D820 keyboard problem

I convinced my boss to get us two D820's. We just got them this week and after only two days I already had a problem with my keyboard. My Ctrl keys started acting funny (techinically it was right away but it's taken me a day to figure out what was wrong). They started sending multiple keystrokes (not the Ctrl one). Ironically, the left one would bring up the windows help and support (f1). I ran the diagnostics and it passed but I kept having the problem. I plugged in a USB keyboard and couldn't replicate the problem, so it seemed to be the keyboard not the OS. It also seemed to be intermittent.
So I called Dell today and thankfully it failed the keyboard test while I was on the phone. So they were going to send me a new one. Then, they called back and said there's a replacement policy on the D820 for any hardware issue. So they're building me a new one and sending out another one.
I really like the laptop otherwise and my boss hasn't had any problems with his. Guess I picked the wrong one the other day. I'll do a separate post on a review with some pictures and stuff comparing it to my old Inspiron.

Thankfully, I can still do work it's just really annoying not having the Ctrl key.

 

I have problems with the keys on any laptop I use if I pick my nose and don't eat it right away, leave it on my finger and it ends up getting stuck under a key on me.

I'd be lost I think without my Ctrl key as well, I'm a heavy user of short cut keys that require using the Ctrl key. I also spend hours on end entertaining myself by hitting the Ctrl key with my find cursor option turned on. I just can't get enough of watching that little circle ping around my cursor on the screen.

Lucky you didn't have the traditional Windows Ctrl + Alt + Del to log on option set or you'd be completely locked out of it and unable to use it at all while waiting for the new one.

It's kind of strange though that your having this problem with both of your Ctrl keys. That doesn't really sound like a physical key board problem. Have you tried just reinstalling the keyboard drivers?

 

I tried removing the hardware and reinstalling the driver. I thought that worked but then the keys started acting up. My next option was going to be reinstall the OS and be sure that wasn't it but when it failed the keyboard diagnostic test (sent too many scan codes) I figured it wasn't the OS.

On a side note, I read your review and I'm sad because I didn't know the 9-cell battery didn't stick out of the front. I don't do a bunch of unplugged time but I would've configured it with the 9-cell, it would be nice to have the extra time. At least you can always get one later.