Keyboard suddenly disconnects and reconnects constantly

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

This has kept me from doing anything productive, from working to flying, so a little hand would be very welcome right now.

The issue has started about two-three days ago. Every couple of seconds the keyboard disconnects randomly, all lights go off, the key that was last pressed remains stuck for a few seconds and then the keyboard remains off for the next minute. It may go on and off intermittently in the meantime, with the plug-and-play hardware connect/disconnect sound playing on repeat.

What I have noted:

• The offending setup: regular HP p6050 desktop; average USB keyboard; OS: Vista Home Premium
• Changing USB plug does not make a difference
• The keyboard itself works has worked fine for a year, and is working without glitch on a Macbook Air running OSX 10.7.5
• All other peripherals tested on USB hubs do not encounter similar problems in any ports; these include Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS, generic USB mouse, a Samsung external HDD
• The keyboard still faces the same problem even when it is the only peripheral plugged, ruling out conflict
• I have reinstalled the OS twice, once directly over the old install of Vista 64 and the second time a factory-restore to Vista 32, to no avail
• The problem presents itself immediately after the computer turns on and before the OS and any drivers are loaded
• I have reset CMOS and updated the BIOS; no results

In other words, my computer is fighting my keyboard and vice-versa, but the keyboard and the computer appear to be in a good state.

Does anybody have the faintest idea on what could be causing this? Help is appreciated, I have ran out of plans 

Edited January 29, 2016 by Lucas_From_Hell

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Additional note, on Device Manager once the keyboard is plugged in it creates 4 HIDs, 1 mouse and 1 keyboard. Disabling these has had no effect, nor has uninstalling them as PnP quickly brings them back.

 

EDIT: For the time being, it seems disabling an HID running driver 6.0.6001.18000 (MS' Standard HID Keyboard driver) shuts down all false peripherals. Insofar the keyboard has worked constantly for the past 10 minutes, but I will edit this post in a couple of hours to see if it is somehow fixed. Anyone suffering the same problem (though I doubt there is another soul running Vista here), try this fix.

Edited January 29, 2016 by Lucas_From_Hell

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Sadly the problem persists - tried updating the Realtek HD Audio drivers for good measure, removed false entries from the registry, took the KB apart and cleaned it but no joy after all. Ideas are very, very welcome.

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

A little bump never hurt anybody

 

EDIT: New chapter to the odyssey, it seems the problem only presents itself now when the ethernet cable is connected to the PC. The problem presents itself from power-on state, including in the BIOS setup. The problem stops with the ethernet cable pulled from the wall but still connected to the PC. Somehow receiving an ethernet connection is shutting off the keyboard in particular, any ideas?

Edited February 4, 2016 by Lucas_From_Hell

[Bando]

I'm baffled. Does not help, but at least now you know someone reads it.   

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Misery feels better when it's shared

 

So far no luck, and to add to the plot my D-Link USB WiFi adapter is failing to install so I must pick between an internet connection and a keyboard.

 

The PSU appears to be in good order (a few loose screws were tightened and stopped a weird noise it was making before and the problem happens regardless of the number of devices connected), the problem happens even before drivers or the OS are loaded and somehow the ethernet cable is a trigger and possible culprit. Jolly!

[216th_Peterla]

Hi Lucas,

Sorry to hear about your problems. Did you try some neighbor keyboard just to be sure that is not that? Do you have any windows update or driver update lastly?

Looks like the only one that can give you a hand is the one on your profile pic 

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

I might request his services indeed should nothing else work.

 

Haven't had the chance to try a different keyboard but I'll see if the neighbour has one to spare tomorrow. I'm also considering trying a PS/2 adapter if I come across one to rule out USB-related problems. No driver or updates involved here - initially I attempted a system restore, then reinstalling all concerned drivers and others that may be conflicting, moved onto a full Windows reinstall and finally restored the computer to factory settings. Despite that, there were no changes although it briefly worked randomly for a day then resumed faulty behaviour. Them bloody aliens...

[216th_Peterla]

Just let us know what you find. I hope you can get it working soon. I hate when the computers behave in that way...but in my end I am always the one who messed up things :-)

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

I've given it a couple of days to see how it fares - insofar the new keyboard is working. It borked up twice at what seemed to be a PSU drop, since the DVD drive quit for a few seconds as well. Otherwise working perfectly. Thanks for the suggestion, and everyone for your empathy during the time of need

[Bando]

So it was the old keyboard then?

Sometimes stuff like this can make you crazy.