Is there any way to make the computer process more keyboard presses at the same time?

Discussion in 'Tech Discussion' started by AliceShiki, Apr 27, 2018.

  1. AliceShiki

    AliceShiki 『Ms. Tree』『Magical Girl of Love and Justice』

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    I like playing touhou, but I have a problem of not being able to press "arrow key" + "arrow key" + "left shift" + "Z" + "X" at the same time, which makes it pretty hard to play the game, the laptop only processes 3 keys (generally one arrow key + Z + shift) at the same time... My old computer's keyboard could process all 5 keys at the same time.

    As far as I have heard, this is something that can't be changed (something about this being directly related to keyboard circuits and what not), but I figured I would ask... Help?
     
  2. Blitz

    Blitz ⛈️ awakened from the reverie❄️

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    Setting up a macro maybe?
     
  3. yakuzapandaz

    yakuzapandaz Well-Known Member

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    Generally keyboard can press up and left arrow at the same time tho
     
  4. chillo

    chillo NUF BioTerrorist

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    make that action by pressing one button maybe?
     
  5. DocB

    DocB "I see you, little mouse! Run along"

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    the keyboard keys are grouped and keys from the same group can't have more than 2 (?) press simultaneosly
    figure out the group on your keyboard and map your game accordingly
     
  6. Ddraig

    Ddraig Frostfire Dragon|Retired lurker|FFF|Loved by RNG

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    Search anti ghosting

    3 i think
     
  7. reagents 11

    reagents 11 disaster personified

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    It's hardware limitations sir. I'm afraid there's no other way than to change it.
     
  8. Jeebus

    Jeebus Well-Known Member

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    You'll want to look for a keyboard with N key rollover or ghosting protection.

    The way keyboards work, issues can arise when you press more than a few keys at once. Keyboards pulse a current through each row of keys, one row at a time in succession, with a detector for each column. When you press a key, it redirects that current to a column detector. By pressing too many keys, it can cause that current to run around columns to another detector or having the detector believe it came from a different row, which causes your computer to see ghost key presses (called ghosting). This problem can be fixed by pairing a diode with each key, which only allows to current to flow one way, thus removing the possibility of having the current run around to improper detectors. This also increases the cost of the keyboard.

    TL;DR:
    Cheap keyboards usually top out at 3-5 keys pressed at once. More expensive keyboards will let you press more keys.
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2018
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  9. InvincibleDespair

    InvincibleDespair Well-Known Member

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    Had this problem with Guilty gear
     
  10. AliceShiki

    AliceShiki 『Ms. Tree』『Magical Girl of Love and Justice』

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    I have 0 idea on how to do that.
    I can press 2 arrows at the same time.

    What I can't do is press two arrows + shift + Z.
    How?
    How!? >.<
    Will take a look I guess.
    Not a sir, but I expected as much... Some people are saying some stuff, so maybe there is a way.
    This is the built-in keyboard from my laptop, I can't change that.
     
  11. Jeebus

    Jeebus Well-Known Member

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    You can use a keyboard separately. USB 3 keyboards allow for full rollover as long as the keyboard's hardware also supports it. As for your builtin, you're probably hosed. You can see if there are aftermarket keyboards that fit your laptop and support higher rollover, but I've never heard of anything like that before.

    EDIT:
    If you're good with soldering, you might be able to just solder a diode to each key, but that may not do much depending on how your keyboard is connected to your motherboard.
     
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  12. AliceShiki

    AliceShiki 『Ms. Tree』『Magical Girl of Love and Justice』

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    Dunno what hosed us, but thanks! I have a spare keyboard from the time I worked with my phone, so I may try that out.

    No way I'll try soldering though! I'll break my laptop! >.<
     
  13. Jeebus

    Jeebus Well-Known Member

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    Hosed = screwed.
     
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  14. replay

    replay ★Milk and Honey smelling Merchant★

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    use macro. . .
    or cheat engine. . . .
    or port a joystick in your laptop. . .

    welp before tampering on your keys try the controller ported to your usb slot. . .
    it may worth a shot. . .
     
  15. phoenom

    phoenom Well-Known Member

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    buy keyboard with good anti ghosting .
     
  16. AliceShiki

    AliceShiki 『Ms. Tree』『Magical Girl of Love and Justice』

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    0 clue what is that.
    0 clue what is that.
    Joystick? Are those even sold anymore? Last I saw one was when my father played X-wing VS Tie Fighter back when I was like... 5? And how would that solve the problem anyway?
    *is completely confused*
    0 clue on what anti ghosting is, but I can take a look I guess.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 27, 2018
  17. phoenom

    phoenom Well-Known Member

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    is something like how many keys can be pressed or anything or other term is if i'm not mistaken is n-keys rollover while n refer too how many keys can be presses simultaneously.

    edit: i'm messed up my term , it called rollover not ghosting. ghosting is for different term. but the explanation of rollover still valid
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2018
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  18. Reyrey

    Reyrey Well-Known Member

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    Just go to your local tech store with your laptop, ask up for a keyboard and try it on the spot. If it works good then, if not ask another one.
     
  19. TamaSaga

    TamaSaga Well-Known Member

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    Just use a keyboard macro program to map one keypress to several simultaneously.

    Something like SharpKeys
    https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys

    Or, Plan B, is to get the keyboard that I'm using:
    https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-MasterKeys-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B071W2697M/ref=sr_1_2

    The key feature that I'm pointing out is the N-key rollover. I can press every key on my keyboard simultaneously and they will all register. Use something like this webpage to test your keyboard's rollover:
    http://gadzikowski.com/nkeyrollover.html
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2018
  20. AliceShiki

    AliceShiki 『Ms. Tree』『Magical Girl of Love and Justice』

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    Well, I was hoping for a solution that didn't require money... >.>

    Seems like the only way is to try a new keyboard though... T.T

    At least I have a spare one, so maybe it will work out.
    Hmmmmmmm... So... I could make the shift key become shift + z? Something like that?

    I'd need to map 4 keys to become the diagonals though... Actually, I think the numpad already does that, but it's a bit too hard to play with having to move my fingers like that, so I don't think it would solve my problem... Nice to know it exists though! >.<

    Would solve my problem perfectly if I needed to play while pressing only 4 keys... A shame I need 5... T.T

    Thanks for the help though! ^^)/