Problem with XP - volume and random characters on screen

[angeldanny87]

Hello from Italy, hope y'all can help me out:

I run Win Xp sp2 on Hp Pavilion 7210it series, 1.5GB RAM, Dual 1,6GHZ, NVIDIA 8400GS, Realtek audio card, random hp keyboard and mouse.
Here's my problem: it's 2 days now since my volume (icon in right low angle, on the taskbar) keeps going mute by itself, I don't know if it's some virus of malfunction of the keyboard or software; I hear it beep a few times, beep from inside pc, then it goes mute:


Second problem is with random characters appearing on the screen while audio goes off, if I have a search bar/text box clicked on or selected then these characters pop outta nowhere (while I was writing this post I got random chars "<gff" from nowhere, some minutes ago stuff like ">àà00", few hours ago twice the date and time like "16:34 4/11/2011 16:34 4/11/2011" etc). I was trying to figure if they make any sense, like addresses or comands of trojans/viruse/malware but nothing; besides this some windows or Firefox tabs close by themselves like someone's pressing Esc. I suspect the keyboard but besides using another one I'd like to know if I can use some kid of software to check!

I performed scans with Avira, Hijackthis, Ccleaner, Spybot S&D, Spyware doctor, Malwarebytes, Security Task Manager, Trojan Remover and cleaned everything there was to clean (for 2 trojans found by spyware doctor I hade to go safemode and delete the registry and files in system32 folder and after another scan it found nothing else, scanned with all software again one at the time and nothing). Even after scan tough the problem goes on, the volume goes mute, random characters and closed tabs or windows!

I don't know if it's some hardware problem and don't know how to check or what software to use in order to detect errors, trobleshooting software or such!

Please help! I know it's easier to format c:\ but I'd lose some days on order to restore all and install al software I currently use, plus if might be a hardware problem...
Could you please give some advice?

Thanks,
Danny

[mjc]

random hp keyboard

You can try updating the software for the keyboard. HP should have the download for it...but, HP keyboards are notorious for not lasting very long. If you had this keyboard for more than a couple of years...then, swap it out with something else.

The kind of problems you are seeing are typical of a multimedia keyboard (one with volume controls and such built in) dying. The reason it seems like someone is pressing the ESC key is because it IS being pressed (or at least the keyboard thinks it is). Basically the keyboard has developed an intermittent internal short...usually because the little pads have worn out and don't come up off the traces on the circuit board any longer, when you release a key.

[LochLomonder]

Is this a wireless keyboard relying on batteries to power it? If so, try replacing them first. When the batteries are nearly exhausted, I've seen them create all sorts of weird and wonderful effects when it comes to generating random characters.

[angeldanny87]

usually because the little pads have worn out and don't come up off the traces on the circuit board any longer, when you release a key.

Thanks for the prompt answer!

Keyboards don't cost that much so I can try a new one, but meanwhile would you suggest I try cleaning the one I have now? Do you think it might change anything?

[angeldanny87]

Is this a wireless keyboard relying on batteries to power it?

No sir, old fashion PS2 connector! Maybe too old

[mjc]

I've trashed more HP multimedia keyboards for doing stuff like this, than I care to count.