[Deltwith]

I have a puzzle. My computer beeps at windows log in. The keyboard is slow to respond and often repeats the password I type in. Also there is a problem with Ctrl+Alt+Del and Ctrl+Shift+Esc when Ctrl+Alt or Ctrl+Shift are on the same side of the keyboard.

The weird thing is that the computer will often say that the password is incorrect the first time only to log in without me typing the password again. I press enter on the incorrect password screen, and it goes back to the log in screen. Then it just logs in without me typing anything again. Sometimes it just logs in straight from the incorrect password screen.

This all started the same time I spilled milk on the bottom of the keyboard and the touch pad. (I didn't cry.) I rinsed it off and dried it out after I pulled the battery. All the keys work. Combinations of keys work (except for Ctrl+Alt+Del and Ctrl+Shift+Esc on the same side). I don't get how it's a hardware issue. It seems like it would be software. I reformatted and factory restored the computer. It still does it. I consider myself computer savvy, but this has me stumped.

Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[Deltwith]

I made a video if it helps. It's an MSI A6400 running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit with an i5-2410M.

Windows 7 64-bit beeps at login. What's wrong? - YouTube

 

[Shekka]

If you plug in a external USB keyboard does it do the same thing?

 

[Shekka]

That's the sound of a stuck key on the keyboard.

 

[spunk.funk]

It sounds like the keyboard and trackpad are somewhat damaged, the beeping being the computer thinking that a key or keys are stuck. Try and external keyboard and mouse. You may need to boot into Setup (Bios) and disable the track pad and the onboard keyboard. If the beeping stops, then you know that is the culprit. Try adding the track pad first. If that doesn't beep then you would need to replace the onboard Keyboard. If you want to get into it, you can open the laptop up and clean the contacts for the keyboard and trackpad to the motherboard with a Q-tip and alcohol.

 

[Deltwith]

It originally beeped with an external keyboard while watching a movie. Took the wireless fob out and it didn't change anything.

The keys work while it's beeping. They are just delayed. They are accurate, even when it beeps.

I really appreciate the help guys. Keep asking and I'll keep troubleshooting.

 

[Deltwith]

I would have cracked it open, but it's under warranty and the protection plan. If it stops beeping without touching it, could it really be the keys being damaged? It doesn't make sense for the hardware to be the culprit when it consistently does it under the same software conditions.

 

[Shekka]

I would try what spunk.funk suggested and try to either disable the keyboard and trackpad in the bios or if you are not able to do that in the bios, you might have to unplug the keyboard from the main board on the laptop. ... Have you taken the keyboard out before?

 

[tyza]

although in my experience if you have a faulty laptop keyboard ,

using a usb keyboard wont stop it from being unstuck,

best to bring it to a shop if you do not feel safe unplugging the laptop keyboard yourself.

 

[Deltwith]

I have not taken the computer apart. I'll have to do that. I'll post back tomorrow. Thanks guys.

 

[Deltwith]

assuming this is a laptop you are speaking of,
In your case you most likely have some keys already stuck , due to liquid damage.

Keep in mind that I have been using the computer for months after I spilled the milk on it. The keys all work. I'm not ruling it out. I didn't know I could disable the hardware in bios. I'm going to do that when I get the chance.

 

[Shekka]

although in my experience if you have a faulty laptop keyboard ,

using a usb keyboard wont stop it from being unstuck,

I should have said more, like what spunk.funk said about turning the onboard keyboard off in the bios. My mistake on that part. Sometimes the brain goes further ahead of my fingers when typing and I don't always catch it! :sheepish grim:

 

[Shekka]

Ha! See what I mean...

 

[Deltwith]

I uninstalled the keyboard in device manager. I then restarted as part of the uninstall process. I went into BIOS to look for how to disable the keyboard, couldn't find anything, and let it load. NO BEEPS!!!

The keyboard obviously re-installed itself, but it hasn't beeped yet. I'm going to restart a few times, but so far so good. I have no clue how uninstalling the keyboard to have it reinstalled would help. It has though. Yay!

 

[Shekka]

That's kind of odd... I would still guess that a key was stuck like the ctrl or alt key perhaps...
Anyway that's great! Hope it stays working for you!

 

[tyza]

wouldn't have to do any unnecessary restarts, just continue to use it normally and come back if the problem persists.

Ctrl+Alt+Del and Ctrl+Shift+Esc

on a side-note ,

keys still working?

p.s remember to mark it as solved if the problem doesn't come back

 

[Deltwith]

Thanks again, but it came back... It had gotten very consistent that it would beep, but apparently I had a few log ins that didn't in a row.

I know I should tear into the computer and clean the keyboard, but I don't want my meddling to mess-up the accidental protection plan I bought. I looked to disable the keyboard in BIOS, but I could find no options related to the keyboard or trackpad.

If my symptoms are:
1. hangs and beeps randomly
2. mouse works during beeping
3. keystrokes during beeping are repeated (each as a single keystroke in order, repeated up to four times). It has on rare occasion continued to beep after it logged in and typed my exact password (with enter) into a document I had open.
4. I can't replicate the beeping by holding keys down
5. Intermittent (some log ins get no beeps, most are one or two, some I just give up and restart.)
6. The mute shortcut (Fn+0) responds and mutes the beeping

Is there another route I can investigate other than removing the keyboard? Any ideas? If some of the keys didn't work or if I got sporadic typing I would have scrapped the keyboard a long time ago. The behavior makes me wonder how the milk could explain everything.

Thanks for all the replies. It's kind of hard to keep up when everyone is chiming in at once.

 

[tyza]

since you have spilled milk on your keyboard , and you said you have warranty,

i think you should send your laptop in while you are still under the warranty.

find something else to do for a few weeks , its better then trying to hold it till the warranty expires,

it is never a good idea to detach laptops unless you are a professional, i am not sure how long ago you spilled your milk but try make sure there is no trace of liquid within your keyboard before you pack it up and send it in. (compressed air blast it or something)

if you wernt under warranty i would of sent you to a computer shop and ask

them to take out the laptop's keyboard and test if the sound stops beeping.

 

[Deltwith]

Well, the manufacturer's warranty isn't going to cover the milk. It's been a couple months. I've just now gotten fed up with it.

The accidental service plan won't touch it unless I caused the damage or the manufacturer's warranty is out. All they will do is give me a gift card to the store I bought this laptop from. Then I'm out the money I spent on the protection plan and won't have enough to replace this laptop. (I got a good deal.) I guess I'm hosed.

I'll take it apart and clean it. I've taken plenty of stuff apart (cars, older laptops, ipads, phones, etc). Worst that will happen is that I get a gift card...

 

[Deltwith]

I was so paranoid about taking the thing apart, but the keyboard comes off without a single screw. The laptop works perfect without the keyboard installed. It's beyond me how the keyboard can work so close to perfect except when the computer starts to lag.

I guess it was sending jumbled garbage to the laptop and the laptop was able to error check and sort out what was good and what was bad until it got behind. That's impressive and odd.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to wait a day before I mark it solved. I'll go give the keyboard an alcohol bath and see if I can find a new one online. Cheers!