DV8000 Series - Keyboard problems. Anyone else?

i forgot to add, in case anyone wonders:

1. I am not using the Microsoft "sticky keys" option and when the glitch strikes if I am able to open keyboard settings, the sticky keys thing is still unchecked.

2. I have installed a keyboard testing bit of freeware. Again, when the glitch happens, if I am able to run it, it claims allt he keys are working normally, including shift and caps lock, and isn't detecting any keys stuck on, even though the machine is behaving as if the control key is depressed.,

Please help - I really am desperate!!!

 

dave163, thanks for posting ...

1st, What's the link to the keyboard testing software you are using?

2nd, I'm glad you found the "secret" key combination for "unsticking" the CAP LOCKS ... I, too, was trying to guess that combination

So far, the solution for me has been to place a check mark in the "Turn on ClickLock" option under "Mouse Properties" from "Control Panel" ... reboot ... and uncheck the "Turn on ClickLock" option.

Additionally, I try not to plug-in / unplug any USB devices while the computer is on ... this usually causes some of the problems I mentioned earlier.

 

To repeat again...

This is NOT a software problem.

It is NOT a driver problem.

It is NOT sticky keys.

It's a cheap keyboard seated in a cheap case.

To "fix" the problem of the stuck "ctrl" or "shift" key, simply depress that key a few times in succession.

You can have the keyboard replaced (I did), but it won't solve the problem. When you replace a cheap keyboard with a cheap keyboard, the problem continues.

Uninstalling the keyboard driver won't work either (I did that too.)

The above is the only fix for the one problem; there is NO fix for missing keystrokes other than retyping.

And, of course, not buying HP ever again.

 

Bluesteel is correct. This issue is inherent in the keyboard itself. Mine went in with this issue happening daily, and came back as No problem found.
This problem also happens on Linux on the dv8000t as well. So it's a hardware based issue, not a driver/software based problem.

 

Well, apparently it IS a software/BIOS issue after all. I have just received the following email from HP technical support, which they OK'd me to post to this forum (having said that, the issues these patches address don't appear to mention keyboard bugs). Anyway, HP are clearly aware of the problems with the keyboard and are apparently working on a software solution. Any volunteers for installing these and seeing what happens next?

Dave


(Copy of email from HP technical support follows
Thank you for writing back.

I do understand your concern and being with us in troubleshooting the issue. I also see, the importance of the notebook in your day to day life and the personal data in the notebook. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused.

Yes, you may post the email in the forum, in troubleshooting the issue and also let me know, if there is any further update so I could forward your message to appropriate department. However, we will try our level best to resolve the issue, as soon as possible. You may perform the mentioned the troubleshooting steps in the previous message to confirm the same with the issue.

If you need further assistance, please reply to this message and I will be happy to assist you further. It's my pleasure in helping an esteemed customer like you.

I really appreciate for all the efforts to troubleshoot the issue and I'm sorry to hear the issue is unresolved. I have also gone through all the provided web sites.

I would like to say, we are aware about the issue and researching the same. As mentioned in the previous message, you may call our Total Care to either set up a FREE mail in repair service service or directly talk to a case manager to replace the notebook. However, to troubleshoot the issue, you may perform the following steps:

# Reinstall the Keyboard Driver:

1. Press F8 during Startup to access the Startup menu. Ignore any error messages that occur. 2. Choose Safe Mode from the Startup menu and press Enter. 3. From the Desktop, right-click My Computer and select Properties. 4. Click the Device Manager tab. 5. Double-click on Keyboard. 6. Click the first listed mouse device to highlight it. 7. Click Remove. 8. Remove any additional keyboard device listed in the same manner. 9. Click OK. 10.Restart the computer.

# Download and install the following updates:

BIOS update:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...roduct=1848188&dlc=en&softwareitem=ob-40630-1

System Default Settings

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...roduct=1848188&dlc=en&softwareitem=ob-40276-1

NOTE: Clicking the link may give an error indicating it is
invalid. If this occurs, copy the portion of the address
on the remaining line(s) and paste it at the end of the
address showing in your browser until the complete address
is displayed in the Address box.

