Weird computer issue

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Toonces, Jan 27, 2004.

  1. Toonces

    Toonces

    As usual, Dell support is of no help on a problem I'm having. But I'm going to have to buy a new computer if I can't figure this out, so I thought I'd post here to see if anyone else had this problem.

    Every so often, I am unable to type anything onto a screen. For example, I was trying to send a message to a company online the other day. I would get a few sentences down, and either the keyboard would start outputting all caps (the cap lock button not on) or I couldn't type anything at all, or the message would just disappear. Often when this is happening, I am getting a clicking sound from the computer, kind of like when you click on an link to go to another page. But I am getting the clicking sound a few times a minute. It's almost like the computer is busy doing something when I'm trying to type. This isn't just happening within Internet Explorer; it happens in trading software, where I can't type in a symbol, change a price, etc.

    I assumed I was having spyware problems, and maybe I am, but I now have a firewall, I keep running Spybot and Spyhunter (no matter how often I run these, I always have suspicious files), as well as antivirus software, and still having a problem.

    Any ideas? Thanks
     
  2. what about using a different keyboard?

    does mouse input still work? Can you highlight some text, right click and select COPY, then paste it in wherever you were typing?
     
  3. Do you have an ''always on '' internet connection? Like dsl, cable etc.

    Does this happen if you are not on the internet?
     
  4. Banjo

    Banjo

    All these periphials have drivers, they get screwed up or dropped completely sometimes. Post your operating system/cpu/ Dell model etc.
     
  5. If the above suggestions don't work, before you buy a new computer, you might try reformatting the HDD and reinstalling everything. Just be sure to back up all important data first.
     
  6. pspr

    pspr

    Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date. If so, you may have to just format and re-install everything. If that doesn't solve it then it could be hardware.
     
  7. BTW, can I have the old one if you get a replacement? :)

    Also, forgot to mention it the first time - AdAware and probably others flag cookies as "questionable" files. If thats the only thing you get when you re-run a scan, then that is not a problem. Cookies are just text files. They will not affect the performance or functionality of your computer
     
  8. hayman

    hayman

    Sounds like it's your keyboard, dude. Replace it and try out your system again. Don't throw away a system for a $ 19 keyboard.
     
  9. Toonces

    Toonces

    I forgot to mention that I replaced the keyboard. Same problem.
     
  10. Toonces

    Toonces

    Yes I have a cable connection, so it's always on.
     
    #10     Jan 28, 2004