Hi all, I need your expertise one more time. Problem: OS Win98 NEC Ready 330T 64mg Laptop. I have ducktaped and barbwired it to keep it going but it has a problem I cant fix. permantly. On bootup, the computer has stuck key error messages. first time it was the enter key, definatly not fun it sent me to bios. I couldn't so anything without a enter key. So I went and bought a external, Keyboard to use on my port for the camera. It worked! (The mouse is external also and disabled internally) Ok alls fine and dandy. 2 days later on Bootup I get a stuck key error, this time its the 'K' key. and its not recognising the external keyboard. So I resumed setup after the beeps and installled the external keyboard drivers again and was thinking about reinstalling win98 scince the disk was in. it asked for my pw and hey guess what? the external keyboard is the primary keyboard again! soo I reboot. No error beeps, no stuck key messages. nice. so ok started up and few minutes ago I see 'k' is stuck again and keyboard external not working. grr geting frusterated I opened word to see if I can unstick it and it works fine. not stuck. So here I am, please help me ducktape the pc again.. I have done: ran scandisk from windows not dos (couldn't because of no 'k' key. reinstalled keyboard external driver. scanned for adware, used hijackthis, and jv16 registery cleaner, all found nothing but a few shortcuts missing. Can I have a virus in here? Or ??? Please email me if needed at chieran001@yahoo.com I will try to get back on in a hour or so. If not I will check my email from a internet cafe thats fairly close. Thank you for any help. I'm learning but figure thats a lifetime mission

The stuck key message is part of post. I believe that it will look at the built in keyboard every time you boot regardless of what devices you have plugged into the USB port. It seems the best course of action is to repair the keyboard. The usual cause of sticky keys is dirt. You may be able to prise off the keys and clean the around them. Different manufacturers use different construction.

Many keyboards use a membrane upon which the keys press. You have to take the whole keyboard apart to fix that. I've done it and am using the keyboard now. I'm used to dealing with remotes etc and that helps. Generally I would say it's not worth the bother - it's a long winded operation. To make life easier for yourself I would get a new keyboard, they are as cheap as cheese. Then you will only have one problem to deal with. DerekW

In the bios make sure that your computer is set to boot regardless of if there any keyboard and or disk errors first. As this may solve your whole problem. If not Then You may also want to try simply removing the keyboard from the laptop(the on-board one) usually its just two clips, on the top right and left of the keyboard next to or on where the display swings from the laptops base held in with screws or clips. Then the keyboard should just pop up(sometimes there is a couple more retaining clips or a plastic piece above above the keyboard holding it in also). after than you will see a small ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the laptop it usually has a little retaining clip that holds it to the motherboard. wiggle the little ring up around the clip on the motherboard where the keyboard connects, and a little tug later and the keyboard should be free. This will however make your computer open to spills and you may want to replace the keyboard after it has been disconnected so as to act as cover. Alternately as already discussed replacement of the defective keyboard may be your best and or only option, Depending on if the bios will let you shut off keyboard detection on boot in the first place.

Ooops, sorry, missed the word Laptop in your original post. Forget my #2. DerekW