Thinkpads Forum

I just replaced my keyboard (because the decals were wearing off the keycaps) and while I was testing the new keyboard, I noticed that if I hit the keys really quickly, not typing but just hitting sequential keys quickly (i.e. .,mnb.,mnb or asdfasdf) the keyboard beeps in protest every dozen or so keystrokes, irregularly.

Is this a normal response to overflowing the keyboard buffer? Or, a problem in the new keyboard?


Such a shame, in the days of the IBM/AT a dye sublimation keyboard was the sign of a good computer, and decals were the sign of a manufacturer cutting costs. Nowadays, I think they ALL use decals. Sure would love a set of dye-sub keycaps!

That's perfectly normal, the beep is provocated by Windows Beep Service, you can disable the annoying beep under Device Manager -> See non plug & plug devices, and find beep on System Resources, just disable it. Works like a charm.

If you don't see it listed you may need to 'show hidden devices'. Its under the view menu in the device manager (under xpp at least).

BEEP SERVICE?! ROFL! I couldn't believe that stuff was in there, I thought for sure you guys were pulling my leg.

Windows has gotten to be a circus clown car; They just keep pouring out, one after the other. (sigh)

Thanks for the reality check. Since the beeps are harmless, I'm going to let them be. No doubt the same beep service is a critical part of the internal China Syndrome Detector or yet another vital feature.<G>

xtr wrote:That's perfectly normal, the beep is provocated by Windows Beep Service, you can disable the annoying beep under Device Manager -> See non plug & plug devices, and find beep on System Resources, just disable it. Works like a charm.

This is great news! I have been leaving my machine muted to get around the noise.

However, why don't I hear this beep on my other laptops and computers? ThinkPad keyboards have been beeping at me since I bought my first 7xx series, even when running OS's like DOS. I do not experience this "audio assault" with other laptops (HP's, Dell's, etc.).

Also - I think the Windows Beep service is there for other applications that can only beep (like DOS apps). Probably no big loss to anyone, but I think is does serve a purpose.

Everything in there serves a purpose. Like the webcam support, for the optional webcam that I didn't order, don't have, but can't delete. And the "Touchscreen" handwriting support, in case somehow my laptop becomes one of those touchpad machines. I keep disabling that stuff, and updates keep re-enabling it every couple of months.

Yeah, a purpose for everything: Sloppy programming, sloppy programmers, cheap management with no pride in their product. Sadly not unique to Lenovo.

This is probably due to the poor keyboard (hardware or driver?) Lenovo is using. Every time you hit more keys at once above a certain "limit" it beeps. This can even happen if you hit 3 certain keys. This is a terrible thing if you are a gamer, because you are bound to press several keys at once.
If you try to find out when it beeps you can find some constellations that are really not that uncommon, especially if you use some arrow keys as well.

My old Dell didn't have that issue.