PC has fits of thinking delete key is pressed

I am using a Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue keyboard that has an off switch. I use a Logitech M570 trackball (which is new as of a few days ago).

Windows version 22H2 (OS Build 19045.3930). Desktop PC, homebrewed and getting old.

Starting a few weeks ago, I had some weird stuff happening. I'd click on a folder and before it opened, I'd get multiple popup windows asking if I was sure I wanted to send it to the trash bin. If I clicked on a folder in my browser (Brave), it would open whatever was first instead of simple showing the list. If I opened a file, it would start deleting text from wherever the cursor happened to be. Luckily when I close the file it asks if I want to save changes. Phew! I thought perhaps it was the keyboard which I had been using for many years. I replaced it with the same model.

Behavior happens even with keyboard switched off.
Behavior happens even with trackball off. I use an app called Unified Remote as a mouse alternative in this case.
Only rebooting the PC stops this but it only lasts from anywhere from a few hours to several days.

What is happening and how can I fix it? Google searches did not come up with anything usable.

Sounds like you have a virus. I downloaded the following instructions, but i am not sure how to read the results. i am sure someone will be able to:
STEP 1. Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your Desktop. Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them. Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.
• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt).
STEP 2. Start new topic in our Malware Removal forum and provide following logs:
• FRST.txt
• Addition.txt
1.
Download RogueKiller from one of the following links and save it to your Desktop:

Link 1
Link 2
o Close all the running programs
o Double click on downloaded setup.exe file to install the program.
o Click on Start Scan button.
o Click on another Start Scan button.
o Wait until the Status box shows Scan Finished
o Click on Remove Selected.
o Wait until the Status box shows Deleting Finished.
o Click on Report and copy/paste the content of the Notepad into your next reply.
o RKreport.txt could also be found on your desktop.
o If more than one log is produced post all logs.
Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
o Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
o Then click Finish.
o Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
o If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
o When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
o Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
o The Scan log is available throughout History ->Application logs. Please post it contents in your next reply.
Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save to your Desktop.
o Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
Vista/Windows 7/8/10 users right-click and select Run As Administrator
o The tool will start to update the database if one is required.
o Click on the Scan button.
o AdwCleaner will begin...be patient as the scan may take some time to complete.
o After the scan has finished, click on the Logfile button.
o A window will open which lists the logs of your scans.
o Click on the Scan tab.
o Double-click the most recent scan which will be at the top of the list....the log will appear.
o Review the results...see note below
o After reviewing the log, click on the Clean button.
o Press OK when asked to close all programs and follow the onscreen prompts.
o Press OK again to allow AdwCleaner to restart the computer and complete the removal process.
o After rebooting, a logfile report (AdwCleaner[CX].txt) will open automatically (where the largest value of X represents the most recent report).
o To open a Cleaning log, launch AdwareClearer, click on the Logfile button, click on the Cleaning tab and double-click the log at the top of the list.
o Copy and paste the contents of AdwCleaner[CX].txt in your next reply.
o A copy of all logfiles are saved to C:\AdwCleaner.
2. Last scans...

Download Security Check from here or here and save it to your Desktop.
o Double-click SecurityCheck.exe
o Follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.
o A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt; please post the contents of that document.

NOTE 1. If one of your security applications (e.g., third-party firewall) requests permission to allow DIG.EXE access the Internet, allow it to do so.
NOTE 2. SecurityCheck may produce some false warning(s), so leave the results reading to me.
NOTE 3. If you receive UNSUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM! ABORTED! message restart computer and Security Check should run





Please download Farbar Service Scanner (FSS) and run it on the computer with the issue.
Make sure the following options are checked:
o Internet Services
o Windows Firewall
o System Restore
o Security Center
o Windows Update
o Windows Defender
o Other Services

Press "Scan".
It will create a log (FSS.txt) in the same directory the tool is run.
Please copy and paste the log to your reply.


Download Temp File Cleaner (TFC)
Alternate download: http://www.itxassociates.com/OT-Tools/TFC.exe
o Double click on TFC.exe to run the program.
o Click on Start button to begin cleaning process.
o TFC will close all running programs, and it may ask you to restart computer.


Download Sophos Free Virus Removal Tool and save it to your desktop.
o Double click the icon and select Run
o Click Next
o Select I accept the terms in this license agreement, then click Next twice
o Click Install
o Click Finish to launch the program
o Once the virus database has been updated click Start Scanning
o If any threats are found click Details, then View log file... (bottom left hand corner)
o Copy and paste the results in your reply
o Close the Notepad document, close the Threat Details screen, then click Start cleanup
o Click Exit to close the program

I use Sophos, Malwarebytes, and Windows Defender. I sincerely doubt this is a virus. Sophos scans daily. I also just did an extra scan this morning.

I will check out your recommendations above however.

Okay, checked them. Several of them suggest Malwarebytes. Most of them are outdated and do not run on Win 10. But I thank you for trying!

It is so random, booting in safe mode would be time wasted. For example, it has been four days since it last did this.

When the behavior first started, I assumed my keyboard was dying. Until I turned it off and it still did it. The keyboard was old so I did replace it. Behavior continued.

I do not have a disk imaging setup. I do backups of files to my cloud service. SyncBack Pro to DreamObjects.

I do have a tenkey that may be the culprit. I have unplugged it and will see if the behavior happens again. It is possible something is hitting the delete key randomly. Nothing was on top of it when I looked.

Are there entries in Reliability History which coincide with the problem ?
To access,in the Search box,start typing ---reliability ---.
In Powershell [admin ] type in ----dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth ---and when finished then type in ---sfc /scannow ---and run it until a clean report is given.
This action ensures the operating system is functioning correctly.

joeandmarg0 said:

Are there entries in Reliability History which coincide with the problem ?
To access,in the Search box,start typing ---reliability ---.
In Powershell [admin ] type in ----dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth ---and when finished then type in ---sfc /scannow ---and run it until a clean report is given.
This action ensures the operating system is functioning correctly.

All I found under reliability were some manifest files.

Restore health was run but it didn't report anything?

The scannow I ran twice. The first time said there were some corrupt files and they were fixed, Ran it again and it found nothing.

- - - Updated - - -

Try3 said:

If it happens again, I think you should reinstall your display driver.
I've seen reports of similar "random" behaviour caused by corrupted display drivers.
And do yourself a big favour - start making regular disk images.


Best of luck,
Denis

My brother uses Acronis at both his home and at for all the PCs at his work. I'll ask him what he thinks of it or if he recommends another.

As for the display driver, the NVIDIA GeForce has updates almost weekly.

I would try another wireless keyboard see if it still is a problem.

Just faulty hardware. Replace the keyboard and pointing device. Not a virus.