Keyboard wedge. Keyboard wedge devices send data to the computer as if that data were typed on a keyboard. Therefore, by default, the field that is active at the POS will receive the data that is scanned or swiped. In some cases, this behavior can cause the wrong type of data to be scanned into the wrong field.
Ok, I jinxed myself. My Microsoft Wedge Keyboard and Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse are giving me problems connecting via Bluetooth. It really upsets me because these are Microsoft products, and when I talked to tech support, they had no idea what to do. She actually wanted to make an appointment at the MS Store for me to see a tech because she honestly didn't know what to do.
These are YOUR products, not another brand. I finally got them both to connect (on my own, just trying over and over), but they failed over and over, before that, and I don't know why. If the problem raises my blood pressure, it bothers me, lol Does anyone else have these products, and have Bluetooth issues? Sure, I could just attach my purple type cover and forget it, but I really like these, and I just want them to work.
For my BT mouse (RAT M) I usually turn it on AFTER but that should not make a difference as it appears that you get connected and then it drops. I forgot about the pen. Now that isn't spotty or disconnect does it?
I have seen other posts where people report the pen being intermittent. If you remove the pen and the speaker and only use one of the keyboard and mouse how does this function? When I refer to remove - I mean to power them off or to remove them beyond the bluetooth range (theoretically 200ft). I'm sure you can power off the speaker. Pen not too sure if you can just remove the main batteries or you need to remove the button cells. I know this is extreme; but just trying to eliminate interference or saturation completely.
My pen has never given me a problem, ever, neither has the speaker. I asked an MS tech if you can have too many Bluetooth devices paired at once, and he said no. I actually don't get connected, then drop. I turn on my SP3 expecting this mouse and keyboard to work, and they don't. My type cover always works on boot up. I could try unpairing the other devices, but that would really suck if I have to re-pair an item every time I want to use it.
They are never all connected at the same time. The most devices connected via Bluetooth was only once, the keyboard, mouse and speaker.
You didn't say how long you've had them but I would certainly make an appointment and take them into a MS store and let a tech there do some hands on troubleshooting. As a tech I know that it is a whole lot better to have hands on time with equipment when troubleshooting. You were lucky if you were able to communicate clearly with online tech support.
I've heard that they farmed out online support overseas, although I don't have first hand experience with Microsoft but I have with other manufacturers and it can be harrowing understanding heavily accented support staff. That said, I assume that the phone support person asked you to do the basics such as impairing both the keyboard and the mouse and start over. Possibly a re-boot to clear out the system before trying these.
I have some Bluetooth keyboards and mice and I have had similar difficulties with mine. I have a wedge mouse from MS along with another manufacturer. My keyboard wasn't a Microsoft either.
I found that USB mice and keyboards seem to work much better so I've switched to using USB devices now.
The hardwiring of the Windows 8 Keys as the default keys instead of the more often used Function Keys drove me nuts. I have far more use for the F1 to F12 keys than the Windows 8 Keys, particularly in Mac OS X. This is a hardwired feature of the Microsoft Sculpt Mobile Keyboard. The only solution which works is to sacrifice the Windows 8 keys by permanently setting the Fn in the down position.
I did this by popping off the Fn Key and taping the switch in the down position. I used double-stick permanent mounting tape for adhesion which was then covered by black gaffers tape. I love that my Function Keys now work as I want them to. Sure, I no longer have keyboard support for volume - compared to the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000. But I do gain a hardwired Home and End Keys. And I can easily create a macro to control the volume. Since the Sculpt Keyboard is also half the price of the Keyboard 6000, this hardware modification saves me $20 every time I wear out the keyboard.
I wouldn't worry about battery life from keeping the Fn key pressed down since usually I turn off the keyboard when not used - when the keyboard is used as a mobile keyboard. When used as a desktop keyboard, we will have to see if battery life is reduced.