The keyboard does not recognize the key combination (279127)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000
  • Microsoft Digital Media Pro Keyboard
  • Microsoft Internet Keyboard
  • Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro software version 5.1
  • Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000
  • Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard
  • Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
  • Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard
  • Microsoft Natural Keyboard
  • Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite
  • Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro
  • Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth 2.0
  • Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000
  • Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 v2.0
  • Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000
  • Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000
  • Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 4000
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 2.0
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 5000
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Comfort Edition
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Elite
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Pro
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Pro 2.0
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 3000
  • Wireless Optical Desktop 3000
This article was previously published under Q279127

SYMPTOMS

When you press more than one key at the same time on one of the Microsoft keyboards that are listed in the "Applies To" section, you may experience one of the following symptoms:
  • The keyboard may not accept input from some of the keys that you press.
  • The keyboard may send an error code to the computer that causes the computer to beep.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if the keyboard cannot identify each key that you pressed at the same time.

MORE INFORMATION

Keyboards scan the keys to detect which keys are pressed. The keys are arranged electrically into a set of rows and columns. When you press more than one key at the same time, the keyboard may not be able to uniquely identify each key.

For example, if you press a combination of keys that are in the same column, such as 2, W, S, and X, the keyboard cannot correctly identify each key.

However, if you press one or two of the following keys in combination with another key on the keyboard, the keyboard correctly identifies the key combination:
  • ALT
  • CTRL
  • SHIFT
  • Windows logo key
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/7/2006
Keywords:kbHardware kbprb KB279127
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.