DV8000 Series - Keyboard problems. Anyone else?

I didn't notice it in reviews before I bought my computer, and at first I thought "it's just me" or "I'm just not used to a new keyboard"... but now I'm finding quite a few reports of this -- namely, the keys and spacebar not registering all keystrokes. Plus for some people the CapsLock key (or at least the indicator light) working in reverse, sticking Shift key, doubled characters, etc. .

Some threads:

http://cnet.nytimes.com/HP_Pavilion...essageSiteID=7&messageID=1828742&cval=1828742

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=142166

http://www.talkshack.com/showthread.php?threadid=518

Doesn't seem there's a common denominator or reliable fix via drivers, replacement, repair or anything else from what I can tell. My particular problem is dropped characters, and the Shift key and spacebar missing occasionally. I do a lot of typing and it gets worse the faster I type, really annoying. It's unfortunate I have to return the computer because I just love the thing otherwise, runs and looks great. -Bex

 

Sad to say, I'm having the same problem. I can live with it, most of the time, but then again most of the time I'm using an external USB keyboard. I've yet to contact HP about the possibility of them sending me a replacement keyboard.

 

Are any more of you having keyboard problems with the dv8000 series? It would really suck to have to keep typing letters that don't get sent to the screen, especially after spending all that money.

 

I had thought it was me, but I too have been having weird issues with my 8000t. Every once in awhile, especially when I'm typing a long report, my keyboard strokes just stop registering at all. My mouse still works, but most of my keys just enable right click. My start key still works on the keyboard... I've looked in my events, haven't found anything weird. Only solution I've found is rebooting...

If others are having the same issue, then It may be time for a replacement on my laptop. Anyone used Linux on their 8000t and had the same issue?

 

jka/v, how often do you have to reboot from this problem?

 

Well, it depends on use, but nearly every time I use my laptop for over 20 minutes. Pretty weird...

 

Yes, i can say the first 2 dv8000's I had did have this problem. I have not noticed it at all with my newer dv8000t with the go 7600. I will post on this topic if it does happen to me, but i have had this one for about 4 days now so we shall see

 

Well, I returned my computer, and got talked into taking a replacement instead of a refund. The 2nd computer is even worse!

 

Tell them that Bex and keep trying until you get a working one. You paid for a working keyboard. My dv5000z really doesn't have any keyboard issues but sometimes I find that if I dont hold the shift key long enough the letter won't shift, but I've already gotten used to this.

 

Guy gave me 100 bucks off the replacement... so if I keep bringing them back eventually I'll have a free computer

At this point, even if I find one with a keyboard that works, not sure I'd trust it to keep working since it's not even clear what the problem is. I need the computer to last me several years and I need to do a lot of typing on it, and it's a lot of money, so if I'm already feeling this leery about the thing it's probably better to forget it.

Geez and I'm replacing a Hitachi notebook that's so old it has a 1 GB hard drive and it's never had a single problem.

 

that sucks ... i was hoping the dv8000t didn't have so many problems

 

WOW! I'm having the same issue. My keyboard is randomly entering keys strokes all over the place. I called tech support and they asked me to re-install word. They are such idiots. The problem doesn't seem to be any get any better with a USB or wireless keyboard.

 

An external keyboard should work around the problem. Either you have a seriously goofy virus/worm infection or your built-in keyboard is even more messed up than most. Stuck keys are one thing but you have randomly firing keys?

 

The dv5000 is having similar problems. There's a thread on here about it. It's not a virus; it's not a worm; it's not a driver problem. It's a cheap keyboard that seats poorly in a cheap case. Not a new problem with HP.

And why would anyone who bought a laptop want to use an external keyboard? Pretty much defeats the purpose of a laptop.

 

Well, so far I'm not encouraged with what I'm reading here... Looks like theres quite afew of us with this issue. I've updated bios, and every other potential driver, but doesn't seem to matter.

I asked this before, but anyone have a Linuz Distro on a dv8000t and had the same issue?

 

I've contacted HP, and am sending my unit in for "repair". They asked me to put it back to stock before I send it in, hopefully it comes back fixed...

Anyone sent theirs in and had it come back properly yet?

 

Good to have people in the thread keeping in touch about the problem so if a solution is found everyone will hear about it quickest. I'm interested in what HP says about it.

 

They said they have heard of the problem, though it wasn't HP wide (meaning it wasn't on every notebook).. So that was encouraging. Course, sending it in and being without it isn't too encouraging.

 

someone in here said that the new ones are fine, is that true? can anyone beg to differ? because im looking into getting a dv8000t

 

What's up guys, I just got my DV8000T a few days ago, and unfortunately, HP still hasn't fixed the issue.

The problem where keystrokes don't work has happened only once.

