Motherboard problem or software problem?

[ImLuciano]

Hello, I have a ROG Strix X570-E motherboard that I've had for almost 3 years now. A few months ago, while playing dota, I would suddenly use items in the game without actually having my hands on the keyboard or mouse. Its always the same item slots and I've tried remapping the keys, but the problem persists. The slots were originally on the side of my mouse so I tried replacing my mouse, keyboard, and usb hub. I've also tried plugging them into different usb slots on the motherboard and reinstalling the game, but nothing has fixed the issue. The only thing I can think of to fix the issue would be to replace the motherboard, but I really don't want to spend the money at the moment, especially if it might not fix the issue. If you have any helpful feedback or possible solutions I'd love to hear it.

I'm a bit out of ideas, it would make more sense to me for a motherboard issue if the wrong input was being registered, but this issue literally happens when I am drinking water without my hands on any of my peripherals. I've built a computer before and have watched many Linus videos, but I wouldn't call myself a computer expert. I also don't know how to totally reset my hotkeys in Dota. That is something I've thought about doing next, but I'd assume uninstalling would be enough to reset hotkeys. 

[RONOTHAN##]

What BIOS version are you on? Some of the earlier BIOS revisions for that board did have issues with USB devices, so you may be experiencing that.

 

Also, have you tried testing if this happens in other applications, maybe leaving it a keyboard tester open for an hour or so and seeing if it randomly triggers a keystroke? That would mean Dota is likely the issue if no keystrokes happen outside of there, if it would eliminate Dota and point to some sort of hardware/firmware issue if it did have a phantom keystroke.

[DigitalGoat]

13 minutes ago, ImLuciano said:

Hello, I have a ROG Strix X570-E motherboard that I've had for almost 3 years now. A few months ago, while playing dota, I would suddenly use items in the game without actually having my hands on the keyboard or mouse. Its always the same item slots and I've tried remapping the keys, but the problem persists. The slots were originally on the side of my mouse so I tried replacing my mouse, keyboard, and usb hub. I've also tried plugging them into different usb slots on the motherboard and reinstalling the game, but nothing has fixed the issue. The only thing I can think of to fix the issue would be to replace the motherboard, but I really don't want to spend the money at the moment, especially if it might not fix the issue. If you have any helpful feedback or possible solutions I'd love to hear it.

I'm a bit out of ideas, it would make more sense to me for a motherboard issue if the wrong input was being registered, but this issue literally happens when I am drinking water without my hands on any of my peripherals. I've built a computer before and have watched many Linus videos, but I wouldn't call myself a computer expert. I also don't know how to totally reset my hotkeys in Dota. That is something I've thought about doing next, but I'd assume uninstalling would be enough to reset hotkeys. 

It is possible there is a device near your PC emitting an interference signal at just the right frequency to cause an issue, active speaker, cordless telephone, etc.

Very unlikely though as most devices have to adhere to standards to reduce interference/ crosstalk. As for DOTA, it is possible the key bindings are held in a file located in a folder that is not removed when the game is uninstalled (look in Documents and subfolders or Users\"your user"\Appdata).

The fact the issue remains through hardware changes might point to sticky keys maybe ( Shift - F1 for example if mapped for the game).

[ImLuciano]

43 minutes ago, RONOTHAN## said:

What BIOS version are you on? Some of the earlier BIOS revisions for that board did have issues with USB devices, so you may be experiencing that.

 

Also, have you tried testing if this happens in other applications, maybe leaving it a keyboard tester open for an hour or so and seeing if it randomly triggers a keystroke? That would mean Dota is likely the issue if no keystrokes happen outside of there, if it would eliminate Dota and point to some sort of hardware/firmware issue if it did have a phantom keystroke.

I've updated the bios to the most recent on Asus's website. I was originally on 0804 x64 (from 08/2019). Unfortunately the keyboard tester won't work because the keys that get triggered are the side buttons on my mouse (referred to as 'back' and 'forward' in HyperX UI). The mouse I had when this problem first started showing up was a Logitech so they might be referred to as something else in their program. I tried setting my new mouse to some buttons and using the keyboard tester and they didn't show up. I guess I'll just wait and see if the bios update fixed it. Thanks for the help

[ImLuciano]

44 minutes ago, DigitalGoat said:

It is possible there is a device near your PC emitting an interference signal at just the right frequency to cause an issue, active speaker, cordless telephone, etc.

