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swalladge

Member

Registered: 2013-10-22

Posts: 32

[solved] keyboard dropping out

Hi,

I've been having intermittent problems with my keyboard for ages now (off and
on since I first setup my computer). I had posted here a while back about a similar
problem which is probably related.

Anyway, what happens is I'm using my computer normally, when the keyboard stops
responding. By not responding I mean pressing buttons on the keyboard does
nothing, even capslock-like keys don't toggle on-keyboard indicator lights, and
the computer acts as though the keyboard is still there, with whatever keys
pressed at the time it stopped responded still held down. I have to
unplug/plugin the keyboard for it to start working again.

More info:

- It is random and intermittent. It could freeze 2+ times in a row with a few
  seconds in between, or go a few weeks without problems (which is making it
  difficult to debug).

- Nothing shows up on dmesg, the journal, or xorg logs. (as far as the computer
  is concerned, the keyboard is still plugged in and operational.

- I've tried experimenting with usb-related settings in the bios to no avail.

- Tested with two different usb keyboards, one of which is usually attached to
  another computer, with no freezes, so it's not likely the keyboard's problem.

- My computer reboots itself 9/10 times after I shutdown - maybe related? (None
  of the suggested solutions to that will work for me either... I suspect buggy
  motherboard.)

- I use i3, usually with xcape for overloading capslock to ctrl and esc, with
  custom key repeat settings (xset), and custom options with setxkbmap, but I've
  had the freeze happen after unplugging/replugging the keyboard (so it's
  running on default settings).

- With one of my keyboards (the one I usually use - a das model S), a couple of
  the keys sometimes don't work (again, randomly, but always same keys) - but
  that may be related to dust/dirt getting in the switch...

- Before you suggest upgrading the bios/firmware on the motherboard, it's a
  Gigabyte (GA-Z87X-UD4H I believe) motherboard which hasn't had a bios
  update for 2 years now, and the last update is labelled beta (haven't been
  game enough to install that yet).

I'm interested to hear some other opinions on this. Does it sound like the
motherboard is buggy? Some X11 config conflicting with something? BIOS settings
not right? Something else altogether? Ideas for debugging this?

Thanks.

Last edited by swalladge (2016-07-26 01:40:47)

drcouzelis

Member

From: Connecticut, USA

Registered: 2009-11-09

Posts: 4,092

Website

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

Did you setup any powermanagement on the laptop, such as USB autosuspend?

That caused me "drop out" issues with a USB mouse once. That's the only idea I have.

- Tested with two different usb keyboards, one of which is usually attached to
  another computer, with no freezes, so it's not likely the keyboard's problem.

I'm confused. If you plug in three keyboards, two of which have no issues, doesn't that suggest that there's a problem with the third one that DOES have an issue?

swalladge

Member

Registered: 2013-10-22

Posts: 32

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

No - in fact I have no files under '/etc/udev/rules.d/'. (It's a desktop computer by the way.)

I'm confused. If you plug in three keyboards, two of which have no issues, doesn't that suggest that there's a problem with the third one that DOES have an issue?

Sorry, I wasn't very clear there. What I mean is that I have two keyboards (a daskeyboard I use all the time, and a spare for testing). I know the spare works, since it is in use on another computer while I don't need it (with no problems).

swalladge

Member

Registered: 2013-10-22

Posts: 32

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

Ok update: after some more serious debugging I managed to get the keyboard to freeze while in grub, as well as a freeze while running a Ubuntu 16.04 live cd.
Therefore, it seems it's hardware related?

Has anyone else ever experienced the same sort of problem? I'm wondering because it's looking like I'll have to just get a new motherboard...

Texbrew

Member

From: The Lone Star State

Registered: 2016-02-09

Posts: 580

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

I saw nothing in your thread to rule out a faulty keyboard, unless I missed something. I think before buying a new motherboard I would try the beta release BIOS update, if there's no cost for it.

Caveat: I have no experience with BIOS updates, my thinking is replacing the motherboard is a drastic and costly step.

tex

swalladge

Member

Registered: 2013-10-22

Posts: 32

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

Ok, that's probably a good idea - nothing to lose I guess.

I saw nothing in your thread to rule out a faulty keyboard, unless I missed something.

But I get it freeze with two totally different usb keyboards - one of which is usually used on another computer with no problems whatsoever.

Texbrew

Member

From: The Lone Star State

Registered: 2016-02-09

Posts: 580

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

But I get it freeze with two totally different usb keyboards - one of which is usually used on another computer with no problems whatsoever.

OK, sorry I missed that. Yes, without any experience with BIOS updates, my thinking is "nothing to lose". If that goes wrong, then you can decide on replacing the motherboard.

Cheers and good luck!

tex

swalladge

Member

Registered: 2013-10-22

Posts: 32

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

Hehe just updated - now I get the 'black screen with blinking cursor' when I try to boot from the drive...

Texbrew

Member

From: The Lone Star State

Registered: 2016-02-09

Posts: 580

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

Oh no, Mate... Have you tried a live install media (CD/DVD/USB)?

Your instincts were right in not trusting a beta update, it seems. Is there any hope of rolling back to the old BIOS?

tex

swalladge

Member

Registered: 2013-10-22

Posts: 32

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

Yeah I can still get into the BIOS - I'm attempting to re-setup the bootloader through the livecd now. (hopefully it's just been unregistered or something due to upgrading the bios...)

Texbrew

Member

From: The Lone Star State

Registered: 2016-02-09

Posts: 580

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

(hopefully it's just been unregistered or something due to upgrading the bios...)

I'm afraid I don't really understand what that means. But if you get normal operation with a live media, maybe you will be able to recover from whatever caused the black screen/blinking cursor without having to re-install everything (fingers crossed).

Good luck.

tex

swalladge

Member

Registered: 2013-10-22

Posts: 32

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

Yep managed to get it going again - just had to chroot in and re installed grub. Apparently with efi or uefi, when something changes at the hardware level something doesn't match up between the bootloader installed and the motherboard so it won't let it boot. Or something like that; not really sure and never got around to finding out why...

Here's hoping the keyboard issues will disappear!

mich41

Member

Registered: 2012-06-22

Posts: 796

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

]- With one of my keyboards (the one I usually use - a das model S), a couple of
  the keys sometimes don't work (again, randomly, but always same keys) - but
  that may be related to dust/dirt getting in the switch...

If this doesn't happen on the other machine, the only thing I could possibly think of is shitty PSU.

Freezing might be a PSU thing too so maybe try externally powered USB hub. I don't think people normally have such problems with Intel USB controllers.

Texbrew

Member

From: The Lone Star State

Registered: 2016-02-09

Posts: 580

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

As we say in Texas, "Whew"! (tex wipes his brow).

I hope that resolves your keboard troubles.

Cheers!

tex

swalladge

Member

Registered: 2013-10-22

Posts: 32

Re: [solved] keyboard dropping out

@texbrew, thanks.   So far hasn't frozen/dropped out again, so here's hoping! It also seems to have fixed my other problem where the computer reboots instead of shutting down....

@mich41, didn't think of that - thanks for the suggestion. I would say it's unlikely though, seeing as it's a decent psu and only 2 years old. Not sure how to test that though.