But the Caps Lock reverse problem has happened two or three times in just 2 days.

You don't need to reboot to fix the problem, just hit the SHIFT key repeatedly until Sticky Keys popup comes on your screen, then click cancel. That will fix the reverse caps lock issue without rebooting.

On a side note, I really hate this keyboard. I'm a very fast typer and I have trouble typing on this.

 

I sent my dv5000 series in for repair. They replaced the keyboard; the new one still does it, though not quite as often. The work-around is to depress the offending shift or ctrl key a few times rapidly until it "unlocks." Ye, the ctrl key will also "stick" like the shift key. There seems to be no pattern as to when the keys stick.

I beg to differ if it's a system wide problem; if it's happening on both the 5000 and 8000 series, seems to me more than just an isolated incident.

My tech guy tells me, after I bought this laptop, that keyboard problems are an old HP bugaboo.

 

hey i really hate this keyboard on the DV8000 so much.

Not even the caps lock problem, it's so stiff and hard to type on, it's almost a big enough issue to return it.

Dell and Sony keyboards are WAY better than HP, this is horrible.

 

Hi, I am thinking of buying an HP nc8430 but would be wondering about the number of members with problems on the dv8000 keyboards. Does any-one know if this problem affects the nc8430. I would prefer to know before I buy HP. Maybe some-one could advise whether the Tosh A100 15" or P100 17" would be a better buy ? I know 17" is really a replacement for a desktop, but I use a laptop for everything from home use to being "on the road". Any advice would be appreciated.
Peterjones2 dublin.

 

the dv8000 has NOTHING to do with the nc8430. They are two TOTALLY seperate lines. this has been explained by someone responding to your posts in other forums as well...

Please do not double and triple post all over the forum, it is inefficient.

Im not a big toshiba fan, i think the HP nc8430 would work great for you.

Good luck!
Samuel

 

Frankly, I would be cautious of all HP notebooks at this point. There are keyboard problems with the 5000 and 8000 series. My tech guy has some nc series HP (I can't recall which one) and also reports keyboard problems.

It's time for HP to get off their butt and address this issue.

 

Thanks for response re: dv8000 and nc8430. I think that I will buy the nc8430. Apologies for the cross posts - I guess practice makes perfect.
Rgds, peter jones.

 

my shift keys sometimes willl stick, too me forever to figure it out =/

 

I haven't seen it on mine yet.
Has anyone gotten the keyboard stick after completely reloading the system from scratch?

 

I haven't had this issue on any of the 3 dv8000t's I own or on my dz8000.

 

Ok, count me in on the dv8000t keyboard issues. I had mine since late April and only had the caps lock issue happen once - no big deal I thought, I can live with that, and maybe an occassional missed keystroke.

Then yesterday I lent the notebook to my daughter to type a paper on. She was half way through the paper and the keyboard just stopped working. Entering keystokes would result in weird actions. I tried to save the document so she could finish it on our desktop. Couldn't even do that since I couldn't type a file name into the file save box. Finally had to just print it out, which worked, and reboot the notebook to clear the issue. Now I consider this a serious issue in need of an HP fix!

 

Same thing mine does CHDinCT...

egarbage: Mine was reloaded with XPpro, still has the same issues. And, after using recovery discs, yesterday, while using it to do some networking, the keyboard locked up again, and that is with it straight from the factory... I'm still waiting on my return box from HP, their 24-48hrs seems more like a week....

Pretty frustrated, I've had multiple HP laptops before this, and have never had any issues..

 

Has anyone tried uninstalling the synaptics driver?

Also, is this problem on the intel based dv8000t?

 

Looks to be on both of the dv8000 formats, amd and intel. And it also looks like some have mentioned it on the 7600 series dv8000t's. Manager at HP today said they are aware of the issue, and promised me mine would be fixed....

 

Yes and yes. No change after uninstalling the driver, and mine is Intel.

 

OK. That is a problem. Now I'm thinking twice about buying the dv8000t. How wide spread is this isssue? I tried the ones on display at sam's club. They worked fine.

 

Like I said I have 3 dv8000t's with no issues.

 

I am feeling the exact same way as you.

 

Yeah, unfortuneatly. I can't afford to send back the laptop for a long period of time like HP wants. I'd rather be safe so sorry HP. I just can't buy the dv8000t

 

I second this problem. I think this problem is most apparent to those who type fast. Those who do not type very fast may not notice it. Thing is, I've had scores of computers in my lifetime, and this is the first time I felt like maybe I'm typing too fast until I realized that others are having this problem as well and realized that I don't have the same problem on any other computers.

I've posted this on the http://www.zd7000forums.com in the dv8000 section.

