Problem with left/right arrow keys

Hello:

I initially posted this problem on the Hardware forum, but nobody came forward. Accordingly I am hoping someone with a software background might be able offer me solution.

The problem is that my right and left arrow keys are not working properly. After a lot of tapping, they eventually do respond. However, they are no so unreliable I have to use the mouse to move my cursor anywhere. Response seems to be very intermittent.

None of the other keys on the keybard are affected. The up/down keys are working fine, as are the backspace and delete keys. I did try blasting compressed air under them, but that didn't work at all.

My machine is an MDG VisionBook, and the op system is XP.

As I say, if someone knows what the problem is here, I sure would appreciate a response. In my 25 years of computering, I have never encountered a problem like this! it is very annoying not to be able to use the left/right arrow keys, believe me!

Thank you,
Robert

 

Have you at least tried to use another keyboard ? this would then tell you whether its the keyboard or not that is causing the problem .....

 

Thank you for replying telecom69, I appreciate it:

However, my machine is a laptop, which brings up a few more problems.

In this case,what is involved testing another keyboard? Can I just plug it into a USB port?

Can I then turn off the laptop keyboard? In that case does the other keyboard automatically kick in?

 

Yes you can plug one in to a usb port and windows will recognize it and you can use it straight away ...there may also be little round ps2 socket as well so you could if you prefer use a keyboard with that type of connection ....if you have the manual for your computer you could look in that for confirmation....