[comp.sys.hp] Rapid typing problem on 9000/318

tml@hemuli.UUCP (Tor Lillqvist) (01/22/89)

I have a slight problem with our HP9000/318 workstations (with 46021AX
keyboards).  The problem appears both when logging in (when the ITE is in
control?) and under X.  If I rapidly type some characters keeping the SHIFT key
pressed I get extra garbage characters.  For instance if I type VAR followed by
a space, I get VARW<space>.  Similar effects appear with other combinations.  I
can repeat this on all our 318s.  Is this a known bug?
-- 
Tor Lillqvist
Technical Research Centre of Finland, Computing Services
tml@hemuli.uucp == tml%hemuli.uucp@santra.hut.fi

jww@hpfclp.SDE.HP.COM (Jim Wichelman) (01/26/89)

> I have a slight problem with our HP9000/318 workstations ...
> If I rapidly type some characters keeping the SHIFT key
>  pressed I get extra garbage characters.

   There was a known problem with some of these keyboards (from Singapore).
It had to do with improper grounding.  There were all kinds of home-brew
fixes posted in notes.  There is an official fix (I'm trying to track down
the service bulletin number -- If I find it, I'll post it by the end of the
day).  You might want to contact your HP customer support person.  If
he/she is not familiar with the problem, they may want to call the
manufacturing division (Singapore) to get the complete story.

jww@hpfclp.SDE.HP.COM (Jim Wichelman) (01/26/89)

/ hpfclp:comp.sys.hp / jww@hpfclp.SDE.HP.COM (Jim Wichelman) / 11:00 am  Jan 25, 1989 /

> I have a slight problem with our HP9000/318 workstations ...
> If I rapidly type some characters keeping the SHIFT key
>  pressed I get extra garbage characters.

The service note suppliment was number 404.  The particular fix
was 46021A-01A.  There is a little metal spring clip that grounds
the keyboard to a large aluminum plate.  The official fix is to
use a screw and nut to ground the two pieces correctly.  At one
point, HP was offering to replace the keyboards with new ones. I
am not sure if that policy is still in effect.

Good Luck.

andrea@hp-sdd.hp.com (Andrea K. Frankel) (01/26/89)

In article <3901@hemuli.UUCP> tml@hemuli.UUCP (Tor Lillqvist) writes:
>I have a slight problem with our HP9000/318 workstations (with 46021AX
>keyboards).  The problem appears both when logging in (when the ITE is in
>control?) and under X.  If I rapidly type some characters keeping the SHIFT key
>pressed I get extra garbage characters.  For instance if I type VAR followed by
>a space, I get VARW<space>.  Similar effects appear with other combinations.  I
>can repeat this on all our 318s.  Is this a known bug?

I had a similar problem, and it turned out to be a problem with the
keyboard that my local system maintenance fellow had seen before.
Swapping the keyboard fixed it.


Andrea Frankel, Hewlett-Packard (San Diego Division) (619) 592-4664
	"wake now!  Discover that you are the song that the morning brings..."
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harry@hpcvlx.HP.COM (Harry Phinney) (01/26/89)

> For instance if I type VAR followed by
> a space, I get VARW<space>.  Similar effects appear with other combinations.
> Is this a known bug?
> Tor Lillqvist

It (or at least a _very_ similar problem) is a known problem with keyboards
of a certain age.  I suggest you contact your HP service center.

Harry Phinney

wk@hpirs.HP.COM (Wayne Krone) (01/26/89)

> I have a slight problem with our HP9000/318 workstations (with 46021AX
> keyboards).  The problem appears both when logging in (when the ITE is
> in control?)  and under X.  If I rapidly type some characters keeping
> the SHIFT key pressed I get extra garbage characters.  For instance if I
> type VAR followed by a space, I get VARW<space>.  Similar effects appear
> with other combinations.  I can repeat this on all our 318s.  Is this a
> known bug?

There were some keyboards with some part inside the keyboard (a clip
between two boards?) not making good electrical contact.  This results
in extra characters as you described.  There is a simple fix (to the
keyboard), but I'm not sure how you go about getting it.  Have you
tried contacting your HP support organization?

Wayne Krone