iMON intermittently sending keys

[Diverge]

Every once in a while I find my computer doesn't go to sleep after 30 minutes of idle time. It seems somehow iMON gets stuck sending the 'return' key. I opened text editor, and watched it as the 'return' key is sent all the way down the page. If I hit enter on the remote it will stop and go back to normal.

This computer is an HTPC, in an Origen AE S10V case w/ VF310. I have an iMON pad remote, and a harmony remote setup as iMON pad from the harmony database. I know it's not related to the remotes getting stuck on a button, as the iMON pad has a activity LED, and the harmony's back light would be on when keys press. The HTPC has no mouse or keyboard connect. Only iMON as user input.

So it seems as if the iMON IR reciever is generating the 'return' key presses on its own... preventing my computer from sleeping from time to time, and just causing UI problems when it gets stuck like that.

edit: i'm using the latest beta. windows 7, 64bit, clean install of windows

[Diverge]

I have even moved the switch over to philips mode, even though I don't have the philips IR and adapter cables. So basically so there is no IR communication between any remotes and the iMON, and it still gets stuck in this state of sending enter keys presses over and over.

I can't be the only one with this problem...

does anyone know any way to replace the crap product (iMON), with something from a manufacturer that actually makes a working product? Something that can work in my Origen AE S10V case.

[johnny.hur]

Dear Diverge,

I’m sorry for the late reply.
First of all, try AC reset (Removing power cable from the wall and re-connect it). And select “iMON PAD” remote in iMON Manager>Settings>Remote Controller. We checked VF310 works fine with iMON PAD remote.

And VF310 is a very unique product for us. It is different with our other ODM/OEM products. We don’t supply the whole VF310 unit, but only a chip. We can support SW issue with this product. But for HW issue you should contact with OriginAE.

Regards,
Johnny Hur

[MikeDeez]

I too am experiencing this EXACT problem. I am running a Thermal Take DH102 case with a Harmony 1100 remote in iMon PAD mode.

To reproduce the problem on my system:
1) Set focus to the desktop by single left clicking the mouse
2) Press the "Ok" button on the Harmony which issues an "Enter" command.

The system behaves as though the Enter key is stuck down. Pressing the Enter key at this point (or any other key) does not stop the runaway Enter keypress event.

Some background information: I am running the Logitech RF extender so there is no chance of IR feedback triggering multiple Enter key presses. I am also running a Logitech wireless Anywhere mouse and K340 keyboard, through their Unifying receiver. When the pc is freaking out as (I believe) iMon is issuing multiple return key events, I can unplug both the IR port and all Logitech equipment. The PC still is in a state of repeated Enter key press events.

Can I provide any screen shots of my iMon Manager config to help debug this problem? How about a backup .ini file?

I would appreciate any help that you can give!
-Mike

[Phoonzang]

Same Problem here. Just set up a HTPC (Silverstone LC16B-MR Case) and also experienced something that appears to be a "stuck" Enter key. However, I'm not really sure how to reproduce this error.

[MikeDeez]

Any help iMon representatives? Even if you don't have proven solutions, I think we'd all appreciate a few new ideas to try. Anything will help.

Thanks,
-Mike

[gokul.s]

Dear Mikedeez & Phoonzang,

Though i don't know exact cause of this problem, can you please try,

1. Windows -> Control Panel -> Keyboard Properties
a. Repeat delay Set to Long repeat delay, check the remote behavior at this settings and also test Short repeat delay.
b. Repeat rate set to Slow repeat rate and check remote behavior and also test at Fast repeat delay.

2. iMON Manager ->Settings -> Speed -> Keyboard -> Repeat delay
a. Set to Long and check remote behavior also set Short and check remote behavior
b. Repeat rate set to Low check remote behavior and also check High and check remote behavior.

Please let me know the results.

regards

Gokul

[MikeDeez]

Gokul,
Thank you very much for the reply, I appreciate the time it takes to monitor these forums and respond. I have actually tracked down the problem, WHICH WAS NOT iMON RELATED.

