Recoil II - keys sticking when pressed while gaming

[Gazz]

I ordered a Recoil II and it arrived yesterday. The device is a huge step up from my previous 8 year old laptop, also from PC Specialist (Optimus 2 from 2011!).

The screen is amazing, I've not used it enough yet to form a final conclusion on how good the complete package is, however I'm having a few problems with the mechanical keyboard. When touch typing, there's no problem at all, but when holding W to run forward in CS:GO / Quake Campions etc... the W sticks down so doesn't pop-up immediately after letting go. This seems to be the same for some of the other keys around that area on the keyboard. This means if I'm in a firefight and want to strafe or stop running forward, the W key sticking means my character keeps running forward for a second or 2 after I've let go of the key. Very frustrating.

I've never had this problem before with other keyboards, and I've tried to adjust how much pressure I use but that's not solved the problem either (so I don't think it's my typing style...).

I imagine it's because it's brand new and needs to be worn in a little, but just checking if anyone else has come across the same problem, and if so, did it sort itself out eventually?

 

[ubuysa]

I do seem to remember someone else with a similar issue some months ago, but I can't remember if it was Recoil II. MY best suggestion is that you phone PCS and talk this through with them.

 

[G0975]

Hi there bud,

I've recently received a brand new Recoil II RTX and I have not experienced what you have. Is the key itself physically sticking down when depressed? Or is it in-game following the same keystroke for a couple of seconds?

 

[Gazz]

The key is physically sticking down - I've played with it a bit more and it seems to only happen once the keyboard has warmed up. I'll continue to use it over the next few days and see how it progresses. It didn't seem as bad last night compared to Monday night / day 1 of usage. We shall see

 

[Gazz]

A quick update, I got fed up trying to play games this-evening (Apex Legends and Quake Champions!) and the W keep kept sticking down, so I've pulled the switch and swapped it with the END key's switch (I very rarely use that key, if ever, so if it sticks it won't be the end of the world).

It dulled my excitement with getting a new laptop and was a bit disappointed on Monday night but it'll do. Saves having to be stuck without a laptop for another week+.

Now to game on from Friday night given tomorow is valentines, I should really spend some time with the Mrs

 

[ubuysa]

A quick update, I got fed up trying to play games this-evening (Apex Legends and Quake Champions!) and the W keep kept sticking down, so I've pulled the switch and swapped it with the END key's switch (I very rarely use that key, if ever, so if it sticks it won't be the end of the world).

It dulled my excitement with getting a new laptop and was a bit disappointed on Monday night but it'll do. Saves having to be stuck without a laptop for another week+.

Now to game on from Friday night given tomorow is valentines, I should really spend some time with the Mrs

Personally I wouldn't put up with that from a brand new laptop. I would phone PCS and explain the problem. If you're happy changing it yourself you may find that PCS will ship you a replacement keyboard....

 

[Gazz]

I'll go through every key tonight and see which ones have the problem switches and then will give them a call tomorrow. By then the keyboard should have had enough usage to rule out it simply being new and needing to be bedded in.

I think the left CTRL key is doing the same thing but less noticeable - I'll go over the whole keyboard and see how many keys have the problem. At first I thought it was the key caps brushing together due to being too close, but it's the actual switch mechanism not working properly.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I'll go through every key tonight and see which ones have the problem switches and then will give them a call tomorrow. By then the keyboard should have had enough usage to rule out it simply being new and needing to be bedded in.

I think the left CTRL key is doing the same thing but less noticeable - I'll go over the whole keyboard and see how many keys have the problem. At first I thought it was the key caps brushing together due to being too close, but it's the actual switch mechanism not working properly.

I would agree wholeheartedly with ubuysa, don’t make do on a new laptop, it should work flawlessly.

PCS have been known to just ship replacement keyboards in the post of the user is happy to fit it themselves. If they do, ask for a service manual to help you with it.

 

[bigphil]

Its a brand new laptop - send it back under it's warranty and get it replaced. Don't be messing around trying to fit keyboard (if that is what is needed) by yourself. Any repair that you want will also then be covered by a warranty as well

 

[Oussebon]

If PCS send you a part to fit yourself, they still cover the warranty on the system. They did with my PSU for instance, and CPU fan.

PCS can guide you through the process I'm sure - it may well be preferable for them than to have to have the system back in.

But only if you're comfortable fitting a keyboard with guidance of course Given that the OP is apparently happy replacing switches, I imagine they'll be happy enough swapping a whole keyboard.

 

[Gazz]

I'm happy to do my own upgrades and hardware maintenance, it's one of the reasons I went with PCS over an off-the-shelf laptop. 3 keys have the same problem and another sounds the same as the ones with the problem so possibly on it's way? I'll ask if they can send some replacement switches to swap out, or if not if there is anything else that can be done without the need to send the whole laptop back again, it just seems a bit of a pain to have to do for something that is quite an easy fix. Thanks again for the replies here! I'll let you know the outcome

 

[ubuysa]

Its a brand new laptop - send it back under it's warranty and get it replaced. Don't be messing around trying to fit keyboard (if that is what is needed) by yourself. Any repair that you want will also then be covered by a warranty as well

The OP has already said that he/she doesn't want to be without the laptop for the time it takes for PCS to replace/repair it. PCS are probably unique in that they will (and have) shipped keyboards and other new parts to competent customers for them to fit themselves. This is clearly a win-win situation, but much more importantly it's PCS serving their customers in the best way they can for the benefit of the customer.