Very unlikely though as most devices have to adhere to standards to reduce interference/ crosstalk. As for DOTA, it is possible the key bindings are held in a file located in a folder that is not removed when the game is uninstalled (look in Documents and subfolders or Users\"your user"\Appdata).

The fact the issue remains through hardware changes might point to sticky keys maybe ( Shift - F1 for example if mapped for the game).

As much as I hate having to redo all my hotkeys, I will try this. I don't think the issue is related to an interference signal, the only wireless devices in my room are my mouse, headset, and phone. My mouse and headset have changed and the problem hasn't gone away, although I didn't change the headset because I thought it would fix the issue. I just needed an upgrade :). My phone is Samsung S20, so I doubt they would be using the wrong frequencies. 

I'll probably wait a day to see if the bios update suggested by another user fixes the issue, and if I still have trouble I'll try resetting all the hotkeys, atleast then if the issue persists I won't notice it. Thanks for the help

[RONOTHAN##]

Just now, ImLuciano said:

I've updated the bios to the most recent on Asus's website. I was originally on 0804 x64 (from 08/2019). Unfortunately the keyboard tester won't work because the keys that get triggered are the side buttons on my mouse (referred to as 'back' and 'forward' in HyperX UI). The mouse I had when this problem first started showing up was a Logitech so they might be referred to as something else in their program. I tried setting my new mouse to some buttons and using the keyboard tester and they didn't show up. I guess I'll just wait and see if the bios update fixed it. Thanks for the help

There still is a way to test to see if the mouse will do that, just open up a web browser, navigate to a couple different web pages, go back one or two, and see if it changes the web page on its own. That said, since it is a wireless mouse, it will likely go to sleep after 5-10 minutes of inactivity, so every couple of minutes give it a shake or find a way to get it to move around slightly every so often.

[ImLuciano]

22 hours ago, RONOTHAN## said:

There still is a way to test to see if the mouse will do that, just open up a web browser, navigate to a couple different web pages, go back one or two, and see if it changes the web page on its own. That said, since it is a wireless mouse, it will likely go to sleep after 5-10 minutes of inactivity, so every couple of minutes give it a shake or find a way to get it to move around slightly every so often.

Played a few games today and no issues! Thanks a bunch

*Edit: After playing a few more, the issue is still there. I guess I got lucky with a few games earlier this morning. The keys get triggered almost completely randomly and its the same two keys which get triggered at the same time.

[ImLuciano]

Update: I contacted my motherboard manufacturer and they informed me I needed to update the chipset driver as well as the bios. I've updated the chipset and now it takes a few tries to get the computer to start. The manufacturer says this is because my memory isn't compatible with my board for 4 dimms. I've used it for over two years without issue, but whatever I've bought new memory from the QVL and my sister is going to buy my old memory for her build. 

Once the new memory is here and installed, I'll update again if the original issue is completely resolved. For those wondering what postcode I got on the failed starts, its a mixture of code "22" and "F9". 22 Is the code for initializing the memory and F9 is "Recovery Capsule Not Found" according to the manual which came with the motherboard. 

[ImLuciano]

To provide yet again more detail, I've done the steps provided from Asus's customer support which included installing more bios updates, chipset updates, and buying new ram. Yet the issue is still here. After the chipset update, my computer would not start half the time, support said this was due to the memory not being compatible. I've updated the memory and while the computer will start regularly each time, the phantom keys is still an issue. 

 

Asus then recommended I send it in for RMA.

[ImLuciano]

(Hopefully) Final update. I haven't tested if it works, but I plan to mess with this file until it has to work.

I sent my motherboard to RMA and they shipped me a brand new motherboard. This didn't work, but now I know the issue is definitely not with the motherboard hardware.
My last option is to go into the file here : file: ///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Steam/userdata/<INSERT YOUR  STEAM ID>/570/remote/cfg/config.cfg . In this file I found a hotkey for MOUSE 4 and MOUSE 5. I removed the option connected to them, since I have those buttons disabled on my mouse anyways. I don't see why this wouldn't work, but if it doesn't I'll just keep removing options that look similar to my those item hotkeys until it does work.