REVIEW: Belkin Wireless Keyboard - Page 3

peterbright · #21 (**permalink**) 06-15-2003, 08:10 AM

Great Review especially the pictures.

Rumball · #22 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 08:09 PM

I found this thread through Google and thought I should jump in here with my experience and word of caution with the Belkin keyboard. What brought me here was the post saying that some of the keys on their F8U1500 Belkin IR keyboard do not work.

Just to let you know...you're not alone and I'm starting to think they have a quality issue going on.

My first unit arrived and I was disappointed to find that about 50% of the keys on the keyboard did not work. I tried using it with a second PDA with the same results. Playing with the positioning does not help.

So, like the other person on the thread, I called Belkin and they said they would ship me a new unit. Well...the new unit arrived today and guess what? Half the keys don't work. This unit also makes some really scary crackling noises when you unfold the keyboard.

I'm debating on whether to send this unit back and hope for lucky number 3 or simply to ask for a rebate and go with another manufacturer.

What really sucked was the need to pay for shipping of the first unit back to Belkin. The fact that I have to send this 2nd one back as well only to potentially get another defective unit makes me very uneasy!

:wacko:

Computer Ninja · #23 (**permalink**) 09-22-2003, 10:11 PM

Thank you for that insight, Rumball.

CMMS_AXIM · #24 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 01:58 AM

Let us know what happened. Hopefully the next one will work better.

Rumball · #25 (**permalink**) 10-11-2003, 08:19 AM

Just an update. I received my replacement Belkin IR keyboard the other day (the replacement for the defective replacement for the defective Belkin IR keyboard I purchased!).

Thankfully all the keys on this third unit are working. Lucky #3 I guess.

Belkin also didn't require me to mail back the second defective unit so I'm now tempted to open it up to see what's causing this problem of non-operable keys.

murphypj · #26 (**permalink**) 10-14-2003, 05:51 PM

I'm on my second Belkin keyboard. The first one failed and I returned mine to Staples without a problem. 4 keys refused to work and I don't have a clue what happened to the keyboard. It was never dropped and was only used about 4 times when it started to malfunction.

I haven't used the replacement much at all but at times it is so much better than the on-screen keyboard and stylus.

^_^

straight_up · #27 (**permalink**) 11-04-2003, 09:01 PM

I bought the Belkin F8U1500 IR keyboard at Amazon for forty-some dollars. It has not worked for me. Let me explain:

First - The keyboard will not work. Soft reset freezes my Axim X5. I have to perform a hard reset. THEN i learn that there is software for Windows Mobile 2003 at the belkin website.
So i install the new drivers. NO luck. It still won't work AT ALL. I'm a quick learner and followed all the directions to no avail.

Someone, Please help me! Should i return the unit to amazon??
Alan

straight_up · #28 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 04:14 PM

UPDATE.
Seems the ir port DOES work. However, when i tried to beam files to an Ipaq user, it didn't work.
I called Belkin tech support and they helped me see that the four function buttons on the left work, but nothing else. They're sending me a new unit. I'll update when that comes.
Can't wait to actually use it!

OoJeKoO · #29 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 01:06 AM

:wacko:I must admit, that is a very nice reveiw, unfortunatley I am among the chosen few ( from what I keep reading the number is growing :w00t: ) I am about to get my 3rd Belkin Keyboard. I bought the first 2 on E-bay ( The first one didn't work - I couldn't wait for the seller to refund\exchange the keyboard, so I purchased another one ) the second was nicely priced @ $27.50+6.00 for shipping, I received it today, On the second keyboard, only 1 key worked.

The seller has already refunded the money, let me keep the keyboard - Was very understanding. Now Thats Service !!!
I have installed the latest drivers from Belkin. I am running Axim X5 PPC 2002 - A friend of mine has one, his works great <Go figure> & we bought them a month apart - he is running the upgrade from dell ,Maybe this is it?
Just wanted to share the story. Kinda funny...

darkmage · #30 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 02:41 AM

@alanhogan: hi! I bought the Belkin F8U1500 IR keyboard here in Italy (where I live) and I've the same problem as you: only the 4 left buttons work. I tried the standard drivers and the new ones you find in the belkin web site (they were published, if I remember well, the 6th of november ...)

I've got an Axim X5 with Windows Mobile 2003 ... I think the problem is the OS!

Moreover, this is what I've got: I installed the software (standard drivers, whipped with the keyboard) and, in the configuration windows, I tried to rotate the screen: the Axim tried to reset but ... I had to hard reset the unit with loss of all data! Then reinstalled (and not tried to rotate the screen anymore ...); in the TEST area I found that the keyb didn't work, but the 4 buttons on the left, they do! So tried to uninstall drivers in order to install the latest but when I tried to do that it said: "the file \windows\FaceBoard.dll is in use" and it don't uninstall the device! So ... again hard reset! Then, I installed drivers for Windows 2003 but ... same problems (but I noticed that in those release they removed rotate screen ...)
Another thing I noticed: if you choose FaceBoard keyboard (in the bottom right ... where you choose writing metod) and then Options and then Advanced options of that FaceBoard keyb, it says "It's impossible to load that writing method" (or something like that ... I've translated what it says in italian ...)

Conclusion: what I've to do? Send back this keyb since it doesn't work with Dell Axim X5 and Windows Mobile 2003? Thank you!