Mini Dock keyboard issue

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JohnC · #1 Post by **JohnC** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:45 pm

I have a few T43(2686-DGU) laptops that have external keyboard problems when connected to an IBM mini dock. When typing sometimes random numbers come up or it goes into a mode where it seems like the ctrl key is pressed. I've found that pressing the shift key gets you out of this "mode". This happens with both PS2 and USB keyboards. Using the laptop by itself is no problem. Connecting a USB keyboard directly to the laptop, no problem. But going through the dock I get wierd behavior. Anyone seen this?

Initial D · #2 Post by **Initial D** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:02 pm

Actually, I have experienced this on my port replicator. I have a USB->PS2 mouse and a PS2 keyboard connected to it. I have had these following things happen to me:

Any key I press on my keyboard will become capitalized just as if my caps lock key was enabled (although it's not). The moment I press the shift key it sometimes does/doesn't go away.

A random problem with the mouse is if I double click on something, it does not even open it. It acts as if I'm right clicking on it.

Another random problem with the mouse is when I left click, it'll sometimes act as if I'm selecting a bunch of files (or lines of text), but I'm only trying to click on one certain position/file.

davidspalding · #3 Post by **davidspalding** » Thu May 11, 2006 11:01 pm

I haven't had any such problems with my MiniDock, but I have had some "sticky" CTRL key issues ... probably because I'm using a near-20 year old Model M IBM keyboard.

JohnC · #4 Post by **JohnC** » Fri May 12, 2006 7:59 am

Thanks for the replies, yes Initial D it sounds like you've experienced the same behavior as me. It is the worst when I run a PS2 keyboard and mouse through the minidock. It will suddenly go crazy acting as if the Ctrl key is pressed. The keyboard will type in caps or place numbers between letters and the mouse will start highlighting things. Seems to be better when I switch both keyboard and mouse to USB. I've made sure all accessibility options are turned off in WinXP. Also if I hookup my KVM to the PS2 mouse port the laptop wont boot. Seems like there is a translation issue with the PS2 ports on the minidock I've opened a case with Lenovo. If anyone knows a solution let me know.

Sswiss · #5 Post by **Sswiss** » Fri May 12, 2006 3:33 pm

I am so glad other people are having the issue... I have myself an another user at our company that are experiencing the same issue. The external keyboard will act as described (random characters or a sticky SHIFT or CTRL key type behavior. Hiting SHIFT a few times seems to resolve the issue, but it comes back shortly, espcially if you use the arrow keys a lot.
Called IBM, but no idea on their part. The 2 machines this is happening on is a T43 2668-72U and a 1875-DLU. Both using the Port Replicator II and an external PS/2 keyboard and mouse connected to the port replicator.
Using the laptop keyboard it works just fine. I'm trying to locate a USB keyboard to try and then also another docking station to see if something went hawire in our port replicators. It's not the external keyboard as I tried several know working ones.
If anyone has any suggestions, please post them here as I suspect mroe people probably have this issue soon. Both our cases started about a week ago.
Rgds,
Yves

Phantom Gremlin · #6 Post by **Phantom Gremlin** » Fri May 12, 2006 9:52 pm

Do some more searching of these forums.

I had problems with PS/2 kbd & mouse & port replicator & KVM.

Someone's advice was to buy a Y cable that takes in both PS/2 cables from the KVM and converts them to 1 USB connector. I used that on my KVM cables to the replicator and it solved my keyboard problems.

Fry's has a bunch of these on their shelves, lots of different vendors. I chose mine based on package markings that said things like "works with KVM switches" and "works with Unix". Cost was about $13 or so.

This is the kind of thing I'm talking about:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... ?CatId=469

Look how many varieties ther are. For example read the following description:

PPA USB to PS/2 Cable Adaptor
This PPA Int’l USB PS/2 adapter also enables you to convert PS/2 KVM switch devices to USB with PC, IMAC or SUN platforms

Cheap enough to be worth a try. YMMV

JohnC · #7 Post by **JohnC** » Mon May 15, 2006 12:27 pm

Thanks Phantom. I already put in the PS2 to USB Y-cable and that workaround solved my KVM boot problem. Still having issues with the users that plug thier PS2 keyboard and mouse directly into the dock though. From what I'm hearing it happens mostly when using the arrow keys on the external keyboard. Solutions anyone?

