okay, you techie types..

[netmouse]

Every so often, my down arrow key stops working on my laptop. This is a key I use a lot, so I'm concerned about losing it for good. So far this resets to working if I restart the machine. What should I do to set it right/avoid it in the future?

(I have a Dell Inspiron 2500 running Windows XP)

Comments

[tammylc.livejournal.com]

Can't help. But on my Dell Inspiron 5000, every once in a while when I press the U key the Windows Utility Manager opens and I have to restart to make it stop doing that every time I type the letter U. It's really rather annoying, so I know where you're coming from...

[sorcycat.livejournal.com]

It's possible but not likely that it is a transient mechanical failure of some time - like there could be some grit that prevents contact of the keys to the electical device. It could be that that grit just gets dislodged when you move the laptop around or put it in your bag or something. I have a can of air at work in my office (that I found in the supply drawers). We can clean out your keyboard and see if the situation improves at all.

I think my previous idea about IRQs of off the mark because that would probably affect your whole keyboard - not just one key.

As an additional note: I did break the alt key on my previous laptop due to accessive use (I love alt-tab). It could be the key itself, which a repair shop might be able to fix.