I can't speak for PCS because I don't work for them, but as long as the customer does no damage when fitting a replacement part the warranty will not normally be affected. That's another area where PCS 'go the extra mile' to make life as painless and as helpful as possible for their customers.

I for one, would much rather fit a new keyboard myself and be up and running in less than an hour than have to wait a week or more for PCS to do it for me. On my old PCS Optimus IV I had wireless card issues and PCS sent me a new card to fit myself. Job done.

 

[Gazz]

I called and they've said that for this model of laptop, the keyboard is integrated into the chassis and that they are unable to send out individual switches. This means I'll need to return it for repair. I've filled in the RMA form.

I'm glad that they are happy to sort this out, it's just disappointing having to send it back and be without my shiny new laptop for another week+. I accept that there's always a small percentage of manufacturing faults in these things so can't be helped.

All of this said, ordering the laptop, taking delivery, talking on the phone and sorting out the RMA has so far been seamless so I can't fault them from a customer service perspective

 

[G0975]

Hi Gazz,

You have made the right choice in sending it back, although I am very sorry to hear of your experience. I think things like key strokes can easily escape final tests and it's a shame that it happened to be your machine. Here's hoping to a high priority response, do let us know when she's back.

Cheers.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I called and they've said that for this model of laptop, the keyboard is integrated into the chassis and that they are unable to send out individual switches. This means I'll need to return it for repair. I've filled in the RMA form.

I'm glad that they are happy to sort this out, it's just disappointing having to send it back and be without my shiny new laptop for another week+. I accept that there's always a small percentage of manufacturing faults in these things so can't be helped.

All of this said, ordering the laptop, taking delivery, talking on the phone and sorting out the RMA has so far been seamless so I can't fault them from a customer service perspective

Thanks for feeding back, I wasn’t aware it was an integrated keyboard!

 

[Gazz]

The back-plate that the switches are seated into is aluminium, same as the rest of the top half of the chassis so I'm not surprised that it's all one piece. I believe that when ordering with a different keyboard language, it means you have different caps, the chassis and switches remain the same.

I was just starting to get into playing Quake Champions as well. My old laptop just about manages to run CSGO Danger Zone at 50-60 fps in the lowest settings possible, so that will keep me ticking over for the next week or so. That 8 year old Optimus 2 is still going strong!

 

[ubuysa]

I called and they've said that for this model of laptop, the keyboard is integrated into the chassis and that they are unable to send out individual switches. This means I'll need to return it for repair. I've filled in the RMA form.

I'm glad that they are happy to sort this out, it's just disappointing having to send it back and be without my shiny new laptop for another week+. I accept that there's always a small percentage of manufacturing faults in these things so can't be helped.

All of this said, ordering the laptop, taking delivery, talking on the phone and sorting out the RMA has so far been seamless so I can't fault them from a customer service perspective

Ah. Well, at least it will get fixed.

 

[Oussebon]

As above, a shame it needs to go off though ofc always better to have it fixed.

Perhaps worth gently pressing PCS on whether they might look to be able to send out replacement switches (or indeed caps as required) for future issues.

 

[Gazz]

Another update borne from frustration, the RMA was received by PCS on Tuesday last week, I had an email on Friday to apologise for the delay in sorting out the issue. If I knew all of this would happen, I'd have waited until Thursday this week for my next pay day to order the laptop so I could afford the RTX 2060 rather than the 1060 model.

I didn't receive the Intel software promotion for Call of Duty initially but after a few emails back and forwards and arguing the case I've had a code sent through which took the sting out a little.

What began as an exciting time with getting a new laptop has now turned into something else rather frustrating. Hopefully it'll get sorted before Thursday pay day, I feel like asking to cancel it and re-order with someone else for a laptop with a RTX 2060 gpu instead.

It's kind of sad really, I've gone from a happy customer who has recommended PCS to friends and family over the last 8 years based on my last laptop, to what's happened this time around. I'm sure the response here will be 'give them a call and see where it's at', but I shouldn't have to. I guess I just want to rant and get this frustration off my chest. I'll post up again as things progress.

 

[ubuysa]

Another update borne from frustration, the RMA was received by PCS on Tuesday last week, I had an email on Friday to apologise for the delay in sorting out the issue. If I knew all of this would happen, I'd have waited until Thursday this week for my next pay day to order the laptop so I could afford the RTX 2060 rather than the 1060 model.

I didn't receive the Intel software promotion for Call of Duty initially but after a few emails back and forwards and arguing the case I've had a code sent through which took the sting out a little.

What began as an exciting time with getting a new laptop has now turned into something else rather frustrating. Hopefully it'll get sorted before Thursday pay day, I feel like asking to cancel it and re-order with someone else for a laptop with a RTX 2060 gpu instead.

It's kind of sad really, I've gone from a happy customer who has recommended PCS to friends and family over the last 8 years based on my last laptop, to what's happened this time around. I'm sure the response here will be 'give them a call and see where it's at', but I shouldn't have to. I guess I just want to rant and get this frustration off my chest. I'll post up again as things progress.

I do understand your frustration, I'd be petty ticked off as well, so rant forgiven.

Life is full of if's. If I'd known I was going to retire to live in Greece when I was at school I've have paid more attention in Greek classes!