Did my Filco just die?

[Iceman]

I have a Filco Majestouch That I've been using (and enjoying) for the past few months and it's been working great up until a few minutes ago. A little bit ago I went to type something out and noticed that there was no response to my key presses. I shut down my comp and checked the PS/2 connection, the adapter seemed a little "wiggly" but was plugged all of the way in so I started my comp back up. On power up I noticed that all the lights (scroll, caps, and num lock) were staying on (usually they all light up then scroll and caps lock shut off) and the kb still wouldnt recognize any key presses. I shut down again and plugged in my kb via usb and still get the same behavior (all lights on and no response to key presses). Has anyone seen this before? If so can I fix this or is it a warranty issue?

[Iceman]

Sounds like a warranty issue to me.

To be safe I'd plug it into another computer as a final check.

Just plugged it into my laptop via USB and I get the same "all lights on" behavior and windows tells me that the device cant be rcognized and may be malfunctioning (paraphrasing).

[microsoft windows]

If I were you I'd give Filco a  phone call and see if they can replace it.

I've never really had those issues though, since the keyboards I get are the ones that pass the test of time.

[Iceman]

Little update: For Kicks I plugged the keyboard back in to the laptop after leaving it unplugged for a few hours. Windows recognized it, installed the usb drivers, and it worked again. Also plugged it back in to my main comp via PS/2 and now it works there as well. It's back to working like nothing ever happened! Very strange.....

[HaaTa]

The controller probably got stuck at an unexpected state (shame on the controller manufacturers), and took a while to get out of it.

[Iceman]

The controller probably got stuck at an unexpected state (shame on the controller manufacturers), and took a while to get out of it.

Ya it seems to have righted itself, at least for now. I'll just have to keep an eye on it and see if it happens again.

[Iceman]

Kinda like Toyota and electronically controlled gas pedals.  Hope for the best.

Lol, I almost spit out my soda when I read that. Then my keyboard would've really been done for. :rip:

[trievalot]

i haveeeeeeeeee a keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyboard madeeeeeeeeeeeeee by toyota (weeeeeeeeeeeeeell only partly madeeeeeeeeee, theeeeeeeeeeey madeeeeeeeeeee the eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey)

[itlnstln]

The Japanese are blaming the US supplier for tarnishing their country's reputation.
 
They may have a point. We'll see.

In a piece on NPR, a rep/worker/janitor from the US firm (CST or CSI or something) said that the system has been defective for about ten years, but the US firm has only been making the parts for five, thus implying that it's Toyota's design that's at fault and not the manufacturing.  If that's the case (who knows, they were some hicks from Indiana playing pool while getting plastered at a bar across the street from the factory), we might see a form of the whole Ford/Firestone debacle all over again.  That said, the US firm refuses to talk to the press, either because they don't want to say something stupid or they are getting hammered by Toyota on the issue.  Toyota; however, only comprises 3% of the US firm's overall business.

[itlnstln]

That's what people get for trusting electronics without building in failsafe systems.

True that.  I am not a big fan of how eletronic/computer systems have taken over cars, at least in the drivetrain (I wouldn't trade my in-car navigation for anything).  IMO, this creates two related problems: it makes things much more complicated and it makes things much more difficult to repair.  Looking at, say, a '72 Firebird vs. my Ford Edge is like night and day.  The drivetrain on the '72 Firebird is very straightforward, and easy to fix should something go wrong.  The same cannot be said for the Edge.  As things become more complicated, there become more break points, and now Toyota is dealing with a computer issue on the brakes in the Prius.  The number one rule for mechanical systems, IMO, is KISS.  Simple always seems to work better.

[whininggit]

Another reason I prefer to keep my cars basic. If the accelerator gets stuck, I don't want some computer telling me that I can't change to a lower gear or stick it in neutral, or that I can't turn off the ignition, or that I can't apply the handbrake. If I want to blow up the engine/gearbox or risk melting the brakes, yet at least have some chance of avoiding smashing head on into a tree, that should be my choice not some computers.

But ignoring the technology, the thing that annoys me the most about modern cars are when you can't even change a headlight bulb without dismantling the whole front of the car. Who in their right mind would think that the need to remove the bumper to change a bulb is 'good design'?!?

[Mental Hobbit]

Who in their right mind would think that the need to remove the bumper to change a bulb is 'good design'?!?

Repair shops?

[ricercar]

the thing that annoys me the most about modern cars

Why can't you get a metal bumper on a passenger car any more? You tap a light pole and it's $250-500 USD to get replace the scuffed plastic. A metal bumper never even noticed that kind of thing.

[rdjack21]

Why can't you get a metal bumper on a passenger car any more? You tap a light pole and it's $250-500 USD to get replace the scuffed plastic. A metal bumper never even noticed that kind of thing.

That is why you get a Truck Any thing that runs into you just scratches the bumper on your Truck while the other car is a total wreck.

[microsoft windows]

My truck's from 1954 and its definitely seen its fair share of scuffs. But the bumper on that thing would break a power pole before it gets damaged. But, then, if you get in an accident in something like that, crashing into that cast-iron dashboard or the non-collapsible steering column won't be too much fun...

[keyb_gr]

Why can't you get a metal bumper on a passenger car any more? You tap a light pole and it's $250-500 USD to get replace the scuffed plastic. A metal bumper never even noticed that kind of thing.