If the issue persists, please wait until there is further update released from HP to resolve the issue or else as mentioned earlier, please call our HP Total Care as mentioned earlier to help you further.

If you need further assistance, please reply to this message and I will be happy to assist you further.

 

wow....i was just about to order this thing my zd7000 is still working fine. too bad.

 

Nope.

It's not a BIOS problem. I've had the most recent BIOS update installed since I received the computer. The problem occurred with the old BIOS and the new one.

It's NOT a driver problem. I've used two or three different drivers with the keyboard. Same problem.

The keys stick because the keyboard is cheap and not well seated, and it doesn't appear the HP is either willing or able to fix it.

It's a cheap keyboard in a cheap case. Period.

 

Correct, I too have had the old, and now the new bios, still does it both ways.

And, I had the new bios, with a new install of MCE2005, still does it (which would load a new keyboard driver).

I have now left 6 messages to HP responding to a message about my BBB complaint, but I have not gotten a return call yet. Now 2 weeks...

Hp has pretty much dropped the entire ball on this issue, and don't seem to be in a capable place to fix it either.

 

Hi Dave. The email doesn't support that conclusion at all.

Researching and troubleshooting are completely different things than correcting diagnosing and fixing. The email suggests they have no clue what is causing the problem and are simply trying to keep customers busy trying things that have already shown no results.

What I am hoping someone will try is checking and firming up the connections in the keyboard as Sledgehammer has suggested elsewhere in this thread.

 

Well, after 6 messages and over a week and a 1/2, I get a return call from a Sara of the Executive response team. She proceeds to tell me that oops, her voicemail was broken for the last 11 days, strange from one of the largest tech companies... but I digress. She informs me that HP has read my bbb report and has decided to get my unit repaired. I say wait, I've sent it in for repair already, and it came back NPF, and many others are on multiple units, and multiple repairs, and still no fix. I was treated horribly by your senior Case manager, and was lied to by 2 people at HP, and I have proof in text. She says sorry, you can send it in for repair. If it goes in 3 times, we will consider talking to you about replacing the unit or refunding you, at our discression. She also says just because you filed a report with the BBB doesn't mean we have to do what you want. Your only choice is to send it in. Sooo.. HP has gladly told me to pound sand. Be without a defective piece for even more time, and too bad I didn't buy a NX series unit. Pretty snazzy. She also told me that (after I told her I own my own company that is listed with the BBB), that we are a billion dollar a year company, and have billions (yes she said billions) of customers, a single person filing a complaint does not get what they want. Pretty Uppity of them...

So far, I've learned the following:
1. Customer is always right, is way wrong with HP. More like too bad for you, poor little 1 person, we have 999,999,999 other customers to take care of.
2. HP Customer service ranks below Dells, and 99% of the scam artist CE dealers on the east coast, and that's a surprise...
3. I'm stuck with a defective product, and I have to play by their rules for getting it handled. Or better said, possibly getting it handled. I pointedly asked her what would happen when my unit goes in, comes back broken still, and she says, I don't know, I can't predict the future, we'll have to send it back in for repair. I say, what if it happens for a 3rd time, can I get my money back. She said maybe, but I can't predict the future. (or in other words, it depends on how I feel that day). Pretty shady if you tell me...
4. If you file a complaint with the BBB, you get a person from the "Executive Response" team to call you, by setting up the repair, she made it plain to me that my complaint with the BBB and them was closed. She offered no resolution, nor responded to either of my requests in the complaint (refund or exchange), but said once she was off the phone that was it. I said, what if it comes back defective again, she said I would have to file a rebuttal with the BBB, and then HP will respond. I said, this is ridiculous, My unit is defective, you obviously can't fix it, but you want to try again, and if it still isn't fixed, you want me to waste 2 more weeks before I can get service?! She said yes. She also informed me that my case was blocked from anyone else at HP, and if I had to speak to someone, she was the only one...
5. HP Chat and HP CSR on the phone are 2 different beings. Chat folks seem to be very apologetic, and try to help, CSR on the phone does nothing of the sort. HP Chat even messed up the first return procedure, so next dayed me a return label and box, but the Executive Response Team person said sorry, I'll put in the request, and it can take 5-7 days for it to get processed. I said, HP Manager Santiago in Chat said it only takes 24-48 hours to process. She says, that's in Chat, I don't have to do that.... Wow..

