usb - Gaming keyboard G265 not responsive and backlight keeps flashing

08
2014-07
  • Esge

    My new Genius G265 gaming keyboard is not responsive and keeps flashing the backlight. In Windows I hear repeating ding sounds as if I removed the keyboard and plugged it back in. If I manage to turn off the backlight (with a Fn key), flashing and sounds stop and the keyboard works fine. But as soon as I turn backlight back on, it starts flashing again.

    EDIT:

    Looks like the keyboard lights are drawing more power than USB is able to provide, though an external 2.5" drive is working fine in the same port. I suppose the keyboard isn't more power hungry than a hard disk? I also tried to plug the keyboard into different ports with same result.

    The computer is custom built with following components: Win 8.1, Cooler Master K350 600W, GIGABYTE Z87-HD3, i5-4670K, GIGABYTE N760OC-4GD, 8GB RAM, Intel SSD 520, Seagate Barracuda 7200

    My question is whether this is a faulty keyboard or is something wrong with the PC (motherboard, component selection, build)?

    EDIT 2:

    I'm a bit concerned about the graphic card power. It requires both PCI-e 8 and PCI-e 6 pin cables to be connected, however the PSU only has one. The other one I got through an adapter from two peripheral 4 pin connectors (on the same cable). Could this be drawing too much power from 5V supply?

    EDIT 3:

    I tried to connect the keyboard through a powered hub and it works!

    However I don't understand why it still works even if I disconnect external power from the hub. Can someone explain this?

    • Answers
  • CharlieRB

    To know if the keyboard is defective, connect it to another computer to see if the problem is consistent.

    If it is, contact Genius for support.

    If it works properly, then you have something wrong with your system. There is no way for us to be able to tell you exactly what. Make sure you have the latest BIOS and/or drivers for your motherboard.


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  • Matthew

    I was recently caught in a thunderstorm with no umbrella while my laptop was in my backpack. Since then, when I press keys on the right side of my keyboard, it registers them as several keypresses. For example, Backspace is interpreted as Backspace f. n is interpreted as space n.

    My laptop is not under warranty, and I do not want to pay for a diagnostic. I am prepared to purchase and install a replacement keyboard, but I want to be sure my symptoms are indicative of a problem with the keyboard itself, rather than some deeper problem.

    Note: When I plug in an external keyboard, it works perfectly.

    Edit: I replaced my keyboard, and still have the same symptoms.


    • Related Answers
  • Dustin G.

    That is a symptom of a keyboard that has water / moisture damage. Diagnostic tools really don't dig into issues like that anyway - buy a replacement keyboard.

    I work in PC repair and have seen this many times...

  • Daniel R Hicks

    Yes, what you describe is consistent with water damage to the keyboard.

    There is some slight potential of recovering a water-damaged keyboard by following the advice here.

    However, since you say that the keyboard is still failing after replacement, it's likely that one of the connections to the keyboard had become shorted out. I'd suggest first examining the cables that connect to the keyboard, and any interfacing connectors. Look for spots where water ran into the works and perhaps carried some dust with it, resulting in a partial short. You may even want to try washing some parts per the above instructions. (Most electronic parts can stand washing if you don't submerge them too long, and dry them thoroughly -- at least 24 hours.) Or you can buy an electronic cleaner spray at Radio Shack or an electronic supply house and give that a try.