Strange Esc and Spacebar behavior

[Kipling]

On another computer, Spacebar prints out

^Z0,6

or

^Z0,61*6

in command line, even in Safe mode. There are also beeps that accompany (maybe ctrl codes?). When this happens in regular session, it puts the computer to sleep (except in Safe mode). Also, Esc key prints out

w`x1tn5v

and this also comes with beeps as though other, non-printing characters are sent.

This behavior happens as early as a password field in Setup and the password field at login. It does not shut down the computer in Setup, but it does in the login password.

Any ideas?

[Kipling]

I looked in back of the computer, and I noticed that among all the USB connections was the PS2 keyboard plug. I took the keyboard from an old Win95 computer and plugged it in. Everything seems to be working fine, so it appears to be the keyboard.

Has anyone heard of a keyboard acting up like this? Are there forms of malware that can infect a keyboard? Virus scans revealed nothing on the computer.

[Missing_Minds]

Has anyone heard of a keyboard acting up like this?

Sure, when a keyboard has gone bad, or some sub program is intercepting keyboard commands.

[Kipling]

Sure, when a keyboard has gone bad, or some sub program is intercepting keyboard commands.

Were it the latter, a different keyboard would present the same symptoms, no? I am hoping that the proper operation of the replacement keyboard indicates the former.