From: Rich_Chong_at_mail.share.org
Date: Sat Oct 03 1998 - 10:13:27 EDT
All keyboards have this problem to some extent. The beeping keyboard you
describe isn't buffer overrun, it's the effects of the way the keyboard
matrix is wired up. There isnt a set of wires to each key, but it's in some
form of x-y matrix. The effect is known as key rollover. It's basicly
happens because you're not releaseing keys fast enough and having too many
down at once (also because of keyboard design). To see this, bring up a dos
window (or boot up plain old dos from a floppy to prove it isnt OS
dependent), and press down a few keys without releasing (quickly to avoid
the typamatic feature kicking in). 2-key rollover (rare) keyboards let you
type any two keys and will either ignore or give an incorrect third key
depression. n-key rollover keyboards do better, but many times only
guarantee at least any three keys.
With a desktop pc, you could just swapout and try another keyboard, with
laptops, about your only recourse, is to learn to type a little differently
(more of a pecking motion without resting your fingers on the keys).
Keyboards are religion to many. I miss the dual-injection molded lettering
keys that can never rub off.
Rich
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.3 : Thu Jan 23 2003 - 09:54:25 EST