Keyboard Problem

[Mark Carver]

My keyboard is not typing th letter "e". Whether it's a capitalized or not. I have to use the on-screen keyboard from Windows 7 in order to type the "e". Only affected key is the "e'. The keyboard is a Merc Stealth, of which I love due to the backlite keys.

I've downloaded the latest driver from their website and re-installed the driver, changed usb ports and still no go.

Any other suggestions?

[Can_of_corn]

Y0u c0uld just us3 t3h thr33!!11! :p

Is it possible that the key is physically damaged somehow? Is the keyboard under warranty?

You could try resetting the shortcuts:
http://wordprocessing.about.com/cs/quicktips/qt/Resetkey.htm

I don't think it will work but there is a chance.


You might also try remapping a key you do not currently use, but that will slow your typing down for a while as you relearn. I have not used windows 7 so I am afraid I can't give you a how to.

[RShack]

Can you get the key-top off?
Might there be some gunk under there, keeping it from getting pressed all the way down?
Do you have any canned air that you can blow in there to dislodge any gunk that's in there?

[Flip217]

Can you just go all lipogram? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipogram)

(Sorry, I guess that's not actually much help. RShack's advice sounds better)

[srock]

Can you get the key-top off?
Might there be some gunk under there, keeping it from getting pressed all the way down?
Do you have any canned air that you can blow in there to dislodge any gunk that's in there?

Can of air is definitely your first line of defense. Then taking it apart.

If you can get it apart, clean the insides with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol.

[scOtt]

I've had some experience with this... cleaning probably isn't what's wrong. If you can open it up, and if you have a soldering iron, you could resolder the actual switch back onto the circuit board. Not the key but the actual switch.

If you get that far and it doesn't work... you could swap a less needed switch for the "e". F12 or something. A key you never use.

Or you could just spend 12 bucks and get a new keyboard... just sayin'...

[Mark Carver]

I've had some experience with this... cleaning probably isn't what's wrong. If you can open it up, and if you have a soldering iron, you could resolder the actual switch back onto the circuit board. Not the key but the actual switch.

If you get that far and it doesn't work... you could swap a less needed switch for the "e". F12 or something. A key you never use.

Or you could just spend 12 bucks and get a new keyboard... just sayin'...

The keyboard has back-lit keys (and is a bit pricey). My computer is in a room in the house where I keep the room dark, day and night which allows me not needing a light in my computer area. It makes life so much better and that is the reason I settled for this particular keyboard. I've gone through 3 back-lit keyboards to find the perfect one for me, which was the one that is acting up.

I've gone back to one of the other back-lit keyboards in the mean time and I will try and track down the problem with suggestions mentioned later. Hopefully its just a sticky key that can be fixed.