Computer periodically overwhelmed by phantom keypresses

[zzz]

Once every few weeks, I'll be typing along, and all of a sudden, endless repetitions of the letter 'w' will start to appear in whatever program I'm in. Switching the focus to another program simply redirects the stream of 'w's (always 'w's) to that other program. The only way to get rid of the problem is to reboot.

At first, the most obvious culprit seemed to be the keyboard, so I swapped it out for a known good keyboard. This made no difference whatsoever.

My keyboard is connected to my computer by a PS-2 extension cable, and while cable failures are typically rare, this cable is about 24 years old. As it's very cheap to replace, I ordered a replacement cable, and I hope that it will fix this problem.

Is there any way that this could be a software problem? I don't see how. If swapping the extension cable out for a new one doesn't fix the problem, it seems to me that the evidence points to the motherboard, and that a motherboard replacement would be required. (I just replaced the power supply, with no effect.) Does my reasoning seem to be correct? If the cable replacement doesn't fix the problem, is there anything other than the motherboard that could be causing the problem?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Digerati]

I am confused. You said you tried a different keyboard and got the same results. Then you say something about an extension cord. So did the 2nd keyboard run through this same extension cord? Have tried without the extension cord?

Have you tried connecting a keyboard via USB instead of PS-2?

Tell us more about your computer and version of Windows? Have you have scanned for malware?

Cable failures are rare when the cable never moves. But if the cable is regularly moved about, they will eventually wear out. And 24 years is a very long time. The copper inside is not the problem, but the insulation can break down (especially if exposed to the sun/UV). And connectors can wear out - especially if the cables entering the connector is subjected to movements, tugs and trip-overs.

 

[zzz]

I am confused. You said you tried a different keyboard and got the same results. Then you say something about an extension cord. So did the 2nd keyboard run through this same extension cord? Have tried without the extension cord?

Both keyboards used the extension cord. Unfortunately, my keyboard is far enough away from the computer that the extension cord is a necessity. I can't simply hook up the keyboard directly, as it's not really usable that way (far from the monitor and all that), and this problem happens only once every few weeks. Although a cable problem does seem unlikely, it is also the easiest to check for, so I have ordered a replacement cable for $5 and will see if this fixes the problem.

Have you tried connecting a keyboard via USB instead of PS-2?

No; I don't have the necessary hardware on hand. However, I suppose that if I get the same problem with the new PS-2 cable, this might be something cheap to try, as it's possible that the PS-2 port on the motherboard has simply gone bad. Does this sound reasonable?

Tell us more about your computer and version of Windows? Have you have scanned for malware?

I am running the latest version of Windows 10 x64. The computer is home built. The CPU is an Intel i5-4670K (first generation Haswell), while the motherboard is an ASRock Z87 OC Formula. The CPU was overclocked at 4.7GHz for several years with zero problems; I am currently running it at 4.4Ghz, and still getting the phantom keypresses.

I have always run good antimalware; I have never had a malware infection. I am currently running the Pro version of Malwarebytes, which scans daily. My firewall is the free Comodo firewall.

 

[Digerati]

Does this sound reasonable?

Yes, but that motherboard certainly supports USB keyboards. I would certainly go that way instead of PS/2 if possible. You might also consider a wireless keyboard.

Since PS/2 is really an obsolete I/O interface, does your keyboard maker even provide a W10 driver for it?

BTW, Windows Defender plays really well with Malwarebytes Premium without hogging resources or causing conflicts. That's what I am doing on 3 systems here. In your Malwarebytes menu, under Settings > Application > Windows Action Center, tick the button for "Never register Malwarebytes in the Windows Action Center". This step will stop Windows Defender from disabling itself when Malwarebytes is detected.

Don't let anyone tell you Windows Defender is not capable of protecting you. Those people are most likely just Microsoft haters. While Microsoft does not code WD to score well in simulated lab tests (because they don't need the advertising fodder), do note Windows Defender keeps getting better and better and even bested many fan favorites in AV-Test's latest round of tests in the critical category of "Protection" (click in the Protection column title to sort). When run with Windows 10, it beat out the likes of Panda, Norton, Trend Micro, VIPRE, Avira, BullGuard, ESET and others!

While Comodo is a nice firewall, the Windows Firewall is nothing to sneeze at either - and very light on resources too.

I am not suggesting you change from your current setup. I am just saying don't let rumors and falsehoods stop you from using Windows 10 WD and WF.