When the Harmony remote was programmed, I used the IR command for 'Enter' as mapped to the Ok button directly from the Logitech database. I'll explain how to correct this later.

A brief explanation:
It turns out that a timing issue allowed the Key Down (Enter in this case) event to be registered, but the corresponding Key Up event never went through. The result was that the PC acted exactly as it should, as if I were holding down the Enter button on the remote. Increasing the inter-key delay within the Harmony software didn't correct the issue as Key Down & Key Up are issues in pairs. The inter-key delay is introduced after that sequence completes.

To correct this issue, I removed the stock Logitech supplied 'Enter' IR code that I had been using, and replace it with IR code learned directly from my iMon supplied remote. This has corrected the issue completely, whether I issue the command through IR directly from the Harmony, or through RF to the RF Wireless Extender and then through IR from that device.

-Mike

[gokul.s]

Dear Mike,

Good to hear you have found the fix for the problem. Thank you very much for your time and sharing your experience with us. This information might be useful to the other users with this issue.

regards

Gokul

[Phoonzang]

I set the rate to slow and the delay to long in the windows keyboard utility, that seemed to solve the problem for some time. It seem whenever I play around with these settings it gets better for a short time, but then I have the same strange behaviour again: It appears the "enter" key or something is submitted continously and I still have to figure out, when it stops.
As for your solution, Mike, I use the standard PAD-Remote which came with the case, I have no idea where I could change settings such as you mentioned. The iMon configuration tool is _very_ confusing, I have to say.

Part2:

OK, I've played around a lot more now, and I begin to suspect there is something wrong with the IR-Receiver. Even when I "somehow" (still don't know how or when it occurs) get rid of the "stuck enter key" problem, the remote is sluggish and lots of buttons only work occasionally: The Mouse Clicks (next to the 8way Pad) only work _very_ seldomly, only when I frantically hammer on them, the Play/Pause and other controls work seomtimes normally, sometimes not at all, and sometims very eratically (pressed once, the commandgets sent multiple times). The Volumcontrol also behaves strange, I can not manage to turn it all the way up or down with pressing and holding the key once. Sometimes the Volume controlling stops, and I have to push the appropriate button again to make it go on, sometimes just waiting with the key pressed helps.
Is there _any_ way to check if the IR-Reveive is working properly? iMon does not seem to provide any tool for that.

[gokul.s]

Dear Phoonzang,

You can check, IR Indicator on desktop to check the IR signal reception, Please find below URL link to FAQ for Show/Hide IR indicator,

How to hide IR Indicator on desktop? (http://www.soundgraph.com/forums/faq.php?faq=sg_faq_sw_imon_manager_g_01#faq_sg_faq _sw_imon_manager_g_07)

Regarding Remote being sluggish, Please try, give little pressure and press all the four corners of the Remote control, one by one. Some times this solve remote sluggish problem.

regards

Gokul

[Phoonzang]

I enabled the IR-indicator again, and it only indicates the keys that are sluggish now and then. Some even are shown as unrecognized (the navigationg ones on the top, play pause etc.) albeit I programmd the hotkeys to the remote functions.

The "stuck Enter button" however also still prevails.

I tried your recommendation to "push down on all edges of the remote", it got not better.

Is there any way I can check if the IR-Sensor is installed properly? I cannot find any clear information in the systemmanager of win7, all I have is a bunch of "HID" things.

The Case is a Silverstone LC16M-BR.

[gokul.s]

Dear Phoonzang,

One way to test IR sensor is,
1. Check with Known working MCE (RC6 Protocol) remote and check the IR keys working as it is supposed to. If it work as it supposed to, we can assume this issue is related to IR Remote control hardware. If not there might be possibility of issue with IR sensor.

Also please check is there any kind of plastic protection sheet or tape or something like that blocking IR sensor, which usually present when we purchase new product to protect devices from scratches during shippment. If any please remove and check remote performance.

regards

Gokul

[qhuydtvt]

I've just set the rate to low, but when I press the 'ESC' button for a long time and release it, the 'ESC' key is still pressed. I'm using Win 7 64-bit