13:52:09+00:00

    Thanks a lot for your reply, I've spent some hours on Google and trying to examine my computer,

    Yes, my keyboard is quite old (many characters have faded and it is blank black now...), replacing it isn't a great issue for me. It could be a strange hardware error, because today it works fine except defunct right ALT. I've cleaned it on quite constant routine but it's time to go shopping :)

    Why I hadn't plugged it onto other computer from which I've posted that message? The simplest diagnosis which could have been done. A human learns whole life ;)

    Cheers, Wojtek

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-02T14:00:11+00:00

    It is surprising how many people waste so much energy trying to fix this kind of a problem, when the solution and diagnosis is so simple.

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