T41 External PS2 Keyboard Problem

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sulmona · #1 Post by **sulmona** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:18 am

We have IBM T41 laptops on site displaying the following problem:
When docked with a PS2 Keyboard (HP model) attached, the keyboard starts throwing stray characters after the client types for awhile. If a USB keyboard is attached, there are no issues (so far). Does anyone have any insight into WHY this might be happening? So far, IBM has been of no assistance and suggested we reimage all our machines. We have reloaded touchpad drivers, keyboard drivers and updated the BIOS. We have swapped out docking stations and swapped hard drives into other units eliminating the system board as the culprit.

Could it be something as simple as IBM not talking to HP keyboards? Is an IBM external PS2 keyboard the only type that will work?
Thank you.

mattfromomaha · #2 Post by **mattfromomaha** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:24 am

Couple questions:
Is this happenning with multiple HP keyboards?
Are these HP keyboards all the same model?

When you tried the USB keyboad, did you plug it into the dock or into the ThinkPad directly?

Also, do you have a PS2 to USB adapter you could try to use the PS2 keyboard in the dock's USB port?

sulmona · #3 Post by **sulmona** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:40 am

Yes, this has been happening with multiple HP keyboards and I do believe they were the same model.
When you tried the USB keyboad, did you plug it into the dock or into the ThinkPad directly?

Currently, the USB keyboard we're testing is connected directly into the laptop.

Also, do you have a PS2 to USB adapter you could try to use the PS2 keyboard in the dock's USB port?

Nope. Don't have this type of adapter to try.

redsi · #4 Post by **redsi** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:08 pm

Thanks...I have a similar problem. The screen will display the same character or symbol on a text field continously (just like hold a key on the keyboard); sometimes, the keyboard will no respond at all.

I have a PS2->USB adapter (Y type, it's for PS2 mouse & keboard). It is an IBM keyboard (from tiger direct).

I don't know why this happen to my T40...now I am not alone.

sulmona · #5 Post by **sulmona** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:48 pm

I located an external (old) IBM keyboard with a PS2 adapter. Interestingly enough, the testing with this one has gone fine. Looks like there may be some proprietary issues with IBM and HP keyboards. IBM left me voicemail that any standard PS2 keyboard should work. Surprise IBM, they DO NOT.

mattfromomaha · #6 Post by **mattfromomaha** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:30 am

[quote="sulmona"]Yes, this has been happening with multiple HP keyboards and I do believe they were the same model.
Currently, the USB keyboard we're testing is connected directly into the laptop.

Can you try a different model of HP keyboard or perhaps a non-HP/non-IBM keyboard and see what happens?

Can you try connecting the USB keyboard through the dock?