Function Key Indicators stop working

[Guest]

[BossHogg]

Is this a known bug?...

After leavign Vista runnign for a while or after resume from Standby (not sure which) my little LEDs at the side of the Function Keys no longer iluminate. Also Fn+KBD no longer switches on the keyboard illumination.

So far I've always noticed it when using Office 2007 outlook, but not sure if there is a correlation. Currently installing Office SP1 just in case.

The 'stickyness' is still working though and can obviously confuse as there is no way to know if Shift, Fn, Ctl or Alt are primed, or permanently 'on'.

After a reboot (and during boot process) they work so it is not a hardware issue.

I also find that the Power button stops working (Stby). It again is a software issue as holding it in for 10 Sec does a full power-off. If I select Standby from within Vista this still works so it is something to do with the event not getting picked up.

Any advice appreciated.

I've latest Bios, BT & OQO Manager, Vista Ult.
 

[mwoodnett]

Hi,

How long have you owned the OQO?
I have had this issue with 2 of the three units I have had so far. I RMA'd 3 so far although I am not sure if there are fixes for it, perhaps some advice from more senior menbers will show that there is an easy fix...

Hope this helps.

I pick number 4 up tomorrow and prey its ok.

Mwoodnett.

[BossHogg]

Only a few weeks. It's actually my 2nd unit as the first had dodgy touch scrollers (random movement generated).

The indicators lights are again working, but it just seems that every time I boot Vista it acts slightly different. They work fine during boot so I think it is a software/driver issue.

It has now started playing videos with stuttering sound. That is after runnign through all the performance tweaks recommended. Seems more responsive but can't play videos with stuttering...arghh!

[OQOTrek]

Try This:

In BIOS  / System Configuration
Change Restore OQO EC Defaults from Disabled to Next Boot
Reboot

Everytime I have a keyboard Issue I try this first.

[BossHogg]

Tried that (even though it's not clear to me what it does?), no change.

The Keyboard & Power button work for a while after any reboot but always fail. I've raised a support question so hopefully Dennis's guys will be able to help me.

Text of question...
Under Vista Ultimate I keep getting a problem where the keyboard/power button stops workign properly.

It seems to be after a period of operation when it has got very hot (almost too hot to hold comfortably). Even with perfomance set to Cool rather than Quiet.

The keyboard responds as normal, but will not change backlighting on or off, and FN, SHIFT, CTL & ALT Leds remain 'stuck'. They still function but you cannot tell what state they are in (off, primed, or on).

The power button has no response, unless you hold it in for the full 10sec to do a complete power-off.

Even more bizzare, if you go into Standby or Shutdown, via Vista Start menu, it does so but leaves the Power button and (if stuck on) the keyboard backlight, illuminated. Removign the Battery seems the only way to get out fo this state.

Once booted back up it will work again as norman for an indeterminate length of time.

I'll let you know the outcome, but suspect it might need a hardware swap (yet another painful backup/restore), argh!.

[OQOTrek]

Then as a "last" resort. I move all my data off the system and
run the recovery cd.

With this baseline, I see if the problem is still present.   If not,
I know it was software related.  If it does, then I start thinking
hardware. 

I'm so quick now, I can rebuild my system back in a few hours.
with little to no loss of data.

(but that's just me) 

[mwoodnett]

BossHogg,

Did you get a reply yet? This issue is plaguing me too... No just with vista either, its the same on XP

Mwoodnett

[mwoodnett]

C'mon chaps, there must be a fix for this and there must be more people suffering with this problem because all 5 of my units have suffered with this problem albeit to varying degrees. If you know a fix for this please help us. The Bios reset EC defaults does not cure this by the way.

Mwoodnett

[stang]

hi, i have a similar issue... is there a fix out there?

oqo model 01+, running xp tablet.

on battery, when i come out of standby, the Shift, FN, and Alt LED's will glow steady. the screen will come on and the pointer, stylus, and keyboard all lock up. oqo is pretty much frozen, i have to take out the battery.

strangely enough if i hook up keyboard/mouse i can control oqo and restart it.

also strangely enough this standby problem does not exist when unit is plugged into AC; goes in and out of standby, no problem.

now with hibernation, i can, on battery power, go in and out of hibernation.

what's up? is there a fix? it is so frustrating not to be able to standby. my temporary fix is to go in/out of hibernation.

well, thanks in advance to anyone who can fix or point me in the right direction...

[BossHogg]

Had two replies so far (the first seems to indicate that the problem/question was not read properly)...

1st Response:-
Try moving the fan control up:
CP/ OQO Settings/ Performance Tab /Cooler.
(Replied sayign I'd tried that, made little difference)

2nd Response:-
Use an external keyboard to access the BIOS and Restore EC defaults as part of your troubleshooting on these when the built-in keyboard isn’t working.

How to access OQO's BIOS mode:
1. Shut your OQO down (OFF)
2. Turn the OQO on (power button blue)
   press FN key twice (Led ON) and
   then repeatedly pressing the Delete key (above the mouse pointer)
   once a second.

Restore EC defaults:
In BIOS  / System Configuration
Change Restore OQO EC Defaults from Disabled to Next Boot Reboot  (use spacebar)

As I'd pointed out "The Keyboard responds as normal..." there is no need for external Keyboard. I've responded sayign I tried this but still doign it.

I'm not so sure now that it is heat related as if I power on in my Dock, and used external Keyboard/Bluetooth mouse, no problem. It only seems to go wrong when you actually start using teh keyboard/stick on the OQO (i.e. when portable).

My Solution is to put the unit into Hibernate, remove & replace battery, thent it works again.

Seems like a Bios thing if it is that low level.

[mwoodnett]

I have updated with the latest Bios update and it is still an issue. I also think either Bios or Software. I also have to remove the battery to get it going again but feel this is in no way an acceptable fix / solution.

Mwoodnett

[BossHogg]

Received some clarification of what clearing the EC defaults is about from OQO support...

"> it's EC = Embedded Controller     see    http://www.ueidaq.com/embedded-controller.html"

Anyway, it still does not help much, and battery removal seems to temp fix it each time but is clearly not a permanent acceptable solution.

Seems like we need a bios fix for this.

I wonder if this post should move to General, as it may not just be Windows specific, but a general bug with the OQO e2'e EC?

BTW. Are you saying there is a Bios update available that in not yet on GA. If so can you talk about it, what is it to fix?

[mwoodnett]

I have been dealing with OQO support on this matter and although the support rep seemingly did his best, it was suggested that this is another defective unit and that I should return it.

This is my 5th OQO e2 and sadly it will be my last for some time. I will continue to be a member of this great forum and once I have satisfied myself that the OQO is problem free, I will buy another one.

It is important to point out that I have received professional support from both OQO & eXpansys during my 2 month & 5 unit ordeal.

mwoodnett

[JohnM]

I have the same problem on my e2 (Vista Business). Seems to be happening increasingly often, only fix each time is to shut the unit down and remove the battery then all is well again for a while.

[BossHogg]

Latest update, seems my case has been taken over by another support consultant...

"I have taken over this service request and I am in the process of reviewing all the previous entries.  I see that some time has past since the last update on the case, I am wondering if you have any more information to offer?  I am researching something's on my end, I hope to be in touch soon.  Please let me know if anything has changed or new information is available."

Very intriguing!

I'ev replied saying that the problem is as unpredictable, but frequent as ever and as mentioned above, that a hibernate followed by battery remove & replace 'fixes' it for a short time.

More news if I hear anything.