buceyes · #8 Post by **buceyes** » Mon May 15, 2006 1:43 pm

I have configured multiple T43 ThinkPads in my company the past few weeks, new ones and upgrades to old ones. Almost every user has had the random "sticky" shift key issues throughout their work day. All are using external keyboards with the port replicator. Before I discovered it was a wide spread issue I had experimented with multiple solutions inluding new keyboards, both PS2 and USB, differnet port replicators even swapping the users hard drive out in to a new T43 right out of the box. The issue persisted and then I found other users experiencing the same thing. I finally tracked it down to the BIOS/Embedded controller.
It appears that BIOS versions 1.25 and 1.26 along with Embedded Controller version 1.05 is the issue. I found this after I did an update on a users T43 to the new BIOS and the next day he complained of the keyboard issue.
I downloaded and installed version 1.24 of the BIOS and 1.04 of the embedded controller software on all of the pc's (5 total) and the problems vanished in ALL cases.
I spoke with IBM again today to update my ticket with them and inform them of my findings. The rep spoke with someone on his end and said that they are aware of the problem and hope to have it fixed in the next BIOS release.
If this is an issue you can download:
Previous BIOS versions at http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-59097 (1YET59WW (1.24)) at the bottom of the page
Embedded Controller at http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-59121 (1YHT27WW (1.04) ) at the bottom of the page.

Hope that helps

Initial D · #9 Post by **Initial D** » Mon May 15, 2006 4:37 pm

Wow, thanks buceyes for the good news.

Depending on how much it keeps bothering me, I might just go back to those versions.

I'll be looking forward to new updates now.

jramos2003 · #10 Post by **jramos2003** » Tue May 16, 2006 8:07 am

Thanks guys... my support people kept looking at me cross-eyed and silently thinking it was an id 10-t problem... each time i'd call to report my keyboard issues.

And lots of thanks for digging up the previous BIOS versions that remove the issue. Saved me a bunch of time trying them out myself.

jramos2003 · #11 Post by **jramos2003** » Wed May 17, 2006 1:23 pm

Hey, once quick question...

Any idea what case number you had with IBM?

Our group out here wants specific info straight from IBM before addressing the issue on my notebook.

Hmmmm. Maybe I should go see what other docking station options are available for the T43P instead???

davidspalding · #12 Post by **davidspalding** » Thu May 18, 2006 4:17 pm

I love my Dock II ... but it's not cheap, and potential overkill if all you want is a dock with peripheral connections.

Sswiss · #13 Post by **Sswiss** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:45 am

Good News... IBM solved it with yesterday's 1.27 BIOS update:

BIOS Version: 1.27 (1YET62WW)
======================================================================
[IMPORTANT NOTICE]
Previously released BIOS 1YET60WW, 1YET61WW and EC 1.05(1YHT28WW)
combination may cause a spontaneous wrong key input when you key input
with an `external' PS/2 type keyboard.
- Numeric characters(2, 4, 6 and

will be inserted internittently
during cursor move with cursor keys.
- A keyboard behaves as if shift key depressed until a shift
key is pressed.
* You can only type only Uppercase characters. (Some keys
seem to keystrokes, because the shift cases are not defined)
* Multiple selection with cursor keys
* Numeric keypad will turn to cursor keys
If you encounter these cases, please update with BIOS 1YET62WW and
Embedded Controller 1.04 or 1.03.
(May 25, 2006)

So it was not our imagination... Just flashed mine - we'lll see if it actually did.

Sswiss · #14 Post by **Sswiss** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:31 am

No joy.... still getting nummeric characters once in a while when using the the arrow keys on an external PS/2 keyboard... I'll call IBM and see what they have to say... maybe I'll try downgrading to the 1.04 Embedded Controller too...

Paby · #15 Post by **Paby** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:09 am

You'll have to downgrade Embedded Controller Software as well to get the external keyboard problems vanish.

Initial D · #16 Post by **Initial D** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:59 am

A new Embedded Controller version (1.06) came out that works with the newest BIOS (1.27). Hope it works.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-59120

Version 1YHT29WW(1.06)
Note: This version of Embedded Controller Program will only work with BIOS Version 1.27 or later.

* (Fix) Previously released Embedded Controller 1.05(1YHT28WW) may cause a spontaneous wrong key input when you key input with an external PS/2 type keyboard.
o Numeric characters ( 2, 4, 6 and 8 ) will be inserted intermittently during cursor move with cursor keys.
o The keyboard behaves as if the shift lock is on until a shift key is pressed.
+ You can only type Uppercase characters. (Some keys seem to ignore keystrokes, because the shift cases are not defined)
+ Multiple selection with cursor keys
+ Numeric keypad defaults to cursor keys

furball4 · #17 Post by **furball4** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:51 pm

Installed the latest BIOS/Controller updates today and it appears to have fixed the issue for two users who were experiencing it regularly.

Mini Dock keyboard issue

Mini Dock keyboard issue

T43 "Sticky Keys" issues - BIOS Related

Great news!

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