I'm experiencing the weirdest problem that suddenly cropped up. Capital 'H'
has been re-assigned such that it switches to Windows Explorer if an instance
of Windows Explorer is open. I'll be typing in Word for example and suddenly
I switch to Windows Explorer but it happens whiule using any application. It
is most annoying to have to remember always whether I have an instance of
Windows Explorer open.

Where would I look to see if a keyboard letter has been re-assigned by some
malicious app for example. I looked in the Control Panel but I don't see
where individual key assignments can be made.

Thanks.

On 4/4/2010 4:07 PM, isaacc wrote:
>
> I'm experiencing the weirdest problem that suddenly cropped up. Capital 'H'
> has been re-assigned such that it switches to Windows Explorer if an instance
> of Windows Explorer is open. I'll be typing in Word for example and suddenly
> I switch to Windows Explorer but it happens while using any application. It
> is most annoying to have to remember always whether I have an instance of
> Windows Explorer open.
>
> Where would I look to see if a keyboard letter has been re-assigned by some
> malicious app for example. I looked in the Control Panel but I don't see
> where individual key assignments can be made.
>
> Thanks.

I'd try another keyboard first. Most likely cause.

I appreciate the effort in responsing but I'm not sure how your advice makes
any sesne. In any other application the keyboard correctly generates a
capital 'H'. Only when Windows Explorer is open is the capital 'H'
intercepted and sends the focus to Windows Explorer.

"Bob CP" wrote:

> On 4/4/2010 4:07 PM, isaacc wrote:
> >
> > I'm experiencing the weirdest problem that suddenly cropped up. Capital 'H'
> > has been re-assigned such that it switches to Windows Explorer if an instance
> > of Windows Explorer is open. I'll be typing in Word for example and suddenly
> > I switch to Windows Explorer but it happens while using any application. It
> > is most annoying to have to remember always whether I have an instance of
> > Windows Explorer open.
> >
> > Where would I look to see if a keyboard letter has been re-assigned by some
> > malicious app for example. I looked in the Control Panel but I don't see
> > where individual key assignments can be made.
> >
> > Thanks.
>
> I'd try another keyboard first. Most likely cause.
>
> .
>

Is one of your ALT keys or perhaps the Fn (Function) key sticking (if it's a
laptop)?

Have you tried a different keyboard or...?


isaacc wrote:
> I appreciate the effort in responsing but I'm not sure how your advice
> makes
> any sesne. In any other application the keyboard correctly generates a
> capital 'H'. Only when Windows Explorer is open is the capital 'H'
> intercepted and sends the focus to Windows Explorer.
>
> "Bob CP" wrote:
>
>> On 4/4/2010 4:07 PM, isaacc wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm experiencing the weirdest problem that suddenly cropped up. Capital
>>> 'H' has been re-assigned such that it switches to Windows Explorer if an
>>> instance of Windows Explorer is open. I'll be typing in Word for example
>>> and suddenly I switch to Windows Explorer but it happens while using any
>>> application. It is most annoying to have to remember always whether I
>>> have an instance of Windows Explorer open.
>>>
>>> Where would I look to see if a keyboard letter has been re-assigned by
>>> some malicious app for example. I looked in the Control Panel but I
>>> don't
>>> see where individual key assignments can be made.
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>
>> I'd try another keyboard first. Most likely cause.

isaacc wrote:

>I'm experiencing the weirdest problem that suddenly cropped up. Capital 'H'
>has been re-assigned such that it switches to Windows Explorer if an instance
>of Windows Explorer is open. I'll be typing in Word for example and suddenly
>I switch to Windows Explorer but it happens whiule using any application. It
>is most annoying to have to remember always whether I have an instance of
>Windows Explorer open.
>
>Where would I look to see if a keyboard letter has been re-assigned by some
>malicious app for example. I looked in the Control Panel but I don't see
>where individual key assignments can be made.
>
>Thanks.
>
>
It is very unlikely but you can always check it out by reformatting your
HD and re-installing the OS from scratch. This ensures there is no
malware and if everything works as it should then no complain otherwise
faulty keyboard! This is called systematic approach to problem solving
rather than doing it on trial and error basis using Pig-Bear's approach
who will ask you to scan your system with almost all the anti-virus
programs and anti-spyware .programs. You can look at his solutions on
these newsgroups.

hth


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"isaacc" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:EECD8318-A87F-47A3-828D-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> I'm experiencing the weirdest problem that suddenly cropped up.
> Capital 'H'
> has been re-assigned such that it switches to Windows Explorer if an
> instance
> of Windows Explorer is open. I'll be typing in Word for example and
> suddenly
> I switch to Windows Explorer but it happens whiule using any
> application. It
> is most annoying to have to remember always whether I have an instance
> of
> Windows Explorer open.
>
> Where would I look to see if a keyboard letter has been re-assigned by
> some
> malicious app for example. I looked in the Control Panel but I don't
> see
> where individual key assignments can be made.
>
> Thanks.

