Search box fills up with apostrophes

PAB

Member
Good morning,

I had a problem where when i clicked on the start button the start search box filled up with apostrophes, I had to use the backspace to get rid of them, and even then, on the odd occassion it would start filling up again with apostrophes. I only knew this was happening because I heard a continuous sound coming fro my computer and when I clicked on the start button the start search box was filling up with apostrophes again.

I had other problems as well so I clean installed Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit.
I am still having the same problem even after the clean install.

I can't seem to find anything with regard to my specific problem on Google so I am asking here for any help of advice please.

Thanks in advance.
 

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Can you try another keyboard?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
Thanks for the reply townsbg.

Unfortunately it is on my laptop.

EDIT: I should have said that it is not a sticky key!
 

My Computer

Gently pries off the apostrophe key and free it up as it sounds like a stuck key to me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD
    1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp
    1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset.
    Only ever used a laptop.
    Also use USB Freeview TV Card
    Lenovo Docking Station
    External Speakers
    Other bits a pieces as needed
Thanks for the reply ilikefree,

I have checked the key by taking it off and found nothing unusual, the key was smooth and free in its operation. I then re-seated it back and started the laptop.
Still the same proble.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I have done all the updates avaiable in case it was something to do with an old version of something that I had insalled or was on the reinstall disc.
 

My Computer

Thanks for the reply townsbg.

Unfortunately it is on my laptop.

EDIT: I should have said that it is not a sticky key!

You can still use a USB keyboard with a laptop and it would help to track down the problem
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD
    1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp
    1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset.
    Only ever used a laptop.
    Also use USB Freeview TV Card
    Lenovo Docking Station
    External Speakers
    Other bits a pieces as needed
Unfortunately I don't have a USB keyboard at my disposal.
I have just checked that I have the latest driver installed for my keyboard and I have.
 

My Computer

Well, I have been mucking around with this all day on and off, without success I might add.
If anyone has got any ideas they would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance.
 

My Computer

The general consensus seems to be the keyboard.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
Does this happen immediately after you click on Search or after you selected For Files and Folders?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
Similar problems were reported in this old thread and there seemed to be a variety of reasons.
Keys repeat uncontrollably

Perhaps you will see something that looks familiar? If you are hearing a noise that could suggest the computer is busy doing more than typing, so check task manager as one of the people in the thread did.
Does it only happen with the start button and search box? Or if you open a text file, word document etc. does it enter apostrophes there too?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
Thanks for the replies.

Sorry I haven't replied I have been away for a while.
gonzo24, that does sound very interesting and I will look at that shortly.
 

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