Solved Numeric lock on: keyboard only partial!

Hi I have a problem with an Advent Laptop 7113 running Vista.

I loaned this spare laptop to my 36 year old son whilst his Dell was away being repaired, now he has returned the laptop back to me with what to me seems to be an unusual problem: the numeric lock is permanently on, most of the toggles, F pads, enter and scroll are not functioning. It is impossible to get into the bios via F2 as this is also not functioning. I note that during the boot the numeric lock is off, and only comes on when current user is selected for windows. I have been into regedit, current user, control panel and keyboard and the keyboard setting is set to 2, and I have then reset it to 0, however when the machine is rebooted and you go back via regedit to check the setting for the current user, the keyboard has reset itself every time to 2!!!

I have also gone to default under regedit default, control panel, keyboard, and reset the default from the long numeric string to 0, and this remains constant, however, when I try to log back on as my normal password and current user, the numeric via Regedit is seen to have reset itself again to 2!

The entire keyboard was replaced about 5 months ago as it had a broken key pad.
I suppose the moral of the story is to not loan spare machines to sons, who seem to treat laptops like mobile phones: i.e. little respect and throw them all around the room!
I should also add that the combination Fn Numeric is also not functioning.

Using a mouse I am able to get into the front end screen and all of my files are intact, but with the numeric locked and no enter pad, then programs such as word are inoperable

Any thoughts appreciated, (hardware software problem?) before I kick laptop and older son into a tidy bin!!

Welcome to the forums. I have one plan of action,there may be others coming on this to help. Use this program , and check the events log and then press the start orb for results , and lets see if we can see what may have happened : http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/176785-vistaforums-sysinfo-tool.html

Hi

And thank you for your valued response. I'm struggling a bit as the laptop is not easily accessible with only a partial keyboard, so am having to transfer info from the laptop onto the network via my desktop via a 'peg'!

I have just uploaded the results from the system Ap, which hopefully will assist in any evaluation:

Enc:

Will await your response, and again many thanks for your valued assistance!

Ragamuffin

Go to your services, and on this one. Name: Human Interface Device Access , highlight it and make it start, then go and see if the keyboard will work. Post back. type “services.msc” in the Run box without quotes, if you can do any typing at all. There is another way to access that, in control panel, in admin tools, if you open it, you will see the services icon, and you can get there that way. Give this a shot and post back.

Hi

Tried that option, but keyboard remains only partially functional & numeric lock still on all the time.

Just about to hit the sack as here it is close midnight, but will log back on in the morning with a fresh mind and look at other options

Again: thanks for your effort.

Very much appreciated.

Ragamufin

K, gonna see what else is available to fix you, check email in morn. as someone else may post a fix .

This this registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\

Ya know, i was re reading your first post, when you went to the register, you used an admin account, try making a new admin account, i believe you can do this without keyboard , but, keep in mind you have a keyboard here. Start, all programs, accessories, ease of access, on screen keyboard. Use new admin account and see if this keyboard issue is on that account as well.

Couldn't sleep easy so hooked out of the sack and tried your last suggestion.

Very interesting result! If I open up a new admin account using the virtual keyboard, once established then the numeric lock is off but the keyboard stays the same, i.e. no space key no F keys and only certain keys upon the main qwerty.

If I log on to my old admin account and put up the virtual keyboard and hit the numeric lock it switches off the numeric lock on my old account but keyboard remains only partially operational as above.

This tells me that the problem is probably hardware rather than software! I think that whilst in my sons care (lack of!) the laptop has either been dropped and the ribbon connection to the main board has become partially disconnected, or more likely his daft wife has knocked a coffee across the keyboard and screwed it!!

Later this morning I will remove the keyboard (which is virtually new) and investigate: likely to find that everything has been thrown at it! The power pack for the machine came back screwed, and so nothing would surprise me!

Also if you think about it, the F2 key into the Bios is not working during boot up, so I do think that the keyboard problem is likely hardware!

Will advise when I have chance to investigate further.

Sherlock Holmes P.C. investigator! grins

Hello Ragamuffin and welcome to the forums

Have you got a spare USB keyboard that you could use? If you do, then plug it in and see if it functions correctly This will establish whether the fault is caused by hardware or software

Tom

Hi Guys

Well it looks as I suspected! I have taken out the keyboard and removed the ribbon connection, then reconnected without success.

On the right hand side inner keyboard-well, of what was a brand new replacement keyboard, right across the ram memory; an ominous brown liquid stain, sticky to touch: looks like spilled coffee: you can see where the liquid has spread across the inner casing, and across the metal!!

We are hosting my son and his "worse half" for dinner today: 'an English Roast, and it won't be the only thing that will get roasted!!

Can I thank you guys and gals for your valued input on this: VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, but at the end of the day almost certainly sticky fingers have been at work here, and I'm certain who was responsible!

So its back to my trusty brand new Desk Top 3 Core I5 with tried and well tested XP Pro. At least some of us know the true value of careful computer usage, and respect for equipment.

Again, my grateful thanks to all.

Take care now.

Ragamuffin

P.S.

And on this day in the UK which is Remembrance Sunday can I point you to the following link which has a special place in my heart for both our lost British & American Boys and Girls!:_

In keeping the spirit of Remembrance week.

Something that I don't normally shout about.

I wrote, composed and recorded the following in 2002:-

"Northern Ireland, Iraqi, Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, and now Libya!

Perhaps one day "Ol' Johnnie Blue might be allowed to sleep in peace"..... but I doubt it?"

http://ragamuffin.biz/film/johnnieblue.wmv

Take care now.

Ragamuffin

Morning, i just got my first cup of coffee and and reading your results , glad i was able to assist you in getting to the bottom of the issue, but, regret hearing of the news of coffee stains, ouch !!! Thanks also for the posting of Remembrance Week article you wrote, Good luck and hope you have a good day. Come back to read the tutorials posted by Brink in this forum or to join in assisting others.

Yeah that wasn't a good thing to do.