Anyhow, looks like I continue to be without a working unit, and I "might" get a replacement. Pretty good deal for $1500.00

 

I appreciate your suggestion; however, you can't assume this is the ONLY solution just because it solved the problem with YOUR keyboard. There are a lot of possible causes for keyboard problems on any computer ... to be fair, they should all be considered. However, it does seem that HP doesn't put much effort into quality control nor customer service. This seems to be true for most big companies; I had to take Toshiba to court (class action) to get my problems solved witih my last laptop.

 

Well, just as I was using the left arrow key (with both hands off the keyboard) to scroll through my post, the number "4" mysteriously popped into the text ... wait, also, the letter "u" doubled itself.

But, like some mentioned, it doesn't happen often enough, yet, for me to get too upset. Now, we'll see when I start typing tons of words.

 

Finally got someone to help me at HP. The trick seemed to be to tell them you are recording the phone call. Rude people become nice, they go out of their way to help you, they find information they could not find before, it really was amazing the difference. As soon as anyone comes on the line tell them you are recording the conversation. I got a call back from HP withing 5 minutes from 3 people offering to help me solve the problem with my laptop.

 

I did that with the call from Executive Support, unfortunately didn't help...

What did they do for you ubatz?

 

Before they wouldn't give me the name or phone number of anyone I could contact except the guys in India. Told guys in India I'm recording so they put me in contact with someone in the U.S.. Guy in U.S. told me I had to wait for case manager to call me. Told US Guy I've been waiting for 1 month for that to happen and I'm recording this call, he puts me in touch with US guy #2. U.S. guy #2 tells me I have to wait for a case mgr. to call me and there is no other person or phone number for me to call. I tell US guy #2 I'm recording and he immediately tries to ring up my case mgr. who he says is on another line, he then gives me the name of my case mgr. his phone # and extension #. I call my case mgr. and leave him a voice mail message and he calls me back within 2 min.. I couldn't get them to give me a refund but they are going to give me a new laptop. All I can do is hope it is one that does not have the buggy keyboard. I did tape the conversation and since this will now be my 3rd replacement I will file a claim with the BBB if this one has the same problem. Don't know if we can file a claim in Small Claims Court since the person you are going after has to be in the district you are filing in but I'm looking into it. I'm not hopeful that this replacement will be any different but will have to wait and see. Their customer service is diabolical. I've had problems with other companies customer service but these people are the worst I've ever experienced. They may as well tell you to eff off when you call. They must have recruited these people from social services in the Bronx. HP can count on me to spread the word about what a miserable company they are, they treat their customers with disdain, and sell shoddy products. I've never done a blog but this seems like a good reason to. How's your end going?

 

I've been basically told to eff off as well... I have to send my defective laptop back in for it's second time. If it comes back defective again, I have to send it in again, and then and only then, will they consider giving me another laptop or a refund. So basically, we have a defective product line, lots of folks complaining about the same issues, a company who can't fix the the problem, and their line is basically make you the customer, go through the motions, waste 2 months without a suitably working product, and then they "might" take care of it.

Pretty sweet if you tell me. The Executive Response persons general gist was too bad, if it doesn't work on the second repair time, you'll have to waste 2 weeks with the BBB in rebuttals before you will hear from me again. I told her no way, I have your number, and you will be the first person called if my laptop comes back from repair defective again. She didn't like that, but that's too bad.

So, I'll find out when I get back from Vacation, which I need my laptop for, but will likely have to take my notebook from the office and scrape by with that.

 

Nice job on telling them you are recording it! Like I said before, doing that will usually upgrade/improve the customer support experience. I do that on just about every support type of call or deal making

 

Well, the patch HP directed me to was a fat lot of good, the problem came straight back again...I'm just off to the shop armed with printouts of all the forums documenting the problem and printouts of my emails from HP so we''l see what happens next...

