No "W" or 2,s,or x, what does this sound like to you?

[HereSince1628]

My SO's Dell laptop has an intermittent problem which on one level sounds like a possible funny virus but might be a hardware problem or maybe very fundamental software...

On booting the machine fails and defaults to a "menu" screen to bring up windows, options include things like--Last successful configuration"

Then the keyboard has a problem...no W's, etc. The no W's makes me suspicious...but I am a netizen and that's the way we be.

Several booting attempts typically results in restoration of the normal boot-up and a completely working keyboard.

I ran the SO's virus checker and found nothing, but I know that only means no recognized problems were detected.

So, I am seeking the input of all those more informed minds...

Is this a real intermittent hardware problem with the keyboard?
Or, is this a Windows problem?
Or, is this a virus or worm or some such thing...
Or something else??

[VoteDemocratic2004]

1. Do you have to hold down on the power button?

I have to hold down on the power on/off button in order to get my Dell to turn on.

If I shut it off it won't come back on so I haven't shut it off in over one month.

I don't know what's wrong with it.

[HereSince1628]

3. The power button seems to be OK

I konw that Dell's aren't great machines.

A trustee at the College my SO works at is a Dell exec, so getting the Dell was politically correct.

The problem she has seems to come and go but I can't guess why the keyboard works fine for hours and hours once Windows boots "normally," unless its a "software" problem.

[trotsky]

2. Sure sounds like hardware to me.

Still under warranty? Have Dell send you a replacement keyboard to help diagnose the problem.

[HereSince1628]

4. Thanks... n/t