CTRL-ALT-DEL doesn't work, XP Home ed, SP2

[Ed]

I can launch taskmgr from the tool bar menu at the bottom of the
desktop, but not with the traditional
3-finger salute. What would cause this? I've read here about malware
making taskmgr inoperative,
but not just the shortcut. I've done full scan with Panda Titanium
2005 with up to date threat data.

TIA

Ed

 

[Wesley Vogel]

To start Task Manager:

Ctrl + Alt + Delete
or
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
or
Right click the Taskbar | Task Manager
or
Start | Run | Type: taskmgr | Click OK
or
Create a Desktop Shortcut to taskmgr.exe
or
Double click on C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe

Ctrl + Alt + Delete opens the Windows Security window if the Welcome screen
is turned off.

Turn on the Welcome screen...
1. In Control Panel, click User Accounts.
2. Click Change the way users log on or off.
3. Click to select the Use the welcome screen for fast and easy logon check
box.
4. Click OK.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Ed]

Wesley,

Must admit I was unaware of some of these methods. However,
sometimes applications will
put up a splash screen that completely obscures the Task bar, in
which case CTRL-ALT-DEL
is the only way to get to the task manager, IF it is indeed working.
The question I asked, is
how to get CTRL-ALT-DEL to do that. As I said, one of my machines
does nothing but
make a tiny noise in the box when I do CTRL-ALT-DEL.

Any idea what might have happened to cause that? How to make it work?

Thanks.

Ed

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Ed,

Ctrl + Alt + Delete opens the Windows Security window if the Welcome screen
is turned off instead of opening the Task Manager.

Turn on the Welcome screen...
1. In Control Panel, click User Accounts.
2. Click Change the way users log on or off.
3. Click to select the Use the welcome screen for fast and easy logon check
box.
4. Click OK.

Ctrl + Shift + Esc should always work to open the Task Manager unless there
is a virus.

[[When you open System Configuration Utility [MSCONFIG], Registry Editor or
Task Manager, they flash for a second and quit. This symptom is caused by
Viruses.]]

Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/ToolsQuit.htm

UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode will prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Ed]

Wesley,

That's not quite on the point I raised. I CAN launch Task Manager from
the task bar menu,
or execute it from the Start|Run dialog. the problem is the
CTRL-ALT-DEL SHORTCUT
doesn't work.

TIA,

Ed

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Sorry Ed,

There's a Group Policy that can disable the Task Manager with Ctrl + Alt +
Del.
Fix here...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

51. Right hand side.
Enable the Task Manager - Disable Task Manager
Click on Enable the Task Manager

taskmanager.reg is the file that you want.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Normally there is an error message that says Task Manager has been disable
by the Administrator or explaining that a policy prevents using Task
Manager.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In