 

That's a really good idea. The shop will at least get a comprehensive overview of the situation.

 

OK, back home now. I spent two hours in the store I bought it from typing away trying to make the bug appear but to no avail. Shop's response was that I wasn't able to prove anything was wrong and I would have to leave the laptop with them and they would try to fix it and if they couoldn't they would pass it to HP to fix. I said where's the logic in that since HP have basically told me there is a known issue with these laptops and there's nothing the guys in the shop can do. Well they said, if I accept a swap and the swap doesn't work, by the time I'm on machine no3 I'll be in a stronger position than I am at the moment and I can't have a refund at present even though it was known by HP to have a fault when I bought it. They also rang the HP office who said, no, we've not had any complaints about this issue with the 8000 series, though people have noticed it in the 4000 series!!!

I was so mad, I went across town to another store in the same chain to see if they would be more helpfiul. I got the laptop out, and kid you not as I was logging in the wretched control key got stuck! So they phone store #1 to say, no I'm not hallucinating, the thing really doesn't work. And suggest I go along tomorrow to store #1 for another try at a refund. Anyone know anything about UK consumer rights?

 

Well, I was finally able to get my dv8000t to "blue screen of death" ... the computer had just rebooted and I was installing the "Logitech Desktop Messenger v2.01" when it happened.

The event viewer indicated the following error ...

 

Here's my latest update:

http://67.153.191.194/complaint/view/252043/c/kxkad7#

What a pain in the butt in an attempt to either get a working product, or my money back...

 

Hey everyone. I just recieved my new dv8000t today. Despite reading about the "keyboard problems," I decided to go ahead with the purchase because it was the best computer I could find. I JUST started typing a few minutes ago for the first time, and I'm already noticing that some of the keys I hit aren't registering... I'm hoping that the problem will disappear on its own, because I don't want to regret spending over $2000 on this machine... I'll keep you posted.

 

It truly would be awesome if it went away... but it unfortunately doesn't. Even on linux it happens

 

Glad we have google [or internet search engines for that matter].

My dv5000 has the random "shift key" issue with 2 different keyboards. Haven't tried the shift/control trick - but definitely will next time.

Glad I purchased the "If you don't like this laptop you can replace it with something else" office depot plan. I'm definitely going to use that if this problem keeps re-appearing.

 

Okay, so I was just typing a message to my friend, and suddenly the comma key started to type "<'s" every time I tried to type a comma. For some reason it has stopped doing it now. Does anyone know if I would be able to return my computer to HP? I just received it yesterday, and I’m already having the "keyboard problems."

Please, if you're even considering getting an hp dv8000, wait until hp resolves the problem, if they ever do. I bought the computer thinking "oh, this won't happen to me," but it is already happening and I haven't even owned the computer for 48 hours. Although my problems aren't really bad yet, they are noticeable. I’ll continue to keep you all posted.

UPDATE: I just called HP and I'm returning my computer. I'm really really sad to see it go; it's great in every other aspect... I don't know if I'm making the right choice by returning it. If you have any suggestions about a replacement computer, please visit my post in the "What Notebook Should I Buy" forum. Thanks!

 

A co-worker of mine bought this at Best Buy. It's techinically the dv8301nr, but wouldn't it share the same keyboard? Anyway, he hasn't had any problems, and when I tried it out for about 5 minutes I didn't notice any problems.

iorek936, did you order online? Was it difficult to convince them to take it back for a refund? I'm choosing this for my mom, and unfortunetly I'm in a place where it's either this or the Toshiba P100 or P105, which may have its own evils. Plus my mom doesn't like it as much.

If I end up getting it, I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

 

Just got my dv8000t two days ago.....ordered through Costco.
No problems at all so far. What a beauty it is!!

