vSpere console Keys() issue

Question

We're just starting to work with TestComplete 14.0.317.7 and we're having issues using it to automate actions via a vSphere console session. There is no problem opening a local application (ex. Notepad) and using the Keys() method to enter text. But when we launch vSphere console, make it fullscreen, and try to use the Keys() method to enter the username and password it duplicates each keystroke 14 times!
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ex.
MKSEmbedded.Keys("admin")
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It then enters into the username window of the Windows VM in vsphere console as aaaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddddddddddmmmmmmmmmmmmmmiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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We already removed the delay between events to 0 and the keystroke delay to 0. And this only happens in the console window. I should add that we follow this by hitting tab to get to the password entry box and it also simulates 14 [tab] key presses.
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We can't install and run TestComplete on the remote VM and are fully aware that we'll need to use image-based (image recognition) automation for scripting the vSphere console and RDP portions of our tests.

marsha_r · Answer

Okay then how about using command line for the vSphere instead of the UI?

mattiek · Answer

As another data point, we used the VMware ESXi web UI to launch the VM console and test into that window, seems to work fine. We'll also try VMware's vmrc as another approach to get a console for a VM. Definitely sounds like an isolated issue between TestComplete and the vSphere client console thus far.

mattiek · Answer

The ESXi web client interface is presenting a screen resolution issue (takes a 1024 x 768 screen and presents us with a 1024 x 767 screen - saves the top row of pixels for restoring the hidden banner) so we tried moving to using VMware Remote Console (VMRC) plugin. In VMRC we discovered the same issue of repeating characters when using the keys() method. We discovered this can be mitigated by either disabling the "repeat key" capability in the host OS using the Windows "Ease of Use" feature, or through a VMware setting (https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/196) which increases the timeout&nbsp; VMware uses to register a keypress on the remote system and sending repeats of that character.
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I should note that we don't see the repeat keys or have any issues doing this manually. Only when trying to interact with the VM host OS using TestComplete.

tristaanogre · Answer

That's a new one on me.&nbsp; Generally speaking, while you can send keys to any number of screens and applications, it has to do with how that application interprets that "Keys" method.&nbsp; Essentially, TestComplete "hooks" into the object and the low-level Windows keyboard events to send those commands.&nbsp; Many times, those kinds of console windows have their own filters and hooks (like, to send CTRL-ALT-DELETE you need to use a different set of keystrokes, etc).&nbsp; So, I'm guessing that's what you're running into, something in the intercept of vSphere console is messing with those keystrokes.Have you tried opening it via a standard RDP connection rather than vSphere?Also, while I understand not putting the full TC on that remote box, is there any problem with putting TestExecute on there?

marsha_r · Answer

Do you have to use Keys?&nbsp; &nbsp;Is there a Text option?

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vSpere console Keys() issue

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