Laptop computer acts like CTRL button is pushed down all the time

May 26, 2009 12:28 PM

My old laptop computer is acting funky; for extended periods of time it will act like the CTRL key is pressed down, which makes it really difficult to do anything that requires anything more than clicking (no typing can be done basically because the CTRL keys are shortcut commands). I can't figure out what's wrong or how to deactivate the laptop computer. Please help!

The situation:
My old laptop computer is acting funky; for extended periods of time it will act like the CTRL key is pressed down, which makes it really difficult to do anything that requires anything more than clicking (no typing can be done basically because the CTRL keys are shortcut commands). I've tried googling a solution and come up with nothing that sounds close except something like the CTRL sticky key is activated. But it seems to just be randomly broken. For about a week my computer had been acting like this and I just stopped using it (instead opting to use another computer). Then this weekend, I logged onto the broken computer to copy a file I needed and it worked fine throughout the weekend! Then I booted up today and it was broke (doing the CTRL thing) again.

I can't seem to find a correlation as to what's going wrong. I didn't do anything to fix it last time, I just started not using the computer and then logged on it was working fine.

Solutions/troubleshooting I've tried with no results:
+ I've ran multiple virus scans and spyware scans with nothing notable in the results or any changes afterwards.
+ I've tried it with and without the external keyboard (I usually use a USB full keyboard on this computer. I also use the same USB keyboard on other computers with no problems.)
+ I've cleaned the hell out of both keyboards with a toothbrush and canned air
+ I've tried deactivating sticky keys but I don't have the Windows XP Accessibility options installed (for some bad reason long ago, I removed this to save memory space)... I also don't have my XP disk -- this is an old "Emachines" laptop that just gave you a 'startup' disc and not the actual program files.
+ I've also tried the Emachines start up disc and it doesn't have the accessibility option files I thought I needed... but as I said before, I don't really think this is a sticky key issue because it happens randomly, I'm starting to think it's a hardware failure issue. But I could be wrong.

My question:
+ Has anyone else heard of this? Is there anyway to fix this?
+ Is there a way to deactivate the factory installed laptop keyboard completely? (So that I can just use the USB keyboard that I know works on other computers without a problem)

Thanks for any help or advice you can offer! I'm at my whits end!

posted by jkl345 to computers & internet (8 comments total)

If there is no option in the bios of the system the other option is to physically take keyboard out of the machine.
posted by Rubbstone at 12:39 PM on May 26

It sounds like something may be gunking up your CTRL key. I got similar--although infinitely worse--behaviour from a laptop that had tea poured all over a keyboard. Once the keyboard had been removed and replaced, it worked swimingly.

I'd suggest physically taking out the keyboard, as Rubbstone. You might even be able to find an exact replacement for the keyboard on eBay, so keep all of the parts. It will generally required loosening certain screws, then prying the keyboard up and disconnecting it--all pretty easy. If you google with the make of your laptop, or even the general manufacturer, you may get a more detailed set of instructions.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 1:10 PM on May 26

I can't help wondering if this is related to what is a function key combination that sometimes gets turned on, on IBM laptops that I use. in fact, it happened last week and I wasn't able to type the administrator's password correctly which lead to me having to re-image the laptop! usually what happens is that the function key combination got pressed somehow and then, typing any key on the right side of the laptop keyboard began resulting in the small subscript characters being displayed...

if this is the case, I think that the Shift + NumLk toggles it off and on. I hope that this helps, or gets you headed in the right direction anyway. good luck.
posted by rxbert at 1:12 PM on May 26

You didn't say what result you had with the external keyboard, although the later question seems to point to External USB keyboard working.
If that's the case , your intermittent problem is the old laptop keyboard. If cleaning doesn't work , then get a replacement or just plug in the external.
The ribbon cable that attaches the laptop keyboard to the laptop motherboard could be loose. And if you want to disconnect the laptop keyboard , you may do it there.
posted by Agamenticus at 1:13 PM on May 26

This is a complete shot in the dark and I'm sure you've tried this: sometimes my computer thinks the ALT or CTRL key is pressed down when in fact it's not. Pushing the suspect button (both of them) on the keyboard fixes it for me. Basically the OS thinks the button is "stuck" down. Toggling the button should reset the correct bit.

The true test is booting a Live CD of some-sort, like Knoppix, and seeing how it works. If the problem still persists in knoppix, it points to a hardware problem of some sort. Although I really can't see how that is if the USB keyboard exhibits the same problem.

Good luck.
posted by teabag at 1:14 PM on May 26

My laptop did this after being splashed with a tablespoon of coffee. It was repaired by replacing the keyboard. In my case, a USB keyboard didn't help as it did not disable the keyboard on the laptop.
posted by wg at 1:19 PM on May 26

Exactly. wg has the answer to Agamenticus' follow up question.

teabag, good suggestion. I did try that several times because I've seen (as you have) that it can sometimes work. But after pounding on it like a crazed monkey as in this fratboy reenactment of the famous similar Zoolander computer scene shows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgBnz5y6hmg
... it didn't make a difference.

I think I'm going to try and crack it open as you guys suggest (after I double check the bios... I'm pretty sure I already combed that over at least twice for the keyboard settings though)

Thanks! If anyone else has suggestions, please let me know.
posted by jkl345 at 2:04 PM on May 26

Totally off-the-wall, but do you have sticky keys enabled or had some weird program that mucked up the registry and "randomly" enables 'sticky keys'?
posted by porpoise at 2:58 PM on May 26