On Thu, 13 May 2021 16:43:28 +0100, Peter Able wrote:

snip

This Gateway Anykey keyboard doesn't like being plugged
into the PC about one time in 10. Does a factory reset - then just
needs a reprogramming download.

'Intelligent electronics' eh.

More like Malicious electronics. It only does it when I'm rushing to
get something requiring keyboard macros - leastways that's how it seems !

No, you are right ... the printer that runs out of ink / toner as you
print that last minute plane / train / gig ticket or the router that
locks up 10s before the end of the auction you are about to bid on.
;-(

snip

Further to this thread on disruption by making and breaking contact....

The same piece of kit also included a toggle switch which swapped a 1kV
supply. No manufacturer offered a suitable switch so the designers
tested several candidates that would physically fit to see how they
performed, and chose the best one. Problem was that they'd tested the
switch to over 2kV - but only with the switch dolly at one end or the
other of its traverse. With the dolly mid-way the sum of the two gaps
would occasionally break down.

Oh dear.

This kicked the microprocessor running
the kit into outer space.

I bet.

No watchdog, either.

D-oh!

Whoops.

Cheers, T i m