DonationCoder.com forum
 
Read-only archive. This is a static copy of the DonationCoder.com forum. Reading and searching work as before; logging in, posting and private messages do not.
Archive of 2026-10-21 · About this archive · Main site

Author Topic: Sticky Alt key on Dell laptop anyone?  (Read 7,391 times)

wasker

  • Charter Honorary Member
  • Joined in 2005
  • ***
  • Posts: 52
Sticky Alt key on Dell laptop anyone?
« on: April 07, 2007, 05:09 PM »
I have a weird problem on my Dell laptop with Windows XP SP2 system: my Alt key gets sometime "sticky". Say, when I press Alt-F4, my Alt key remains "pressed" and activates close confirmation (if any) box' system menu, or if I use Alt-Tab, then I end up with activated window's menu.

1) It's not a hardware problem: it replicates with laptop's own keyboard and external one.
2) "Sticky keys" are turned off.
3) As I'm heavy keyboard user, this drives me crazy.

Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks!

tinjaw

  • I'm so glad breakbeat techno isn't an illegal drug
  • Supporting Member
  • Joined in 2006
  • **
  • Posts: 1,927
    • Participated in NANY Challenge Twice
    • Coding Snacks
    • Military Service Badge - US Army
    • Linux User
Re: Sticky Alt key on Dell laptop anyone?
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2007, 07:31 PM »
Is there some Dell utility running that does the same thing as sticky keys?

wasker

  • Charter Honorary Member
  • Joined in 2005
  • ***
  • Posts: 52
Re: Sticky Alt key on Dell laptop anyone?
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2007, 07:49 PM »
I have no idea. They have some stuff running in background. My quick research didn't give me any clues. Maybe someone had some problem in the past and have some pointers?

mouser

  • First Author
  • Administrator
  • Joined in 2005
  • *****
  • Posts: 40,931
    • Gathering Badge
    • Plugin Coding Medal
    • Participated in NANY Challenge Seventeen Times
    • Cody Award
    • Coding Snacks
    • Volunteers/Staff
Re: Sticky Alt key on Dell laptop anyone?
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2007, 08:18 PM »
yeah tinjaw's guess is a good one.

start killing off background processes and see if you can kill something that causes it.

Original address: https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=8008.0