Troubleshooting my keyboard problem

GTMelo · Nov 10, 2017

Hello guys,

I've been having keyboard problems for over a year now and I would like your help.

So, around July/2016 I got a strix tactic pro mechanical keyboard as a gift and I used it for around 2 mounts until it started duplicating keys, i.e. when I pressed some keys once it typed it two or three times so I went to the store and after two weeks they gave me a store credit and I got a gskill KM780 RGB.

Around two to three mounths it started doing the same thing and after a week or some keys didn't change to some colors, i.e. I changed all keys to green and some keys where orange other didn't turn on at all and when my pc was "asleep" some random keys started blinking some blue, some red, some greed randomly so I went back to the store for repair and they gave me a new one, same model.

Fast Forward to now, same problem as before, this time I contacted gskill and they aproved my RMA so I sent it to them and I'm waiting for a response.

My question is, is it possible that my mobo is frying the keyboards by usb since it's the third
keyboard and the problem is almost the same every time ?

TL;DR;
I had three key boards, a Asus Strix Tatic Pro and two GSkill KM780 RGB and all of them after around two months of use started typing two or three letters when I only press the key once, is it possible that my motherboard is frying the keyboards?

Ralston18 · Nov 10, 2017

Do the keyboards work correctly on other computers? Need to narrow down the problem to keyboard or computer.

Do you eat or drink while typing? Do any children use the keyboards?

What about your typing style? For the most part many keyboards just do not hold up well even if normally used. If you are a hard typist or fast gamer then the keyboards may simply be giving out. Not designed to last.

As for the keys that begin "typing" two or three letters with one key press. Are they always the same keys? Or in the same general location on the keyboard?

GTMelo · Nov 10, 2017

Ralston18 :

So, I only tryed this last one, but when I plugged it in my friends PC, at the beginning it worked fine but about 1/2 minutes in it started duplicating keys.

I do eat at my desk but I always push my keyboard deep in to the desk to get room for the plate but I do smoke when I'm in the PC and some times tabaco get in the keyboard (not in the actual PCB but the metal plated protection) and no children used the keyboard.

The keyboard main use is gamming (FPS mostly and some time MMORPGs like WoW) but I do occasionally program in it when I work from home, the strange thing is I do not recall W, A, S, D ever duplicating, some times E. F, C, X, Z, M, I and O where the most commun to duplicate (never the number row witch I use very frequently as well). Abut the typing, I'm probably not the best judge but I do not think I type hard.

The commun letter that duplicated surly in all 3 keyboards was F, U and E I'm not sure of others, but I do remember that in the 3 keyboards when they started duplicating programming was a nightmare.

Thank you for you time

Ralston18 · Nov 10, 2017

USB plug correct?

Do you happen to use the keyboard's USB 2.0 port and/or the stereo pass-through ports?

The duplicating keys seem to favor the left side of the keyboard. Very sure that you would spot some problem that would be related to macros with respect to the keyboard.

Your original question was about the "motherboard frying the keys".

Starting to think that your computer's USB port may be doing just that. Either on its own or in conjunction with other ports (stereo and USB) on the keyboard - especially if those ports are being used.

Because the problem appeared when the keyboard was plugged into your friend's PC and appeared after what I would consider some "warm up" that to me is a possible sign of damage inside the keyboard.

And being the third keyboard the trail all leads back to the motherboard and its USB ports.

Try a couple of other keyboards that are not USB. PS/2 and/or wireless if possible. If those keyboards do not start duplicating key presses then the problem again points to a USB port issue.

Some short or over voltage or current perhaps within the USB port(s) you have been using.

End result is damage inside the keyboard and some particular components.

May be off-line for a couple of days and did not wish to leave things "hanging". Will check another thing or two if circumstances permit.

And, in the meantime, someone somewhere may spot some error of omission or commission on my part. And offer other suggestions. Fine with me.

GTMelo · Nov 10, 2017

Ralston18 :

The USB 2.0 cable and stereo pass-through where connected but rarely used since my speaker are plugged directly to my screen and I have a USB hub on my desk.

But now that you bring the stereo pass-through, my screen (bought in august and in witch the speakers where connected) started showing some wired horizontal lines when I turned it on so I RMAed it and before I had that screen I had a jack 3.5 splitter in which I had connected the speakers and the keyboards pass-through.

The speakers cost me around 10€ and are USB powered, I have them since I bought the PC, is it possible that the speakers are damaging the things they connect to? (the strix keyboard didn't have stereo pass-throw that I remember)

About the keyboard, since I RMAed my GSkill keyboard I bought a cheap one as a temporary replacement, it's USB but I'll try and get a wireless one. The strange thing is I had a membrane keyboard four about 1 - 2 years before buying the 1st mechanical keyboard and it never duplicated keys.

P.S. - If I buy a USB voltmeter out of ebay I should be able to find if the motherboard USB ports are overcharging the right?

Once again, thank you for your time and patience.

Ralston18 · Nov 12, 2017

Yes, you can measure voltages and currents for diagnostic purposes.

Must be done correctly plus you need an accurate meter plus a definitive source for what the questioned voltage or current should be.

The following links provide an overview that should be helpful:

https://www.extremetech.com/computing/115251-how-usb-charging-works-or-how-to-avoid-blowing-up-your-smartphone

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-output-voltage-and-current-of-a-laptop-USB-port

Search and read other such links until you feel that you can make measurements that are accurate and meaningful.

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Troubleshooting my keyboard problem

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