ugh..... shortcuts

Does your mouse have an taskbar app running that allows you to bind clicks to actions? Something like Microsoft IntelliPoint in other words.

 

check to make sure you don't have a keyboard key stuck down (like the ALT key) That will cause this behavior.

 

I know!!!!

Check your alt keys. I had a customer with this a couple weeks back. Their alt key was sticking on one side. Every time they clicked an icon it brought up the properties.

 

Dammit Mars, you're not supposed to answer while I am rummaging for a brew.

 

I had never noticed that about alt. Nifty. I've seen similar with control and shift ("WHY DOES MY MOUSE SELECT EVERYTHING ON MY DESKTOP???"), but never the alt key before.

 

We finished a site and about a week later the owner was ticked because her computer was acting screwy. (Yes, the launch of a web site on a remote system could be the cause of your local computer issues... in some alternate universe)

What happened was when she was being trained her keyboard was getting shoved around. The paperclip that had fallen into the keyboard at some point was now dislodged and jamming the ALT key. Literally fixed by flipping over and banging on her desk. The, uh keyboard that is.

If you pop open a browser and start typing, your clue is all the ALT functions triggering.

 

I've done that accidentally when typing, and wondered why Word or whatever suddenly wanted to open or save my current document. Just haven't seen it become stuck before. Never new alt + double click brought up properties either. Thats kinda useful

 

And you didn't even bring one for me? Damn!

Wireless keyboards can really blow your mind with this. Once in a rare time, the wireless kb will see the key depress, but not register the key release. Thus all "looks" normal but the thing thinks the ALT is still down. A simple press of the ALT key fixes it but will certainly make you scratch your head for a while!

 

Fantastic. Any other result would have caused an epic level thread of hardware discussion.

 

Go on, I've been looking for a new keyboard anyways...

 

I'm still using an IBM keyboard like this one from the late 80's that came with my first computer. I'll upgrade it when they pry my PS/2 port from my cold, dead fingers. It's solidly built, has a very nice tactile feel, and has no Windows function keys (I can't work on a keyboard that has these, as the CTRL and ALT keys end up in the wrong places, and I end up making a lot of mistakes).

 

I've got an old G15. The D and I keys have worn off from underneath completely. The K and C are close behind it. Great KB.

Hmmm. Hadn't noticed that before. Suddenly either I am turning right and opening my inventory a lot, or I do a lot more name calling online than I am aware of.

 

What are you typing with that frequency...?

 

Now that's pretty cool... might have to look into one of these if the IBM ever dies.

 

Guess you all didn't know that the windows keys can be turned off in the registry for ANY keyboard.

Take the following, cut and paste it to a text file, then rename the text file from .txt to .reg
Click on the .reg file, agree to warning. Voila! No more windows keys.

No More Windows Keys Reg Patch​

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=hex:00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,5B,E0,00,00,5C,E0,00,00,00,00

Enjoy!