Shortcut won't work

[Invader_Jedda]

Hey all

I have a problem in Windows XP (Home Ed.).  Recently I've had a shortcut die on me, it first became apparent in a solitaire game (SOLO) where I couldn't redeal the game with CTRL-D, I had to go to the menu.  I thought it was that game doing odd things again.

Then the problem appeared in Powerpoint, where I regularly use CTRL-D to duplicate objects.  I can't do it now without using a menu.

I tried other shortcuts - CTRL-A, CTRL-B, CTRL-F, CTRL-C, CTRL-E, etc... even CTRL-SHIFT-D (which duplicates the whole current slide).  They all work fine.  CTRL-D on its own just refuses to work.

Can anyone please help?  I'd like my machine to be normal again!  

Invader Jedda

[Raptor]

Have you set your keyboard to the appropriate language?

[Invader_Jedda]

From the Control Panel's Regional and Language options:

Default input language: English (United States) - US

Installed services: English (United States) - Keyboard - US

My region and location is set to Australia.  As I said, this was working fine up until recently when CTRL-D just stopped responding.

[merlin_2]

you have of course scan for bugs disable system restore?....have you tried..re-boot hit the f8 key on boot and try the last good config...have a look in the events viewer.<error logs>..control panel...click the admin tools icon...what keyboard is this a standard one ?

[Invader_Jedda]

I'm not sure if a system restore would do the trick - I'm more interested in other ways of trying to identify what's gone wrong.

The keyboard is a standard notebook computer keyboard.  I have a Compaq Presario R3000.

[Raptor]

He told you to disable System Restore before scanning for Viruses, Trojan Horses and Spywre. Not use it.

[Neil]

Have you checked to make sure the keys themselves are not physically broken?

[Invader_Jedda]

Have you checked to make sure the keys themselves are not physically broken?

The keys are fine.  Other CTRL shortcuts work (CTRL-A, CTRL-B, CTRL-C...), and the D key works fine.  I even tried CTRL-SHIFT-D and it works (which in Powerpoint duplicates a slide).

As for "merlin_2", sorry, I couldn't actually understand what he was saying.  I did have a look in the events viewer though, and there was nothing in there which would point to a single shortcut not working.

[Raptor]

sorry, I couldn't actually understand what he was saying

You're not alone.  

Have you disabled system restore and then scanned for Viruses, Trojan Horses and Spyware?

[merlin_2]

see if making your own works...read more>http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/pria_apd_afil.asp

[Neil]

Try using a friend's keyboard to see if the problem remains.

[Raptor]

Did you change Windows' disability (Handicap) settings? Perhaps you, or someone else, has turned on sticky keys..

[Invader_Jedda]

Sticky keys is not on and has never been turned on... will try an external keyboard soon to see if it makes a difference, I have one upstairs that I can plug in.