15.6 Recoil - Keyboard Problems

[roadcone]

Hello Spyder,

Sorry not to update.

The Fn key problem was RMA'd, returned for repair in July and repaired (I believe they replaced the keyboard). And it has worked fine since. The cursor/arrow key issue is new - well, as of a couple of months ago. I've lived with it since but my patience (not good at the best of times) is running out so decided to try here with this issue.

Just to add something omitted from the previous post - I have also checked and turned off Sticky Keys (well, they were already off) and checked all the accessibility settings. Quite often I get double keys when typing (and I can touch-type - have been able to for 40 years). I put this down to aging fingers but it is happening very often and I am beginning to wonder if that is related.

Since posting I have also disabled the Control Centre at startup (took a while to find it) but that has not resolved it.

I am eligible for a W11 upgrade and I have wondered about trying that but going for a clean install to see if it is a settings or driver issue.

Clive

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hello Spyder,

Sorry not to update.

The Fn key problem was RMA'd, returned for repair in July and repaired (I believe they replaced the keyboard). And it has worked fine since. The cursor/arrow key issue is new - well, as of a couple of months ago. I've lived with it since but my patience (not good at the best of times) is running out so decided to try here with this issue.

Just to add something omitted from the previous post - I have also checked and turned off Sticky Keys (well, they were already off) and checked all the accessibility settings. Quite often I get double keys when typing (and I can touch-type - have been able to for 40 years). I put this down to aging fingers but it is happening very often and I am beginning to wonder if that is related.

Since posting I have also disabled the Control Centre at startup (took a while to find it) but that has not resolved it.

I am eligible for a W11 upgrade and I have wondered about trying that but going for a clean install to see if it is a settings or driver issue.

Clive

If you upgrade to windows 11 it won't work without suitable drivers which you'd have to get PCS to upload to your account, so just be aware of that.

A clean install is the best option I think. It does sound software related though I would guess.

What are you using for AntiVirus out of interest?

 

[roadcone]

My AntiVirus is Bitdefender. Been using it for some years on a variety of computers. If you think that may be the cause I'd be happy to temporarily remove it and fall back on Windows Defender.

My account shows no W11 specific drivers, saying, generically, that 'probably' the W10 drivers are fine.

When the Fn key did not work I could accept it could have been a faulty keyboard, but to have all four arrow keys play up does not sound like faulty hardware/keys but a software problem of some sort.

I use AutoHotKey for additional Shortcuts in Capture One RAW processing software (no, AHK isn't the culprit as I have disabled that at startup, run without it and the problem is still present). What I have done within AHK is mapped the arrow keys to themselves. I don't know, but to intercept keystrokes, AHK presumably sits between the keyboard and the system, interpreting keypresses and sending alternative codes where appropriate. I am now running with this arrangement to see if the problem is still present. As it is erratic it can take a while to manifest itself so it is too soon to know.

I have since had an email back from PCS Technical Support. They say that it is likely to be a hardware problem (not a view I am yet convinced by) and to return it for a replacement keyboard. The Christmas holiday buys me some time as I am in a dilemma now. Do I repair (not yet convinced), install W11 (need to check about drivers and Christmas will delay that) or return for a refund (they appear to have agreed that I can have a refund given that this is the second keyboard 'fault' and the first one arrived broken). And if I get a refund, what do I get in its stead? Dunno now.

Clive

 

[SpyderTracks]

My account shows no W11 specific drivers, saying, generically, that 'probably' the W10 drivers are fine.

They're not, that's the point. You'll need an updated control center, it won't work properly without it as it's the management driver.

I would agree though, I would have thought it's more likely software related at this point, clean install is the best first port of call, test it with a completely clean windows in notepad.

Just for testing, leave Bitdefender off and use Windows Defender. Bitdefender is one of the best paid for options, there's an argument there's no benefit to a paid option these days, but that's irrelevant, I haven't heard it causing any instability issues like other AV suites.

To be completely honest though, the Original Recoil was plagued with issues generally. TongFang were very new to the market and their quality control was absolutely dreadful quite frankly, we actually advised people against buying any TongFang chassis for a while.

It does appear they're upped their game though certainly with this generation. They are cheaper built chassis, but they cram in a lot of higher power components.

Personally, I'd always choose Clevo as they're very proven in the market, generally much higher build quality, just lesser powered.

 

[roadcone]

OK - thanks. Going to think now.

Clive