Keyboard trouble.

When I turned my computer on today the keyboard was not functioning and the cursor was not visable on the desktop, it's working properly now after restarting the computer four times but has been acting up lately, the wire as it enters the keyboard may be a problem since moving it seems to have an effect, making the lights on the keyboard turn off and on, but there are no visable cracks in the wire and I've taken the keyboard apart and cleaned it with air, I'm wondering is this a common keyboard problem or an issue inside the computer ? I'd rather not replace the keyboard if I don't really have to.

Not sure if this is related but I've also noticed the mouse acting strange, slight movement can cause the cursor to zip across the desktop and sometimes while on websites the slidebar will zip to the bottom of the page.

My computer is a 6 year old HP Compaq Presario SR 1500NX desktop, the keyboard is the original Compaq model # 5137, the mouse is Compaq too.

Many thanks in advance, I'm hoping I won't be replying from a public computer at our local library !

Kelly

This would more than likely be an issue with the actual keyboard and mouse. If moving the wires on the keyboard seems to change its functionality then it's maybe got a bad connection somewhere. I'm assuming it's an optical mouse. The optical sensor inside might be going bad. The only other thing is what kind of surface is the mouse on? Is it on a smooth, clean mousepad?

I understand you don't want to replace the keyboard or mouse, but those would be the cheapest fixes possible for this problem and are more than likely the culprits.

Thanks very much danthrax, I picked up a new keyboard and mouse, problems solved

Kelly, glad to hear that the replacement keyboard and mouse resolved your issue. I regret that I didn't see your posting earlier as we may have been able to send you a keyboard and mouse from our office's surplus inventory. Thanks for posting your resolution.