Intermittent Wireless Keyboard

[gibbs1984]

Hi,

Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon, 64 bit.

Recently my Microsoft Wireless Multimedia Keyboard 1.1 has stopped working, well not completely.

Sometimes it'll work, it'll only work for about 20 seconds and then stop again.

I've changed the batteries (twice) and it makes no difference.

I never, ever had this problem with Mint 18.3 and even early on in Mint 19 it was working fine but in the last few days it's all gone wrong, I have looked in the Update Manager and there was a keyboard configuration update, could that have done something?

I have installed the microcode updates today and restarted but it's made no difference. It could be just that the keyboard is on its way out but I just don't think so.

Code: Select all

steve@steve:~$ lsusb
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 0bc2:3300 Seagate RSS LLC 
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 003: ID 045e:009d Microsoft Corp. Wireless Optical Desktop 3.0
Bus 005 Device 008: ID 1d57:ad17 Xenta 
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 003: ID 1a2c:0c21 China Resource Semico Co., Ltd 
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 0a12:0001 Cambridge Silicon Radio, Ltd Bluetooth Dongle (HCI mode)
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
steve@steve:~$ 

I've now using a cheap rubbish wired keyboard to keep me going.

[ClixTrix]

On the possibility of a recent update as cause, try booting from Live CD/Flash and see if the problem persists.

[majpooper]

I know this is not helpful - but a "I feel your pain".
My HP wireless keyboard was always intermittent - very very annoying. However the wireless mouse that came with it works like a charm. Also I have a Logitech wireless keyboard that works great but it has a integrated touch-pad and I hate touch-pads.
Solution: Logitech wireless keyboard (ignore the touch-pad) plus HP wireless mouse.

[gibbs1984]

On the possibility of a recent update as cause, try booting from Live CD/Flash and see if the problem persists.

Yeah good thinking, tried the Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon LiveCD and the keyboard wasn't working, changed the batteries again and it didn't work so was ready to give up, started pressing a few keys randomly in frustration and it's working perfectly now.

No idea if that's just coincidence or not but it hasn't cut out yet, will keep an eye on it but does look to be a hardware issue rather than software though.

Will have a look round for some other decent keyboards just in case this one goes again.

[gibbs1984]

Nope, stopped working again. Think I might start looking for another keyboard but if it is a software issue will I have this issue with another keyboard?

[AZgl1500]

I suggest you dump the MS kybd and get a LogiTech wireless keyboard with the mouse included.

I have one, and it has worked now for 10 years like a charm.

[shaun_m_b]

Hi, Im looking for a wireless keyboard for my lenovo thinkpad with linux mint , you were saying " LogiTech wireless keyboard with the mouse included." Which style model number would that be? Im upgrading because the keyboard lost a letter and is kind of bulky. Just bought an apple magic keyboard, bluetooth is not recognizing the device doesnt work on linux mint, yet, but it works on the mac compatible laptop it have. Thank you for the help.

[shaun_m_b]

The Logitech MK 235 keyboard and mouse. Even says on the box for Win, Chrome, and Linux.Saw it on display in Staples. Havent got it yet , thats an option.Yes.

[AZgl1500]

The Logitech MK 235 keyboard and mouse. Even says on the box for Win, Chrome, and Linux.Saw it on display in Staples. Havent got it yet , thats an option.Yes.

don't recall if my LogiTech keyboard and mouse was that exact model,
but it works on WinXX and Linux like a champ.

[cliffcoggin]

Just a week ago I took a chance on a Logitech MK330 wireless keyboard and mouse as they were cheap. It was a chance because Logitech could not confirm they would work with Linux, however they instantly worked on both my Linux drive and my Windows drive. I have had no trouble at all with them, though naturally I can not say yet how long the batteries will last.

[AZgl1500]

Just a week ago I took a chance on a Logitech MK330 wireless keyboard and mouse as they were cheap. It was a chance because Logitech could not confirm they would work with Linux, however they instantly worked on both my Linux drive and my Windows drive. I have had no trouble at all with them, though naturally I can not say yet how long the batteries will last.

about a year it seems, mine was 3 years old and getting flaky, changed the battery and it was fixed....