Bizarre-Capital 'H' re-assigned

[isaacc]

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.

 

[Bob CP]

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]

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.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

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...?

 

[LD55ZRA]

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


--
THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND. LD55ZRA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LD55ZRA
OR ITS ASSOCIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF LD55ZRA OR ITS
ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright LD55ZRA 2010.

 

[glee]

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.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

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!

 

[glee]

snip

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.

 

[HeyBub]

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.

 

[Richard E]

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

 

[Michael]

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

Here's a suggestion, Dick! What you just did is hijack a thread. You
could've just waited for a response that worked for you, but no. You just
had to take your hands off your crotch just long enough to hijack the
thread.

 

[Billns]

Here's a suggestion, Dick! What you just did is hijack a thread. You
could've just waited for a response that worked for you, but no. You
just had to take your hands off your crotch just long enough to hijack
the thread.

Give us a break, Michael.
Richard did not hijack the thread, unless you consider a lower-case h
completely different problem than an upper-case h.

Bill