Capital H means you are using Shift+H to type the capital.
You may have a keyboard shortcut set up (with or without your knowledge)
to do this, that uses Shift+H, perhaps in combination with the Ctrl key
(like Ctrl+Shift+H) and the Ctrl key is electronically stuck. First
thing to try (with all programs closed) is to repeatedly tap the Ctrl
keys and then the Alt keys and then the Shift keys, as this will
sometimes "unstick" them temporarily, as will a reboot.

Install and run this little free utility:
Shortcuts Map - manage hotkeys assigned to Windows shortcuts
http://www.zealsoft.com/shortcuts/

Look through the keyboard shortcuts it lists on your system, and see if
any include the H key or the Shift+H combination.

Post back with what you find.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

"glee" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "isaacc" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:EECD8318-A87F-47A3-828D-(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> I'm experiencing the weirdest problem that suddenly cropped up. Capital
>> 'H'
>> has been re-assigned such that it switches to Windows Explorer if an
>> instance
>> of Windows Explorer is open. I'll be typing in Word for example and
>> suddenly
>> I switch to Windows Explorer but it happens whiule using any application.
>> It
>> is most annoying to have to remember always whether I have an instance of
>> Windows Explorer open.
>>
>> Where would I look to see if a keyboard letter has been re-assigned by
>> some
>> malicious app for example. I looked in the Control Panel but I don't see
>> where individual key assignments can be made.
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> Capital H means you are using Shift+H to type the capital.
> You may have a keyboard shortcut set up (with or without your knowledge)
> to do this, that uses Shift+H, perhaps in combination with the Ctrl key
> (like Ctrl+Shift+H) and the Ctrl key is electronically stuck. First thing
> to try (with all programs closed) is to repeatedly tap the Ctrl keys and
> then the Alt keys and then the Shift keys, as this will sometimes
> "unstick" them temporarily, as will a reboot.
>
> Install and run this little free utility:
> Shortcuts Map - manage hotkeys assigned to Windows shortcuts
> http://www.zealsoft.com/shortcuts/
>
> Look through the keyboard shortcuts it lists on your system, and see if
> any include the H key or the Shift+H combination.
>
> Post back with what you find.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
> A+
> http://dts-l.net/

Nifty utility. Unfortunately it appears to employ some dirty tricks -
Windows 7 does not like it one bit!

"Pegasus [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:uN4%(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> "glee" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> snip
>>
>> Capital H means you are using Shift+H to type the capital.
>> You may have a keyboard shortcut set up (with or without your
>> knowledge) to do this, that uses Shift+H, perhaps in combination with
>> the Ctrl key (like Ctrl+Shift+H) and the Ctrl key is electronically
>> stuck. First thing to try (with all programs closed) is to
>> repeatedly tap the Ctrl keys and then the Alt keys and then the Shift
>> keys, as this will sometimes "unstick" them temporarily, as will a
>> reboot.
>>
>> Install and run this little free utility:
>> Shortcuts Map - manage hotkeys assigned to Windows shortcuts
>> http://www.zealsoft.com/shortcuts/
>>
>> Look through the keyboard shortcuts it lists on your system, and see
>> if any include the H key or the Shift+H combination.
>>
>> Post back with what you find.
>
> Nifty utility. Unfortunately it appears to employ some dirty tricks -
> Windows 7 does not like it one bit!

The web page states it's only compatible up to XP...so it likely won't
work on Vista and Seven. Too bad....I like it. I've used it since my
Win95 days.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

isaacc wrote:
> I appreciate the effort in responsing but I'm not sure how your
> advice makes any sesne. In any other application the keyboard
> correctly generates a capital 'H'. Only when Windows Explorer is open
> is the capital 'H' intercepted and sends the focus to Windows
> Explorer.


The centuries of combined experience on this group causes "another keyboard"
to bubble up to the top of the diagnostic tools and fixes for just such a
symptom.

It doesn't matter whether it makes sense to you. A different keyboard is the
virtually unanimous suggestion.

Try a different keyboard and report back.

Isaacc

You not going mad I have the same problem on 2 different computers.

Both with lower case h moving focus to Windows Explorer. Both running XP Home.

It's NOT the keyboard!!!!

Any ideas, other than change keyboard, much appreciated

Richard

"isaacc" wrote:

>
> I'm experiencing the weirdest problem that suddenly cropped up. Capital 'H'
> has been re-assigned such that it switches to Windows Explorer if an instance
> of Windows Explorer is open. I'll be typing in Word for example and suddenly
> I switch to Windows Explorer but it happens whiule using any application. It
> is most annoying to have to remember always whether I have an instance of
> Windows Explorer open.
>
> Where would I look to see if a keyboard letter has been re-assigned by some
> malicious app for example. I looked in the Control Panel but I don't see
> where individual key assignments can be made.
>
> Thanks.