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Windows key on win95/98 machine

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9 replies

by jrinehart

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We have an NT 4.0 network with Win 95/98 workstations. Every now and then a users calls me with this problem. I think they use their "Windows" key on the keyboard to go from one application to another. Some of these applications are DOS (yes....I'm sorry but we still use a few DOS apps). After they do this they will be working in an application an hit a key that will totally blow them out of their program? What I think is happening is as an example they hit the "R" key. It actually is doing a "Start" "Run" command? Or if they hit an "S" key it take sthem out of their app and goes to the "Control Panel"? Most of the time it "locks" their computer up and they must reboot. After a reboot they are fine....but.....I think?? the problemstarts when they use the "Windows" key on the keyboard. Any ideas on how to fix the problems??

9 replies

by soundsolutionsinc

I had a bad keyboard where the Windows key would, from time to time, stick on. It's also in the lower left hand corner of your keyboard (also the one in the middle), but the left hand corner is where "trail mix" can usually be found when people consume food near the keyboard. Quick test: Unplug keyboard, turn the keyboard up on the desk, so that the control key is at the top and the number pad part of the keyboard is resting on the desk. When nobody is around, slam it down once hard on it's end. Plug it back it. If it works, you may have dislodged some junk (temporarily). If that works, you might need to spring another $20 bucks for a keyboard.

by butzmann

Naah, there are too many pcs for all keyboards to be faulty... What HW do you use? I ran into the problem regardless of server software installed... Mostly this is a problem of incompatible/obsolete HW and incorrect DOS programs, many videocards can't just handle dos-task switching. Try running all dos programs windowed. Try upgrading. Integrated i815 intel boards seem to solve the problem -- maybe because of fresh Windows installation.

by jrinehart

Another nice try.....If we reboot the machine it works fine for a while. The user is doing something to make the keys do these strange things. I think it has sometime to do with the Windows Key not working right or is corupt?

by tjc

I've had this happen to me as well as with my clients also. I also get the one where you press 'E' and Explorer comes up. I tell them tap the win keys a few times to unstick/reinitilize they are fine. I'm thinking it is a dos/windows keyboard bufferproblem, where switching from dos program to windows is activating the Winkey activation while in the dos program or leaving the winkey turned on. It's one of those dos/windows conflicts that may not have an answer.... and the "lock ups" can happen and you need to do a cold boot.

by curacao_dejavu

if it's the windows key:
right click the shortcut or app that you use to startup, go the properties.somewhere there is a option to disable the windows key.

TADA.

Leopold

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