As an update, there has not been a hint of a delay or freeze of the keyboard since I went to a wired PS/2 connection. While this has all appearance of solving my problem, it still does not definitively identify the root cause of the problem. Assuming the PS/2 is the solution, then the problem could actually be the USB on my computer or the software associated with it, or it could be the wireless keyboard itself. Once I'm certain the PS/2 is bulletproof, then I will use the keyboard in wired USB mode. If that works, all that is left is the wireless keyboard.
In any case I was convinced yesterday a wired keyboard was the quick fix, regardless of the root cause. I made the mistake of doing some research on the expensive "mechanical keyboards". The more I looked at them, the more they sounded like what I really wanted, except for the price. This old Fujitsu keyboard feels like you are typing on a plate of mush, and I knew there had to be better. In any case I found out that the secret to a good keyboard are the way the keys are made, and that
Cherry MX keys are the best to be had. And further for my preferences as a touch typist not wanting loud keys, that the
Brown version would suit me the best. Then just as it happened when I was looking for keyboards at an on line store that has a nearby outlet, they were advertising a one day special on a
mechanical CM Storm QuickFire XT keyboard for $55 after instant discounts and a coupon. That looked a lot better than the $100-200+ prices I was seeing for other keyboards. It is a stripped down version with no cup holders, and no lighted keys, that gamers like. And it had the Cherry MX Brown keys! Couldn't resist and bought one.
I have to say it is the best keyboard I have ever used. If you don't want to get hooked, I would suggest never typing on one of these, or not even reading about them!
On the PS/2 interface thing, it is clear that this is what gamers prefer. Whether it makes a real world difference is debateable, but
technically it is better than USB. The key difference is that PS/2 can handle multiple keystrokes at the same time, and USB can't. I guess gamers want/need? that. I suspect that is why any motherboard that may be of interest to a gamer still has PS/2. As long as there is a demand from gamers, I suspect the PS/2 is not going away any time soon.
The relevant part with respect to my problem is that PS/2 takes a different route, both hardware and software wise through the computer. See that last link for a block diagram. This certainly leaves the possibility that I just bypassed my root cause problem, rather than solve it. Since this keyboard uses a PS/2 adaptor, I can still plug into a USB port, and I should do that to satisfy my curiosity at some point, to see where the real root cause is.
In any case I'm back typing without delay or freezing, and have a new and great keyboard. No more wireless keyboards for me. I'm tired of having issues and constantly replacing batteries. When I went to my computer parts boneyard in the basement, I found no less than three wireless keyboards. I wish I had bought a real keyboard like this latest one a long time ago. I suspect there are many touch typists out there pounding away on mushy keyboards that don't even know this quality of a keyboard even exists. I was one for sure...
Thanks for all the help on this.
