Shift key issue... maybe

[thirtythree]

I have a user who repeatedly experiences the following issue: clicking anywhere (desktop, Explorer, Excel) selects a large area/multiple items rather than just selecting the single item. Typing does not work (or at least, not correctly). He is able to fix it by hitting the shift keys. I realize that's not a perfect explanation, but I can tell you how to recreate it (I discovered this incidentally--this isn't what causes the issue for him):

Click on the desktop and hold the right shift key down for 8 seconds, then press cancel when Windows asks if you want to enable FilterKeys (it happens if you press OK too, but I assume you don't want FilterKeys on). To get rid of the issue, hold the left shift key down for a few seconds. I've tried this on two Windows XP Pro machines, and it occurred on both.

FYI, he has a Dell Latitude D620. He experiences the issue both on his laptop keyboard and on the keyboard hooked up to his dock (was previously a PS/2 keyboard, I also tried switching to a USB keyboard). His accessibility settings and accessibility shortcut keys are disabled. I tried updating and uninstalling/reinstalling his keyboard drivers. What would you do next? I've searched online and haven't found anyone with the same issue, much less a solution to it. Thanks!

 

[merk]

well now thats annoying, very annoying.

I dont have a suggestion as to whats causing this, but i just wanted to thank you for giving me a new way of annoying my friends 🙂

have you done a virus scan? also might want to open task manager and start killing non-essential programs one by one to see if one of them is the cause. I assume you've disabled the filterkeys ? how about changing the keypress thats supposed to cause it to pop up?

 

[thirtythree]

Heh, glad I could be of service. I have done a full scan and there weren't any issues. I haven't tried killing the processes one by one, because the issue is intermittent--in fact, I've never reproduced it myself because I haven't had much time with his laptop (he's constantly using it and takes it home every night). I disabled FilterKeys and all the accessibility shortcut keys.

Also--I was mistaken about the issue happening with his USB keyboard. He's only had it for a few days, but he says it hasn't happened with it at all, only when he's using the laptop keyboard.

 

[merk]

Well, if its a new laptop he might want to try calling dell. If its new and he hasnt installl too much on it yet, he could also try restoring it from the restore cd (assuming they gave him one). If its not new, when did it start happening? Did he install anything around that time? visit any questionable sites? If he remembers when it started happening, have you tried doing a system restore just prior to that?

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: merk
Well, if its a new laptop he might want to try calling dell. If its new and he hasnt installl too much on it yet, he could also try restoring it from the restore cd (assuming they gave him one). If its not new, when did it start happening? Did he install anything around that time? visit any questionable sites? If he remembers when it started happening, have you tried doing a system restore just prior to that?

The issue has happened intermittently for some time, but has happened more frequently as of late. Because of all the programs he needs and because of all the user-specific settings that need to be backed up and restored, reformatting is a bit of a hassle, but it's looking like that might be what it takes.

 

[merk]

could try a repair install first maybe. Or he can call MS since you do get some free tech support incidents with XP. Depending on who you get on the phone, they can be very helpful.