 

I ordered mine online from www.hp.com. It was not difficult at all to convince them (I actually did no convincing, they just accepted) because it was only 2 days after recieving my computer. I was prepared to have horrible service after reading all the complaints here, but it was actually really good. I believe if you order before September 1st, you have 30 days to return all HP products, but after the 1st you will only have 21 days. You could always go with the purchase, try it out for a week or so, and then try to return it if any problems occur. I really really love this notebook, and if it had no problems I would HIGHLY recommened it. Again, my keyboard problems have been minimal so far. I actually called HP again and told them I didn't want to return it just yet, and I wanted to try it out for a few more days before returning it. They said that tech. support might be able to resolve my problem over the phone, so I'm going to try that out before I return it. I'll let you know how everything goes; let me know if you decide to purchase the dv8000t. I've also been looking at the Sony VAIO FE690 for a possible replacement, but it's hard to find reviews on it. Adios.

 

well, HP "escalated" my compliant, so I was really looking forward to reading the email their technical support supervisor sent me....

...As your product is out of warrenty you will have to resolve the problem yourself.

On a laptop a month old? Please!

 

Well, yesterday I called HP and the guy, who could barely speak English, uninstalled my keyboard driver or something over the phone. He said it should fix the problem, but it didn't. I was just typing a minute ago and my caps lock key got stuck on, only when the light was off it typed uppercase letters, and when the light was on it typed lowercase letters. Then the stupid apostrophe key got stuck typing quotations. I'm calling HP tomorrow and getting that replacement computer they offered me... Hopefully this one will work! URRRRRRRGG!!!!!

 

I just picked up a dv8000 and found this forum when I started experiencing the myriad keyboard issues myself. For those of you who are trying (like me) to find some way to hold onto this great machine without having to return it, I recommend trying a solution that has been working very well for me.

1. Go to the control panel and set it on "Classic view" (upper left corner)
2. Select "Keyboard" from the menu
3. Move the "repeat delay" selector all the way to the right (short).
4. Hit apply.

For some reason, this has been working very well for me. I switched back to the original setting after awhile to see if I could get it to malfunction again. It took about an hour, but didn't disappoint--I got one of the classic caps lock sticks and skipping random keys. So without rebooting, I tried the temporary fix I stumbled into and it cleared the problem right up. I don't know for how long, but I'm working with it.

Good luck. I'm afraid we'll need it.

 

Well, I went ahead and ordered it. I'll post my results when I get the machine (I guess in 2 weeks or so).

 

Well I'm on my third HP dv8000 and I'm giving up. Thankfully I purchased mine through Costco. Two were picked up at the store and I thought a third unit ordered online would pull a unit from a different stock of goods. No such luck. I'm tired of having to reboot just to get out of the cap lock mystery. The computer has all the features I was looking for, but if I have to spend all day correcting my typing, what good is it. I'll go back to Toshiba were at east they work for 3 or 4 years before problems come up. This is just BS. I really feel sorry for folks who can not get 100% of their money back. dlj

 

Samwise42 thanks for the great tip. I just got this dv8000 this morning and was reluctant to order it because I read about the keyboard issues. The trick you mentioned does seem to help...thank you very much!

One thing I have noticed is that the Cap key does not always seem to register and my character comes out in lower case. It's also very easy to bump the CAP LOCK key which is kind of a pain.

Not sure if I'll stick with this one or not. I ordered a Dell Latitude 820 that has the 2.16 duo processor and 667Mhz memory and 7200 rpm drive, but the screen is a bit sucky. No media card reader but I'm not sure how often I'd use it anyway and I can get a USB media card reader for not too much if I really want it. The Dell was supposed to have the 512Mb video card in it but they screwed up and only put the 256Mb vid in it, so I was going to return it but then the dv8000 arrived the next day so I figured I'd try them both out before making the final decision. so far I'm leaning toward the Dell...it's smokin fast. And I'm getting **** tired of having to backspace over characters that should have been capitalized on this dv8000. The 17" screen on the dv8000 is nice but seems a bit overkill as I use it but I'll see.

Irks me that HP knows about this keyboard problem but doesn't fix it. HP and Compaq were both great companies once, it's sad to see the decline in quality. I have been working with Compaq and HP servers for many years and when they announced the merger a few years ago we were all very skeptical. The first thing HP did was ruin Compaq's good name, then their own.

In any case thanks again for the excellent keyboard tip, it's very helpful.