This problem doesn't seem like a dealbreaker at first, but the attrition rate is going to be high as it slowly starts to feel like Chinese Water Torture the longer you have this problem. For me, I have to keep using the backspace because the keyboard doesn't type some characters. Do it once or twice, fine. Do it every 10 keystrokes, and you'll see how the annoyance adds up.

 

Keyboard, touchpad issues are TRUE!. Except for some successful people. HP dv8000t has this problem.
I posted more issues over here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=58944&page=2

I am planning to return and go for Sony AR instead.One pays more for it, but atleast it has some reputation of using better parts.

 

These keyboard problems are gettng really ridiculous.

Happens WAY too often now, pissing me off.

 

Well I received one on June 6, 2006, and I have this problem, so it's not true that all new ones are fine.

 

What's the best way to try and simulate to see if I get this on my laptop.
I mainly browse the Internet and do a lot of pointing and clicking.

Do I need to consistently type for 20-30 minutes at a time, or does simply leaving the computer on for an extended period of time and typing bring the problem to surface?

 

I think the problem may be slightly different with different laptops. With mine, it doesn't matter how long I've used it. Whenever I just type fast, I'll get a few unregistered keystrokes mixed into it. The reverse caps lock happens unpredictably.

 

Hmmm. As Sledgehammer said, some (surely most, maybe almost all?) units appear to function perfectly, which makes it a frustrating situation for people who are considering buying a dv8000 but are concerned with the number of people having problems.

Maybe what it comes down to is whether you can buy it somewhere with a no-fuss return policy that gives you enough time to thoroughly check out the machine for any signs of a problem and allows you to cancel the whole adventure if necessary. If you're willing to trust it will stay OK if it starts out OK, and that some units are just lemons, well, the computer's a great deal, when it works.

But if you'd be sinking your money into a unit you haven't tried out, knowing you'll be basically stuck with it and dependent on HP to fix it if it doesn't work, personally I'd advise running a mile from this model at this point if it's important to you that your keyboard work perfectly (it seemed funny to me at first but I do realize some people don't consider it a big deal....)

Going by these various threads, HP has not at this point even identified or explained what is causing the problem, let alone 'fixed' a single problem unit.

 

I recently got a Dv8000t and prior to ordering the laptop I read this thread and about the keyboard issues.. I was thinking they were rare events

well like a week ago I received the laptop and what a poor quality.. upon opening the lid I could see that the keyboard is not leveled

the left side of the keyboard is somewhat bulding up like, and I can push it down by pressing on it

and part of the upper right side is like concave down..

I am waiting to get my rma number to return it for a refund
last time I order an Hp product

 

yeah, the unlevelness of the keyborad is really starting to annoy me, exactly as you described it.

It's so funny how the keyboard can make me hate a laptop so much.

1. it is difficult to type on, i am consistently getting typos becaues i press a button and it doesn't write the letter.
2. the keyboard is NOTICABLY unleveled
3. the caps lock button gets reversed.
4. When you click on an item on ur desktop, then click another, it highlights that one too. When that happens, ur touchpad starts acting up and the only solution is to restart your computer. Sometimes you can hit Shift 5 times for Sticky Keys, then sometimes that won't even work.

I hate to ***** and moan about something, but this is so god **** annoying.

I will be for sure taking back my laptop in a few months. It's too bad, because it was a really good deal, but this is not a small issue whatsoever.

 

This is not isolated to the dv8000 series...also happens on the dv5000 series.

Shameful quality control on HP's part.

 

Bluesteel310,
I agree with you. Really the parts look cheap plastic to me. That is also one of the main reason I never went for Dell, b'cos materials look quite cheap.

You pay more for sony or toshiba, you also do expect quality parts. (but most of the times, price is really higher than what you get-to me, that's oK).

drb

 

Update:

Had some more issues the other day with my dv8000t keyboard. These issues seem very random. I was surfing a web site and tried to use the File?Open window to type in a new URL. All of a sudden, the keyboard would not register anything in the open URL box; nor could I click on another open window to get out of the box or type another URL in the navigation bar. I was bascially stuck in the open URL window and not able to type anything into it. I finally tried to go to Start/Sutdown to safely reboot the machine. No can do. As soon as I clicked on Start, the start menu would rapidly pop up and then disappear. Similar to what would happen if I tried to change windows. The window I would try to re-activate would become active for a split second and then the screen would revert to where I was - same old open URL window that I couldn't type anything in. Finally gave up and held the power button down to force a reboot.

It's one thing for the keyboard to act up, but these issues for me are requiring a forced reboot to fix each time - unacceptable.

Unfortunately for me, none of this started happening until well after my 21-day return period. From what I"ve read, it's no use sending it back to HP for repair. I'm going to follow this issue and when (hopefully) HP has a fix, I'll take advantage of it. And if HP does not come up with a fix, I think we all need to start a group recall initiative for this problem.

Chris