"Ron P" wrote in
:

I have in my home a Microsoft wireless keyboard which uses 3 AA
batteries. It transmits to a nearby receiver which is connected to a
USB port on the computer. When the keyboard was new, the batteries
would last for 7 or 8 months. For some strange reason, I'm now
changing them monthly.

Recently, I was away for a week and the system was completely shut
down. When I returned and booted up, the keyboard was lifeless. I
tested the batteries, and they tested completely and totally drained
on my meter. That's unusual, because they usually test just weak when
I replace them. So, while I was gone and the system was off, something
drained the batteries completely.

At first, I assumed it was the keyboard, so I replaced it with another
one of the same model, an older one that I still had on hand. Same
result, one month. Does this make sense to anyone? Thanks.





maybe a stuck key that causes the keyboard to constantly emit the IR
signal? Or something pressing a key.... something laying on the KB?
Or dirt/crud causing leakage that makes the KB emit the IR signal
constantly.
Idea;try using a digital camera to view the IR emitter to see if it's on
when there's no keys depressed. Press a key to see what happens that
way,too.

Maybe you should switch to those pre-charged NiMH rechargeables.
They hold their charge much better than ordinary NiMH cells.
Then you can recharge them every so often and not buy so many alkaline
cells.

as a last resort,you could clean your KB in the auto dishwasher(alone,not
with dishes..) and dry -thoroughly- with a hair dryer.
use a gel detergent,not the abrasive powder detergents.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com