 

So for those of us who are getting replacements, any suggestions? I like the Toshiba Qosmio, but I don't like how I can't configure it to the way I want it. It also weighs more than the dv8000. Does anyone know if there is a website where I can configure my own Qosmio? A lot of people have been suggesting Asus and Sager, but I'm not really so fond of purchasing something so expensive from a company that is not so well-known.

I think there should be a thread for all the people who are happy with, and have had no problems with, their dv8000's. If there are any, I'd like to know. I asked HP if they had had others complain about the same issue and the guy said, "yes, and we're trying to fix it." But I don't know if he really understood my question because he didn't speak English well...

 

Some folks had AMD versions of this computer. My current third HP dv8000 is the T model with the Intel duo core T2500/2.0ghz, 1gb ram, 100gb 7200 rpm HD etc...... ordered from Costco online. The first two models were basically the same unit that was stocked at Costco stores. It had a slower processor, but similar other features. If HP or someone here found a real fix for this problem, I'd keep this computer. But honestly if we are having these problems when it is new. How's it going to be in 6 months or a year or two? My Toshiba notebooks have always given me 3 or 4 years worth of trouble free service before wanting to upgrade. This really sucks. I'll have to install and setup another computer after returning this one. dlj

 

A couple of weeks ago I went to Fry's Electronics and they had the dv8000 sitting next to the Toshiba Qosmio, which I had been interested in. The Qosmio felt cheap and rickety to me and the screen was very hard to see. So I ruled it out. Have they come out with the duo processor option for the Qosmio yet? Last I looked on Toshiba's website you could only get the single processor so nix on that. Just a few thoughts. If you can find a place where they are on display that would probably help you. The only one I didn't try was the Dell Latitude because I couldn't find it on display anywhere and it turns out it's the one I favor now.

 

"But honestly if we are having these problems when it is new. How's it going to be in 6 months or a year or two?"

Agree with you there dljacob.

I also forgot to mention the hp comes loaded with a lot of bloatware which the Dell didn't have. Yes you can uninstall it, but then you still have clutter left in the registry and in the system folders. I've been using this now for a few hours, going to put it away and try the Dell again.

 

Hope this works and can be confrimed by more people. Thanks for your try at solution. This, along with whether I should wait on the dv9000 models, are about the only things holding me back from purchasing this machine.

Gary

 

The dv9000 sounds nice with the duo 64 bit processors. I wonder if it will come with SATA/NCQ enabled drives. I looked around for the NCQ and it's still a bit too early for most manufacturers. :-(

 

Yeah, they have Core Duo in the Qosmio. I actually think duo is all that's offered in them now, but I may be wrong. I like the looks of the dv8000 more than the Qosmio, and I also like the fact that it has a numerical keypad... I mean, what's the point of having a 17" screen and enough room for a numerical keypad, if it doesn't have one? That's just my opinion. I'll check out the Dell Latitude, even though I'm not a fan of Dell for various reasons, but I really need a new computer, and soon....

 

I ended up on the Latitude by accident. I read some good and some bad reviews about Dell and my only experience with them was through friends who had the desktop version but didnt' know anyone with a notebook. The Toshiba Qosmio has a sucky graphics option last I looked, it was integrated and I don't really like that. The one thing I did like about the Qosmio was the ability to configure the two drives in RAID0 or RAID1. Having been a network/systems engineer for a long time I am very big on redundancy. The Dell does have an optional modular drive that you can get which can be booted from. I ordered mine refurb'ed and the 100gb modular drive was not an option so I would have to wait for them to sell it directly off their site; however, if you order a new one you can get the secondary modular drive pretty reasonable. I would imagine using Ghost or another similar type program it's easy to make up for the actual RAID and just back up daily or every couple of days, that way if your main hard drive takes a dump you can still boot off the modular drive. I ordered the dv8000 from Costco because of their great return policy...although, I have to say one other thing that is attractive about the Latitude is it's a business notebook and came standard with a 3 year onsite warranty, not the mail in option like HP gives you.

 

Just posting a follow up to my earlier keyboard "repeat delay" workaround.

