New Asus M50SV-A1 "misses" keystrokes

Hello all,

I just purchased a new Asus M50SV-A1. Overall, I am very happy with it. However, I am having one major problem. When I type, the first key I press will often not register.

I was able to replicate this problem specifically in iTunes (although it happens in every other application as well). Here is what happens:

1) I switch focus from iTunes to another window
2) I switch focus back to iTunes
3) I create a new playlist
4) I type "Rock" to name the playlist

But instead of Rock, I get ock.

This happens all the time when I am typing in URL's, filling our forms, etc. I think that sometimes it even misses the second or third key instead.

This is a very random but extremely frustrating problem. I am just using the stock install of Vista on the laptop (purchased from Newegg). Any ideas on what might be going on here?

Thanks!

 

Well, I haven't worked with Vista, but this seems to be a problem from Vista itself or a program running in the background (the type that capture keystrokes for shortcuts, etc)

 

Hmm, yeah I guess that does make more sense. I had to do a system restore already (the ASUS security program locked me out of Vista), so I wonder if that had something to do with it. Still, I only have the standard Vista and ASUS applications running.

 

This happened to me two or three times already. Since I'm running XP pro, I don't think this problem is something exclusive to Vista.

 

I'm also running XP (w/ SP2) , but never had this problem.

 

I would suggest:

a) Try running the computer for a while in Live Linux. See if it eats keystrokes. If yes, it's probably a firmware or hardware problem.

If it doesn't.

b1) You can remove software one by one and see if the problem goes away.

or

b2) You can do a clean Windows install (it's possible with the recovery CDs see my Tips and Tricks in the signature), and then only install utils and drivers one by one; and check after each install if the problem appears.

That way you should be able to isolate the cause / application with the problem. Of course if it does it as soon as you boot into the clean Windows then it will be a default driver... but that shouldn't be the case.

If problem also appears in Linux then I suggest a BIOS update. If that doesn't do the trick maybe something is wrong with the keyboard controller and you need to RMA.

 

Thanks a lot for the detailed suggestion, I'll give that a try!

 

I have this problem too with Vista every once in a while if I try to type in AIM after not doing so for a while. Also, this happens with other things too but once it kicks in its perfectly fine (it just takes a few seconds for me)

It is only a minor inconvenience for me so I am still OVERLY satisfied with this laptop and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

This happens occasionally on my gateway desktop, which is running on vista. I think its due to the fact that Vista isn't switching fast enough to record the first keystroke. Try waiting 2 or 3 seconds before typing something into the new window a few times and if it registers keystokes like that all the time I'm pretty sure it's that.

 

That would be really weird. As soon as an application receives focus, EVEN IF it is not responding, the keystrokes should be put in a buffer and sent to the application when it becomes responsive.

But I guess anything can happen...

 

Update on this issue:

I installed Linux as recommended, and had the exact same problem. It appears there is a defective part in this laptop.

But apparently not just mine. There was another thread here recently ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=250533) where someone had the same issue. I posted at the official forums and got another person who also has the same problem ( http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...oard_id=3&model=M50SV&page=1&SLanguage=en-us).

So it appears there is a defect with mine, and possibly others, Asus M50Sv-A1. I'll be calling Asus to follow up on this, but I'd appreciate if anyone else could mention if they're having this problem.

 

I have a similar problem, but I am not 100% sure that it is a defect to the laptop. It could simply be me not being used to the keyboard just yet. The missing keystrokes is slowly decreasing, but I will definitely keep an eye on it.

 

I can confirm that I'm having the problem in Linux.

It doesn't occur often enough to make me want to trade in the laptop but it still occurs... perhaps I don't type as fast as some of you though.