My Compaq Presario 2104US laptop is playing up. It’s seems as if a non-printing key like ctrl is stuck down (except I don’t think it is that key).
Symptoms:
- Alt-Tab in windows doesn’t work as if ctrl key is held down. Ctrl-tab works
- pressing and holding the down arrow key produces a ‘c’ character every second
- Using PuTTY on a unix box ctrl-key combinations that require confirmation fail.
- Using KeyTweak it reports the scancode 57392 constantly repeating. When I map that code to any other key it reports the code as key 131 (but I don’t think that is right). Update 3 June: It turns out this was right!
- Booting in linux, the startup console shows ^[[26~ at the typematic rate
So hopefully cleaning the keyboard will unstick the problem. Unfortunately getting at the keyboard to clean it is not obvious. I got onto HP’s live chat and they sent me the link to the service manual. Worst case this fault will require a trip to the repair shop for a new keyboard or keyboard controller. I’ll try cleaning it first.
This manual provides reference information for servicing the HP Pavilion ze5600, ze5500, ze5400, ze5300, ze5200, ze4700, ze4600, ze4500, ze4400, ze4300, ze4200, and ze4100 Notebook PCs, HP Compaq nx9010, nx9008, nx9005, and nx9000 Notebook PCs, Compaq Evo Notebook 1050v and 1010v Series, and Compaq Presario 2500, 2100, and 1100 Series Mobile PCs. These notebook models use technology code KE.
Via the HP website HP and compaq service manual
Update @ 14:29: Cleaning the keyboard didn’t work. But I can buy a replacement keyboard from HP and it will be here in 2-6 days.
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I have the same problem.
I brought this Compaq Presario 2500 (exact model number is 2524AI) almost 2 years ago and the problem started few months ago.
The key that mysteriously presses itself in my case was the ‘L’ key.
Which was an especially great nuisance because whenever the Windows Start menu was open I would be logged out (L being the shortcut for log out in Windows XP)
I was not on warranty so I came up with a temporary solution.
First I tried connecting a PS2 keyboard to the PS2 Mouse/Keyboard port in the back.
Unfortunately plugging in the external keyboard didn’t automatically disable the built-in keyboard.
So I was still getting those mysterious ‘L’ key presses.
Then I removed the internal keyboard (Compaq Spare Number 317443-001) and disconnected the cabal that connects it to the motherboard. Now I could work in peace using the externally plugged in PS2 keyboard. Of course a USB keyboard would have worked as nicely as well.
I worked like this until last week (I use the notebook only at home) and finally decided to get a proper solution to this.
The HP/Compaq dealer in Sri Lanka (DMS Electronics) told me that they have the keyboard (the replacement keyboard’s number was 317443-002) and the price is about 75 US dollars. They said this problem was a very common problem and replacing the keyboard is the usual solution.
Unfortunately when I went to see them they were out of stock and said they would get new stocks in about two weeks.
Instead of waiting, I foolishly looked around some other shops and found one Notebook service shop who said they have the keyboard now and quoted me the almost the same price.
So I got it replaced and it seemed to work fine then.
The following day after working on it for a few hours the ‘6’ key in this keyboard started to press itself.
I called the guy I brought the keyboard from and he assured me that the keyboard was in good working order and that it might be the keyboard controller on the motherboard that might be at fault. He said that they might be able to replace that controller chip (he sounded doubtful about it) or they might have to replace the motherboard. It might cost over 350 US Dollars, he said.
I suppose that he could be right because the PS2 keyboard would have its own keyboard controller.
However when I removed and closely inspected the supposedly ‘new’ keyboard that they installed I found that it is actually an old one and probably is used. So I suspect that it might be a keyboard that was removed for the same fault that I was having with my original problem. After all, everybody I asked, and the web confirmed that this is a common problem with Presario’s.
So I am thinking of returning this keyboard and going back to my old PS2 keyboard.
Sorry about the long comment, I was feeling frustrated about all this that this was sort of just a way of venting that out.
Anyways, I hope your problem was solved and please update me/us on what happened.
