Re: [libreoffice-users] Intermittent Calc Issues

To rule out the keyboard possibility, perhaps try a different keyboard, 
plugged directly into the PC (no USB hubs or other cables in between).

I've previously found that a faulty keyboard (or USB cable or hub 
between keyboard and PC) can act as if keys get stuck down (seems like 
the PC sometimes gets the "key down" message but not the "key up" 
message, so thinks it's still held down). A "stuck" character key is 
usually obvious as it keeps repeating, but not so obvious with Ctrl, 
Alt, Shift, etc. which only have an effect when you press something else 
- which then doesn't do what you expect. If pressing and releasing keys 
a few times "unsticks" them (PC gets the "key up" message this time), 
which it sounds like you've found with the shift key, that may well be 
the cause.

I'm not sure if combinations of Ctrl, Alt, Shift or other keys along 
with those you're pressing can cause the effects you describe. Perhaps 
more likely if you're using the numpad arrows (rather than the separate 
arrow keys) as those keys can enter other characters when Alt is held 
down - e.g. for me Alt+822 (up, down, down) gives "6" and Alt+826 (up, 
down, right) gives ":". Certainly Shift + Click or arrow keys selects an 
area rather than moving the active cell.

Mark.


Gregory Forster wrote:
> Woops, I meant to click the spell-check and not the send.  That all
> explains well for the unexplained highlighting, but what about the
> random ;6 (semi-colon and the number six) at times, or the random :
> (colon) at times, replacing cell contents by just pressing a directional
> arrow key.  That,  I can't  figure out.  No, I won't sack my tech (he's
> my son - we work together). It ONLY happens with LO Calc, not Impress,
> or Writer, or Base, or any other program.  In fact, I extensively use
> Gnucash.  I am the Treasurer, Financial Accountant and do the payroll
> for church and also use Gnucash for personal finance records - No problems.
>
> However, you did give me ideas and reminders.   I've always been very
> passionate about backups and keeping your hard drive clean from malware,
> viruses, rootkits, etc. of which we also nag our clients about..  I
> forgot about keeping the keyboard clean.  Thank you.
>
> Greg
>
> On 8/5/2014 1:58 AM, Brian Barker wrote:
> > At 22:25 04/08/2014 -0500, Gregory Forster wrote:
> > > I have an inconsistent and not often issue with Calc. [...] Calc does
> > > weird things now and then. [...] Sometimes, I complete a calculation
> > > in a cell, and press the Enter or Down Arrow key. My calculation will
> > > disappear and a ;6 will appear in the cell. Or I may randomly
> > > highlight a cell to check a formula, then when I press a directional
> > > arrow, my calculation will disappear and a : will reside in that
> > > cell. Sometimes, I'll just move an arrow key, or the mouse to move
> > > from one cell to another and wherever I move will highlight as if I
> > > was holding down the Shift key. [...]  This all started in early
> > > July. [...] I changed different versions of LibreOffice (vs 4). I
> > > have LO 4.3.0, 4.2.5, 4.2.2, 4.1.4, 4.1.3, 4.1.2, and 4.0.3 (which I
> > > am currently using).  I still had the same issues with whichever
> > > version used.
> > >
> > > I discussed the issues and history with another tech and he reasoned
> > > (the same as I) that LO was having memory conflict issues with one or
> > > more simultaneous running programs.
> >
> > What, you mean that LibreOffice - in many different versions - is
> > improperly sharing memory with other programs for you but not for
> > anyone else? And why would that behaviour change in early July?
> > Perhaps you should sack your "tech".
> >
> > > My questions are: Has anyone else experienced the same?
> >
> > I doubt it - at least, not as a problem with the software.
> >
> > > Does my reasoning sound feasible?
> >
> > Nope.
> >
> > > Any ideas?
> >
> > If you spend a lot of time on one project or using one application, it
> > is very easy to blame a more general problem with your computer on the
> > particular application.
> > o Try draining the spilt coffee from your keyboard.
> > o Try shaking the biscuit crumbs from your keyboard.
> > o Try poking out the cat hairs from your keyboard.
> > o Try running your computer manufacturer's diagnostics (especially
> > those for the keyboard).
> > o Try attaching an external keyboard and using for a sufficient period
> > to test.
> > o Does your notebook have a trackpad? Is your thumb or palm grazing
> > the trackpad as you move your fingers about? You won't believe this is
> > possible, so get someone else to watch as you use the system for a
> > period. Try temporarily disabling the trackpad or reducing its
> > sensitivity to test.
> >
> > I trust this helps.
> >
> > Brian Barker

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