[littlebit35]

I am working on an HP Pavilion model series zv6000 notebook running XP Home Edition. When I turn on the computer, I get an incessant loud beeping. Sometimes the beeping stops sometimes it just keeps going. Sometimes it doesn't happen at all. The startup process gets stuck with the horrible noise.
When I get the computer started, the mouse seems to work correctly, but it is impossible to type anything without getting lots of 6's in between anything typed. Also 6666's also "type" in when no one is touching the keyboard at all. The sixes appear on both word documents and address bars on browsers. Also the computer boops (beeps) intermittently as I move the mouse, sometimes with the clicks of the mouse, sometimes randomly.

I tried system restore, and though some problems seem to have been partially corrected the "typing" error continues as the the intermittent beeping and the beeping at startup.
Help!

[CyberSouthern]

It's a stuck key

[Chris A]

Bet it is the 6 key

[littlebit35]

I wish. Sure acts like it, but the problem continues to occur when the key is popped off of the keyboard. I'm wondering at this point if the keyboard needs replacing. The mouse continues booping even when nothing on the keyboard is being touched.

I was wondering if there were some virus out there which is causing the problem, but I think you are right about the stuck key idea, except that I think there is probably a problem with her keyboard. I am wondering if contacts are dirty.

[aka Brett]

Originally Posted by littlebit35

I wish. Sure acts like it, but the problem continues to occur when the key is popped off of the keyboard. I'm wondering at this point if the keyboard needs replacing. The mouse continues booping even when nothing on the keyboard is being touched.

I was wondering if there were some virus out there which is causing the problem, but I think you are right about the stuck key idea, except that I think there is probably a problem with her keyboard. I am wondering if contacts are dirty.

If it were merely 666 then I would be concerned
Explain mouse booping more in detail

[TheOutcaste]

Doesn't take much of a spill with some membrane type keyboards to cause a "stuck key". Not too hard to clean, unless the keyboard assembly is riveted together.

The "mouse booping" just means the buffer is full so movements aren't being stored. Depending on the system the keyboard and mouse may be sharing a buffer, or it's just that the stuck key is causing so many interrupts that it's preventing the mouse driver from processing the buffer fast enough.

Not much you can do but repair, replace, or use an external and disable the built-in keyboard if the BIOS has that option.

[CyberSouthern]

Even with the key popped out its still prob a stuck key. Try to disable the KB and connect an external KB and see if this resolves your issue.

[CyberSouthern]

I think you're on to something

[CyberSouthern]

Well put "TheOutcaste"

[littlebit35]

Takes me forever to get around to things. Being as how in someways I am so green, I know I am not so sure I understand what the buffer is though I assume it is a software. As for the memory on that machine, well what can I say -- 2 each 128s for a grand total of 256 mgs. Upgradable to 2 gigs. That should give you some idea of the age of the machine. She didn't have any of her original software, and never knew she should backed it up, and couldn't tell me what happened before the 66666 problem started! (I'm refraining from making the 666 joke)

I still consider myself too green at this point, so all the work I do is for friends, and cost free -- to them. If some part is required to correct the problem, I let them know what the part will cost. Usually they opt to buy a new computer. I usually ask if they will give me their old one. Most of the time they do. That way I can learn at no cost to anyone, and frequently get a dead machine for free in the process.

In my client's case, just to make her computer reasonably useful she would have needed to replace the keyboard and buy also 2 gigs of memory. She is already in for $100 bucks just for the memory alone, so she will probably replace the computer all together.

I didn't attempt to clean off the contacts beneath the key, but it might be worth a try. Would you recommend cleaning with alcohol or is there a better cleaner for the contact points?

Can I conclude that the hardware issue is likely causing the software, i.e. buffering interference?

[lightenrod]

OK, littlebit35, this is a really long shot on the repeating 6666 problem.

Has this computer ever been on a wireless keyboard? I once read about a computer that would repeat a certain letter and it was eventually discovered that the signals were coming from a wireless keyboard stored in a closet that had something resting on the "6666" key. The signals could come from a neighbor if it's in apartment living.

Although 2 gigs of RAM would be nice, just bumping it up ti 512 mb's would make a noticable difference.

[littlebit35]

After I bumped my HP tower from 1 to 3, it was "competing" with my iMac Intel with only 1. I can't have this, so I bought a Macbook (snow leopard) upgraded it to 4, so I can upgrade the iMac Intel to 3 and install the upgrade package so both Macs will have the same OS.

She's running 512 now (on a pc) and I swear I could run around the block five times before it gets where I want it to go! She'll probably decide to replace the computer anyway.

Oh yeah, and mucho 10-Q (Sesame Street) for the wireless keyboard info. When I speak with her next, I'll find out. I know she has a dock and another keyboard. I don't know if the keyboard is wireless though!