quote from post above: "If an external keyboard does not display the same symptoms, it would be pointless to blame the behavior on a virus or any other form of malware." While generally this might be a logical assumption, a number of recent events seem entirely too coincidental, indicating that perhaps there are other causes. The following notes I hope are clear enough -- Notes: Recently our router w/firewall broke (? -- could connect only with wireless machines, no wired connections would work). While waiting for a replacement, we (stupidly?) took turns directly connecting 2 daily updated with virus-protection and security patches machines to the modem. Shortly thereafter the keyboard on the XP laptop starts acting like a key is stuck. Since we have had keyboard problems on it b4, we assumed as above that mebbe it was yet another problem. However, after adding another keyboard to this XP laptap: the new keyboard works, the appearance of a key-stuck syndrome still exists. Now that might be expected, but, the key stuck syndrome appears at bootup when checking bios. Changing the bios etc. is tricky as the kernel boot sequence is seeing many keystrokes: have to beat out the repetitive one. All that started Nov 5. The kicker is that on Nov 15 the other machine used without a router, a win2K desktop, started exhibiting the same symptoms. 1. It has proven virtually impossible so far trying to get into the bios on the XP laptop. (to set up booting from CD, to switch keyboard settings, etc.) It is unclear if I should try to run the Emergency Repair Disk on the win2K machine with a different keyboard, or just go thru the virus/hijack scanning routines suggested in forums (this is assuming I can get a second keyboard to work). Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

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A stuck key on a laptop will still be stuck with an external keyboard connected. Most laptops will respond to both keybords. The fact that the symptoms are exhibited during post excludes the possibility of a traditional virus being the cause. Your computer is completely unaware of the existnce of windows or any other software at this stage of the boot process. A repair install might be fun, but futile. Whilst 2 keybords developing problems my seem very coincidental, stranger thing happen at sea. This thread is getting old. If you need further help, it would be a good idea to start a new one, which can concentrate on your particular problem. I only saw your post because I have been a little slack in deleting older entries in my message list.

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hmm, ok, can start a new posting, but not sure where -- if this is not a bios virus type situation, then, if granted this is not a coincidence with the 2 keyboards, would this be best posted in the general computing forum, or ?

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That depends on what you think is happening. If you still think it might be the work of a root kit, then this is the correct forum. If you need assistance is cleaning the laptop keyboard, then the 'Hardware' forum would be the place to post. I certainly would try another keyboard on the desktop machine to ascertain exactly what is happening.

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