Now replace light pole with pedestrian. Hmm...

My truck's from 1954 and its definitely seen its fair share of scuffs.

Whoa. A 56-year-old motorized vehicle that's still in regular use isn't the kind of thing one sees all day here (maybe some farmer still has an old tractor but that's about it).

Even my oldest keyboard is only aged 21. I can see these mechanical beasts lasting a really long time though, with maybe the odd electrolytic change or solder joint reflowing. With some bad luck our PS/2-to-USB converters (frequently not openable, with few exceptions like the notorious Blue Cube) would die before the boards do...

[ch_123]

What's the deal with Americans and unfeasibly old pickup trucks?

[kishy]

Couldn't tell ya, but I can tell you I'd leap at a chance to have a '70s-'80s Ford/Lincoln/Mercury full size car.

Trucks...maybe it is an American thing, since I can't see the appeal.

[ricercar]

replace light pole with pedestrian.

But most pedestrians aren't as bright as a light pole.

[itlnstln]

But most pedestrians aren't as bright as a light pole.

Win.

[Iceman]

Sorry to go "off topic" lol but, my keyboard stopped working again yesterday. So, I unplugged it for an hour or so then plugged it back in and it works again. This is really strange and I can't figure out whats causing it. Also, I'm thinking that if I try to send it back for repair EKB will think I'm nuts. If it happens again and I send it back, by the time they receive and test it my keyboard will be working again. I need to find a way to consistently recreate the issue but as for now it appears to be random. The only common thread between the 2 occurrences is that I was using Firefox both times but that could just as easily be coincidence.

[alpslover]

Sorry to go "off topic" lol but, my keyboard stopped working again yesterday. So, I unplugged it for an hour or so then plugged it back in and it works again. This is really strange and I can't figure out whats causing it.

electronics can fail intermittently.  email elitekeyboards and describe all of the troubleshooting you've done and see what they say.

[majestouch]

electronics can fail intermittently.  email elitekeyboards and describe all of the troubleshooting you've done and see what they say.

I agree with this gentleman.

[Iceman]

Well my keyboard stopped working about 3 or 4 times today but I can now tell when it's about to happen. Right before it's about to quit working the output rate slows to a crawl and some key presses aren't even read. About 10 seconds later the keyboard stops responding all together.

I did a little googling and found a blog post about slow PS/2 keyboard response in Windows Vista. The blog suggests adding a registry entry called PollStatusIterations. I assume the entry increases the polling rate for the PS/2 ports but I can't say for sure. I went ahead and added the entry and it seems to have helped as my keyboard has been working flawlessly for the last 3 or 4 hours now. I am NOT calling it fixed yet though because it could just all be coincidence of course. If it does stop working again then I will be returning it for repair. I'll keep you all posted.

[Iceman]

Well I think my Filco has had enough. It works sporadically now but only for 15 to 30 mins at a time. That being said I'm going to see about sending it back for repair.

What's ironic (and somewhat irritating) is that my $9 Microsoft board, that I cant stand, is outlasting my Filco! Oh well, luck of the draw I guess.

[Iceman]

That's OK but I'm sticking with mechanicals - my son has worn out 3 Logitech $10 keyboards but his Unicomp looks and feels as new as the day I bought it after a year of heavy heavy use.

Bummer about the Filco - I hate sporadic problems, the hardest to diagnose but when frequency goes up you know something is going on.

Don't get me wrong I'm still sticking with mechanical boards (it was love at first keystroke after all). I'm just bummed that my Filco died so young and now I'm stuck using this horrendous MS board until I can get it repaired. I'm seriously considering getting an ABS M1 to use while the Filco is getting looked at. I've never used any ALPS type switches (simple or complex) though so I'm not sure what to expect when compared to mx blues.

[itlnstln]

Don't get me wrong I'm still sticking with mechanical boards (it was love at first keystroke after all). I'm just bummed that my Filco died so young and now I'm stuck using this horrendous MS board until I can get it repaired. I'm seriously considering getting an ABS M1 to use while the Filco is getting looked at. I've never used any ALPS type switches (simple or complex) though so I'm not sure what to expect when compared to mx blues.

Just use the MS.  The ABS, IMO, is not worth the money for just a temp 'board.  Get the Scorpius M10 if you really want to buy something.  It's about the same price and has Cherry blues.  IMO, though, I would just use the MS until you get the Filco fixed.

[mp29k]

Just use the MS.  The ABS, IMO, is not worth the money for just a temp 'board.  Get the Scorpius M10 if you really want to buy something.  It's about the same price and has Cherry blues.  IMO, though, I would just use the MS until you get the Filco fixed.

I am suprised you didn't recommend the Ricercar SPOS from the dell small buisness store for $69.99.  Has anyone confirmed that this one has browns?

[itlnstln]

Well, he has blues, so I went that route.  The SPOS 'board is nice, too, for a temp solution.  My biggest issue is spending $50-$80 on a temporary solution to use while the main keyboard is off for repairs. If it's just going to be a couple of weeks, why not use the rubber dome 'board?  It'll make the Filco that much more special when it comes back.

[ricercar]

while the main keyboard is off for repairs

The main keyboard? The? One?

You folks with only one computer amuse me. I use five different machines daily, not including the workplace, and therefore my best five 'boards are all daily drivers.