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=878830&admit=-682735245+1149909373982+28353475
The long comment is welcome. That’s why I post this stuff. In my case it turned out to be the Volume Down key on the motherboard was actually jammed on against the case. I thought I’d updated this entry, but I’ll post a new entry about it.
I’ve also seen repair shops sell ‘used’ parts as new. A laptop with a cracked screen will be stripped for parts. I don’t think it is the controller.
The keyboard is worth about $25USD in Australia. Also HP tells me nobody stocks spare parts - which makes sense. So your lead time also makes sense so DMS probably has to get parts from HP.
Given that the L key and then the 6 key are playing up on two different keyboards I don’t think it’s your controller. Send it back to the guys who repaired it and get them to replace the keyboard with a brand new one.
I didn’t consider using a USB keyboard but I did try an external PS2 keyboard. The BIOS settings didn’t let me disable the built in keyboard so it didn’t help.
Thanks Paul.
There’s an update on what happened to me when I tried to return the keyboard.
As it could possibly serve as a lesson to someone out there, I would just note it down.
Finally I realized that I have been take for a ride by the shop that sold me the keyboard.
It is a computer repair shop called PC Assuarnce at Unity Plaza (In Sri Lanka) and the person who sold me the keyboard is Mr. Sarath. He is the owner.
In stark contrast to when I brought the keyboard, he was very unfriendly when I visited his shop today and he flat-out rejected a refund. Trying to be diplomatic, I didn’t accuse him of lying; of selling used items on the pretense of being brand new.
But I told him that as he claims the keyboard is good and according to him the controller is the problem, and because I can’t afford to replace it (if it comes to that), I would please like a refund.
He said that he can only give me a refund after about one week when he sells the keyboard to someone else. (Which is highly unlikely since the keyboard is probably faulty).
So I explained to him that I was led to believe by him that he was selling me a new keyboard. I also said that I am highly doubtful whether he would refund me the money and I have given up hope of getting it back. He marked in my invoice that I am to be refunded and asked me to check in a week.
So the lesson I learnt out of this is never be hasty in your buying decision and always make sure that you are dealing with a reputable and professional seller. Although the amount involved is small, the principle remains the same!
So I ended up in square one, with a bad taste and a lighter pocket.
Anyways I will probably get a new keyboard from the real HP dealer in one or too weeks when they get stocks.
Currently, I have disconnected my old keyboard from the motherboard and am using a PS2 keyboard. It works fine for now.
I hope sharing this lesson that I learnt would cause someone else out there to think twice before taking hasty, uninformed decisions.
Thank you all for your support.
lots of thes manuals at http://www.user-guides.co.uk
Beware the user-guides site charges for manuals that can be downloaded free. It may be useful for user manuals for obsolete equipment.
we have a hp nx9010 with the same keyboard problem
Hi Dave, thanks for the comment. You can try the service manual at http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00246219.pdf
Faulty keyboard: Villain ‘Esc’ key.
I have been facing a similar problem with my Compaq Presario V3070TU (V3000 series) running on Windows XP Pro SP2, wherein all of a sudden it started closing the active Windows of any application. It even closed the context menu on right click automatically! It had a couple times given a long beep before the bootup (POST) which kind of scared me. The automatic closing of application windows proved to be quite a bit too much as it would close the window of ‘Magic ISO’ when it is half way through copying a 4.5GB movie from a DVD in the process of creating an Image for later burning.Windows Start menu would open upon pressing the windows Key but only to close in no time thereby making in nearly impossible to select any program from it. I tried to isolate the key in the faulty keyboard and finally zeroed in on the ‘Esc’ key. The temporary solution I have found is to use Keytweak (freeware). I have disabled the Esc key using it and remapped it to the less frequently used ` key. As of now it works good. I shall update in case this turns out to be a failure as well.How much does a spare keyboard of Compaq Presario V3000 series cost one in India?
Hi All, I have a v3018tu model which i bought one year back. I am also having the same problem but the culprit here is refresh key F5. It is such a nuisance that it always refreshes web pages and folders. I gave it to a service centre for checking. They told me that if the keyboard need to be replaced it will cost me 3200 rupees in india. I dont have plan to replace it. I am gonna disable that key using some key trapping software.
Continuing the Discussion