Computer Typing By Itself

[redagent001]

Hey all,

Please I have exercised everything I can think of tonight concerning a computer typing by itself.

70-12 is the repeated input that appears in word, Drake Software, browser, any text box the cursor is sitting including the text box logon when you put your windows password in.

I have checked sticky keys, macros, scanned using Malware bytes, super anti spyware and cc cleaner. No results of any infection.

I even unplugged the internet and it still happens. What programs can be triggered to do this? Most of my research is stating macros or a key-logger.

It started a while after connecting a new keyboard to a windows 7 desktop. Its a corsair strafe. Now mines work great at home but my boss bought one for her computer. The thing is after we thought it was the keyboard we changed to a regular kb and still does the same thing.

No i also noticed there were times when I heard a sound with it prior to it typing. a random windows sound.

I dont know. Any ideas can really help me right now. I even created opened another account that was never used and same characters.

I feel its a program that was triggered that may use macro or some for of auto key. how do i detect it. I have checked office word and her drake software (which is a tax prep program). What can I do before last resorts such as reformat. please dont tell me that (sad face)

 

[MDD1963]

This sounds more like an end-user question, vice a question from an actual tech looking for assistance... (unless I am misinterpreting what I am reading...)

 

[Mick]

autoruns, for starters. Also, c cleaner isn't a malware detection/removal program.

 

[ZenTree]

Maybe, maybe not. Anyway...

We used to use this scenario as one of our screening questions for potential technicians. The answer we were looking for was that the user had an unused wireless mouse/keyboard dongle installed and it was picking up a signal from another user in the same office.

.

Sneaky interview question!

@OP Does issue occur in safe mode?

 

[glennd]

Safe mode, autoruns, task scheduler, linux boot, then start disconnecting hardware

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

70-12 hmm how often does this happen is it a set time between inputs? When the input occurs and repeated does the cursor jump to the end...what I mean is lets pretend | is the cursor.

Does it go like this 70-1270-12| when it repeats? is the text instant or is it typed really fast?

 

[redagent001]

70-12 hmm how often does this happen is it a set time between inputs? When the input occurs and repeated does the cursor jump to the end...what I mean is lets pretend | is the cursor.

Does it go like this 70-1270-12| when it repeats? is the text instant or is it typed really fast?

Its instant. it does not really type it i suppose. I have watched it appear as that number or string at the same time. Not really single text after another. Its weird. I feel its a driver issue.

I have to pay more attention to that cursor when i return back at the office.

 

[redagent001]

This sounds more like an end-user question, vice a question from an actual tech looking for assistance... (unless I am misinterpreting what I am reading...)

No end user. I have never run into this problem. Similar issues where I was able to fix it. But this in some ways different. I feel i am over looking something so simple then all the obvious I thought it would be from past experience. (sticky keys or macros) Anyways I was rushing when I typed it. Long late night and i was ready to sleep.

 

[TazUk]

Hi, you mention the keyboard is a Corsair Stafe, looking on their website it says the follows:-

"The Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) unlocks amazing keyboard programmability. Reassign any key or set up the most extreme macros for outrageous gaming control."

Did you install this?

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Not really single text after another.

What do you mean? so it doesnt just keep repeating?

 

[nlinecomputers]

If you had this happen after plugging in the keyboard you may have fried the keyboard controller. Test in Linux to rule that out.

 

[Markverhyden]

What happens when the machine is shutdown, all devices unplugged, and powered up?

 

[redagent001]

I want to look into the HID drivers and reinstall them. It had to happen from changing to the new keyboard which have macros and even though i uninstalled that software . . . left over programs could do this.

 

[redagent001]

What do you mean? so it doesnt just keep repeating?

Well instead of it typing like one by one character. it appears all characters at the same time. And will repeat that way. I know Its hard to explain it. But the characters are appearing at the same time repeatedly. If that makes more sense. sorry

 

[redagent001]

Hi, you mention the keyboard is a Corsair Stafe, looking on their website it says the follows:-

"The Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) unlocks amazing keyboard programmability. Reassign any key or set up the most extreme macros for outrageous gaming control."

Did you install this?

I did eventually. But she was having a similar issue before it. According to her. which I remember witnessing once or twice. but assumed it was a keyboard issue and changed keyboards. and for a while it was not doing anything. So now since she tried using it again to see if it was just her. Its happening again. and now even going back to the standard keyboard its just happening.

light bulb. I really feel now its gotta be that damn new keyboard and its drivers maybe or some weird macro as you mentioned. Some of the missing pieces are returning. As I can remember normal before going back to her new keyboard with that Corsair Utility Engine. I did uninstall it. That's the thing. but its still happening. What I need to do is see if the drivers still exist in the HID/drivers manager. Uninstalling may not have touch the installed drivers.

 

[nlinecomputers]

If you had this happen after plugging in the keyboard you may have fried the keyboard controller. Test in Linux to rule that out.

Just gonna mention this again before you chase your tail try to pin software issues when it's really hardware.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

You did not mention about how often it occurs, is it like a set interval?

if you open up calc.exe and leave it as the active window does it input anything into the calculator?

What kind of mouse is being used? Is it a gaming mouse that perhaps has built in memory that can save macros and such? If so have you tried it without the mouse?

You could try process monitor to try to determine if any software is doing anything at the time the issue occurs.

 

[Tom_Sand]

Just to add, my k/b stores the macros in the keyboard, if it does the same just uninstalling the software won't stop the k/b from executing the macro, reinstall and check the software to see if has any stored

 

[nlinecomputers]

Just to add, my k/b stores the macros in the keyboard, if it does the same just uninstalling the software won't stop the k/b from executing the macro, reinstall and check the software to see if has any stored

I think the OP mentioned changing KBs so that puts it on the computer not the KB and that theory could be tested by plugging in the KB into another PC. If it is the keyboard at fault it should continue on any PC it is plugged up to.

 

[Tom_Sand]

Missed that, well spotted, in that case im with you, try it in Linux to rule out hardware fault, if Linux is fine, maybe look in services and look for anything you don't recognise