trying to get replacement USB transceiver for my wireless keyboard

I've read all the posts (I think) on this issue and to my surprise not one has touched on what I'm pretty sure is the crux of the issue, which is this:

Spearing for myself (but I'm certain there are lots more out there who agree) I've wanted a Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard ever since I first saw one—but THERE'S JUST NO WAY I'M EVER GOING TO BUY ONE until I hear that:

a) Microsoft has changed it thoroughly asinine policy vis-à-vis replacement transceivers. (On top of all the other issues covered here, it's just plain insulting.)

b) It must beef up the quality of what is obviously a fundamentally faulty transceiver design.

—neither of which I expect to discover has happened.

Thick!

Hey Phrixxos, the Sculpt is definitely a good keyboard...I've loved it! I think only a few of the posts on this thread have been in reference to faulty transceivers on that model though...it's a pretty new one, and the thread goes back all the way to 2009. The transceiver itself seems to be of pretty good design and solidity, and I doubt it's just been crapping out on people due to poor design. It's not a true nano-receiver like some, as it sticks out about a centimeter or so, and I suspect most of the issues people have had with it is due to physical breakage from use on a laptop or something like that. Mine was simply a matter of losing it (nothing wrong with the dongle itself, other than being too small to find!). 

As as far as their asinine replacement policy, it appears that they may actually be correct as far as what they told me. I have a friend who bought the Sculpt desktop at the same time I did, so I was finally able to borrow her transceiver yesterday to prove my point that MS is just hoarding the devices and not wanting to share. When I plugged in my friend's transceiver, my mouse and keyboard (we both got the combo set) would not function. So evidently, the transceiver actually IS specifically paired with the peripheral(s) it is sold with, and not just a generic device. There are no pairing buttons on the keyboard or mouse, so no obviously easy way that I can see to connect it with a different transceiver. There may be some way to hack into the drivers and settings and change things from there, but I wouldn't have the first clue how to do that...no coding or computer science experience for me! :/

If you're looking to get the Sculpt for a desktop or something and don't plan on pulling out the transceiver all the time, I really would recommend it in spite of the misgivings you mentioned!

Same problem here in Australia. Rang Microsoft (ended up in Philippines Call Center, of course) No joy. Unwilling to help unless I can provide the original receipt for the purchase.  (2011) SO, in the bin it goes. Shame on you Microsoft!

I hear you, Redfish, but my comments stand. If the transceiver is paird to a specific keyboard, that is a matter of coding. It's a number.

Imagine buying a car and being told that because the fuel tank got punctured you have to buy a whole new car.

Too bad. There's just no way I'm going to buy one.