strange keyboard behaviour

[RabbieBurns]

got a computer here thats exhibting some wierd behaviour Ive not seen before. After a fresh reboot when you press a key such as 'r' or 'd' or 'e' etc, it brings up the run dialog, shows the desktop, opens email, respectively. i.e it is as though it is opening the windowskey+letter shortcuts. Pressing the right windows key once stops this behaviour from happening. Im pretty sure the keyboard is fine, but I cant think of any windows settings that might cause this?

[Ryan]

Keyboard needing a good clean? Sounds like it may be sticking.

 

Failing that, might be a 'sticky keys' or other accessibility thing?

 

Weird.

[RabbieBurns]

I gave it a good dusting and removed the windows keys and it still happens. Its a fairly new dell. Its not sticky keys or any of the other accessiblity options.

 

There is another problem with the PC though that it doesnt automatically install drivers automatically for and new USB devices, stuff that windows should automatically recognize.

[elsiegee40]

Another vote for cleaning the keyboard. Someone's lunch under the Ctrl key probably.

 

Tip it upside down and give it a darn good shake. If that fails, prise the ctrl key off and clean under it.

 

If that fails, try a new keyboard!

[RabbieBurns]

Tried new keyboards, and thats where it failed with drivers for usb devices

[OutToLunch]

I've had this before, never got to the bottom of it, didn't seem to be a sticky Windows key but it's clearly related to the system thinking it's held down. Whacking the Windows key a few times before doing anything seemed to clear it up. Not a technical solution but it works!

[RabbieBurns]

yep simply pressing the right windows key once removes the behaviour. bizarre.

[OutToLunch]

Haven't got one playing up to test this on at the mo, but one of the stated behaviours of Sticky Keys is

 

To specify that when a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key Windows logo key is pressed twice in succession, the key will remain active until the key is pressed again, under Options, select the Press modifier key twice to lock check box (Press P).

 

May be worth diving into the options and checking it hasn't somehow got set to always it on this machine...

[Michael]

The Start Key + R brings up the run menu, so the Start Key(s) appear to be wedged down. I often get this with Shift keys. Try pressing and releasing both Start Keys.

[TechMonkey]

Get tthis randomly, along with teh ctrl or alt key appearing to be stuck down. As others have said a good bang on the back of the keyboard or running a finger along the keys seems to make windows realise that it isn't really down. If it is happening everytime though something is amiss.

[RabbieBurns]

when I mentioned the 'windows' key that was the same 'Start' key I meant.

 

Its after a fresh reboot, even into safe mode. The key isnt stuck, I even removed the key completely and the rubber thing underneath. Simply pressing the right Windows/Start key once stops it for good (until next reboot)

[Busybub]

I have two Dell Multimedia keyboards which had odd problems including some keys not working one second then mysteriously OK the next.

 

Tried taking both of them apart and removing the rubber mat and discovered that there was a slightly oily residue over the areas of the affected keys. Wiping it clean fixed the problem

[elsiegee40]

Tried new keyboards, and thats where it failed with drivers for usb devices

 

However it was established on this earlier post that replacement keyboards have not helped with this problem. It seems to be a problem on the machine.

[Michael]

However it was established on this earlier post that replacement keyboards have not helped with this problem. It seems to be a problem on the machine.

 

In saying that though, are the keyboards PS2 or USB versions? If it's PS2, then try a USB one, but if already a USB keyboard try another USB port.

[RabbieBurns]

the machine doesnt have any ps2 ports