I recently received as a gift an HP wireless keyboard for my Ipaq. I always had a keyboard for my Palm, but it was not wireless and thus required no batteries. It was always ready to go.

Unfortunately, this HP keyboard seems to eat batteries, and even if it's not in use. I freshly installed new alkaline batteries one day, and within a week, went to use the keyboard with the PDA. Forget it, they were pooched.

Is there something wrong with this keyboard, or is it the nature of the wireless keyboard to consume batteries? I can't seem to find a circuit breaking switch to diconnect the battery circuit when the keyboard is not in use. Does one have to take the batteries out when not using the keyboard in order to preserve them?

If anyone has any insights, I'd be grateful. Thanks as always!

Jeff