Loss of desktop control - Multimedia Keyboard / system problem?

[Paul]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could help me out with a very strange
problem I've encountered recently.

I have Windows XP Pro which has recently developed a problem,
apparently related to the 'quick keys' on the multimedia keyboard
(although it has happened by itself a few times). I've used 3
different multimedia keyboards now and they all force the problem to
occur. It started when I was using the volume control on the keyboard,
and suddenly the mouse and keyboard become completely
inactive...*except* for the Windows Key and CTRL+ALT+DEL actions (all
the low level system interrupts). The mouse does move around, but
nothing on the desktop can be interacted with via mouse or keyboard.

The system is definately not hung and the CPU is not being thrashed
(just idling). Pressing the Windows Key opens the Start menu
immediately, but of course you can't use the cursor keys to move
around the menu! The only way out of the situation is to use
CTRL+ALT+DEL and select Shut Down --> Reboot (the cursor keys work
fine there!)

It's almost as if there is a process or application 'capturing' all of
the keyboard and mouse input!? I've done a complete virus and spyware
scan and everything is clean. What is most annoying is that I can't
think of anything in particular that has changed on the system to have
caused this. No new apps recently etc.

(If I don't use the keyboard quick keys, the problem will eventually
occur by itself completely unexpectedly. However, it seems the quick
keys will *always* force the problem).

Has anyone ever experienced this?!
Any help / comments are very welcome.
Thanks,
Paul

 

[Bugs]

Hi disjuku,
Many thanks for your help.
I had uninstalled all of the old keyboard drivers (Logitech) and
allowed Windows to auto detect and install the new multimedia keyboard
drivers...as shown below in device manager:
- Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
(it is a PS/2 keyboard)

The new keyboard is a non-branded one and came with no drivers (works
with XP default drivers apparently + hot keys). I've just done a manual
'uninstall' of this driver and rebooted just to make sure it had
auto-detected correctly...and the problem still occurs!

Can anyone shed any light on how does Windows manage the 'quick keys'
on these multimedia keyboards? (There's about 19 on this keyboard!)

Thanks