When I started working on my laptop this afternoon, I started getting some of the same keyboarding issues, so I went back into the keyboard setting of control panel and moved the "repeat delay" setting back to its original position. This went ahead and cleared up the problem again for me.

As a result, I don't think that it is any one setting that clears up the problem, but the process of resetting it that helps. Reading other posts, I don't doubt that there might by physical problems with the connectors, but based on my experience I think that the issue I have on my keyboard anyways is software related, and I hope for a patch in the future.

It is annoying to have to do this workaround (it feels like taking out the trash every so often), but in my case the value of having this large a screen at a price I can afford is the driving force. I am working on my PhD dissertation, and the ability to have two documents (word and PDF, two word documents, etc.) up at the same time and not having to toggle between them more than trumps that occasional inconvenience. So, I'm staying the course and keeping my dv8000 (while hoping for a patch in the not-too-distant future).

Besides, I get the opportunity to take out the trash a fair amount in the non-virtual world, so I'm rather used to it .

 

Good luck with your dissertation and thanks for re-posting the keyboard information. I have had my dv8000 on standby for a while and I noticed that it's giving me the same annoyance again...as you mentioned. I won't go so far as to say it wouldn't be the keyboard connector because I've seen just about everything in my experiences working on servers (and workstations), but I won't rule out software bugs either. I'm pretty convinced I'm going to stick with the dv8000 now. I tried out the Dell for a while this afternoon and it just feels rickety to me, even though it's faster and the screen is absolutely putrid. I mean there is no comparison at all. I thought what about buying a docking station and another monitor but then that defeats part of the purpose. Also I forgot to mention the danged Dell wobbles with the battery in it. I read another post here where someone had mentioned their brand new Latitude wobbled. The Dell keyboard is not the greatest and I have to say even with the occasional glitches on the HP keyboard it still feels more solid...not to mention I really like the layout. But the screen is no comparison. If all I was doing was spreadsheets the screen would probably not be so important but I do a lot of image processing. I can't imagine what Dell was thinking when they put such a crappy screen on a kickass laptop. Idiots.

 

Well I gave HP a third and fourth chance at fixing their keyboard problem. It was the same as tried on the first notebook and now the third notebook. The old fix was the same as the new. Uninstall the drivers for the keyboard and reboot - basically this with a few more details. Well I'm still getting the hanging cap lock and still getting multiple "c"s and not enough "k"s. I may be be a poor typist, but I have not had any problems like this in my last 25 years with computers. It is too bad too. I custom ordered this last one with all the extra features I was looking for. A real shame that HP screwed themselves with this one. Any chance the new dv9000 will have the same components as the dv8000? All I can say is thank god for Costco. I hate returning computers to them, but hopefully they get all of their money back from HP. It is not their fault. dlj

 

i want(ed) the dv8000t, but now im thinking otherwise...can anyone recommend the Dell Inspiron 9400? or maybe i should just wait for the dv9000's...but then they will be really really expensive!

 

I'd wait for the dv9000z. Better notebook all around. I wouldn't assume it'll be that much more than its predecessor either.

FWIW, my dv8000z's keyboard has become less bad over time. Maybe they just need to be broken in?

 

I just got off the phone with HP--it was the second time they've called me back without my knowledge beforehand. So far, I've been rather impressed with their customer service, but we'll see what happens. My case manager is going to give me a call back tomorrow, and it looks like HP will be sending me a replacement computer. My case was escalated because I would not agree to "purchase a new computer, and then get my refund a few days later." I don't see why I should be held responsible for spending another $2600.00 before getting my refund.

I'm a bit scared to get a replacement computer, because I'm afraid the keyboard issues will be more severe in the newer model. I'll let you all know what happens though.

I also told the guy that I had read about many other people who were experiencing keyboard issues on the dv8000, and I asked if HP was doing anything about it. He told me that they were experiencing a number of problems with the keyboards on this model, and that HP was looking into it.

 

hey everyone, i just had a thought...do you think that the keyboard problem is only in a certain maufacturers units? since, how many different companies build laptops for Hp...i think Compal and Qaunta do, just to name a few.

so what if it is just one manufacturer? can owners verify this?