Improve wireless keyboard reception?

[jmc]

I purchased a Microsoft Wireless Desktop solution (Keyboard series 1000) from bestbuy a few weeks ago.

Finally get around to using it, installed the software.... only to find out the reception is horrible. The receiver needs to be right next to the keyboard in order for it to work correctly.

I've changed the batteries in the keyboard, and looked into support from microsoft which was no help at all.

Is there anything I can do, in order to improve reception.... or am I SOL on this one?

[Cephius]

Make sure the reciever has line of sight to the keyboard.. meaning if you have a pull-out tray for your keyboard, make sure the desktop doesn't get in the way of the signal. That's pretty much all you can do.

[Solefald]

I used to have the same one, and it blows. You basically have to put the transmitter on the same level as the keyboard and pretty close to it.

[jmc]

I used to have the same one, and it blows. You basically have to put the transmitter on the same level as the keyboard and pretty close to it.

Thats what it seems like.....

well, gonna go throw it out the window. Thanks guys

[Minions]

Thats what it seems like.....

well, gonna go throw it out the window. Thanks guys

about as useful as the logitech "wireless" mouse and keyboard combo. If you want a real mouse/keyboard, look at the logitech dinovo, costs about 200~ well worth the price imo.

[Zhais]

I have a wireless logitech keyboard/mouse and never had any problems with it. Had it for over four years now.

edit: it was also the cheapo version four years ago

[Nattack]

i dont get wireless keyboards right at the computer, the blinking that the receiver makes is very distracting, and the fact that its right beside the thing makes it difficult to justify. when a computer is hooked into a Television set, thats a different story. its nice to have the thing by the couch to start a movie or something.

if you like, i can offer a few tips:

anything on the same channel that the wireless keyboard is on is going to cancel out the signal. so for instance, a wireless phone (not a cellphone, but those handy landline phones) might be on the same frequency,or a wireless router. most of these devices run off of 2.4GhZ and can cause issues.

if not that, there are other interfering devices like say, microwaves, plumbing/electrical, television sets, and the like that can eat up your signal. if possible, try changing your wireless keyboards channel (basically this is the same as tuning a radio, in increments)

if you like, you can try the pringles method, and use a pringles tube to amplify the signal, it really works, but the only issue is that its horridly unsightly. and messy computers can really make your OCD impulse kick in.

next your receiver might be directional, unlikely (ive never seen it anyway) but maybe it has to be pointed in the direction of your keyboard to get best reception. again, thats highly unlikely, and usually pointing the antenna directly at the device its trying to communicate with is bad for reception on devices that broadcast in a radial.

finally, it might just be you having a shitty/bugged keyboard. i have horrible luck with keyboards, if i spend less than 30$, the keyboard lasts for less than 6 months.