Accessibility cannot be disabled

[Kolya]

Hi I'm new on this forum so please be patient. I've done a search on my
problem here but I couldn't find a solution. :\
Well the title tells it all: I cannot reset the accessibility options in
winxp.
Meaning the computer acts like the windows key is stuck: pressing "e" for
example brings up Explorer everytime, "l" locks the comp down . I first
replaced the keyboard that wasn't it though.
Then I found the accessibility options, unchecked everything and it did
nothing.
Then I turned off "fast user switching" (I'm translating the German
labeling here.), turned accesibility on and off again - to no avail.
I found out that the strange beahviour can be temporarily disabled by
hitting ctrl+alt+del, but only for the current session.
Restarting the computer brings back the failure.
Can someone please help me with this?

Kolya

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore to
take you back to a time when this worked properly. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore. If that doesn't resolve
it, try the information below.

The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:

Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

 

[Kolya]

Thank you for your help Michael!
I will check this out and report what solution works the best.

Kolya

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

You're welcome, good luck.

 

[Kolya]

Hi,
sorry that it took me so long to answer.
Anyway I tried all of the above (getting back to a restore point, sfc
/scannow, repair-install) - but to no avail.
I then formatted the drive and did a brand new winxp-install. And guess
what - it's still the same.
This seems to indicate a hardware-error of some kind. But as I said I have
already replaced the keyboard and the error is temporarily resolvable by
pressing a key-combination.
I'm kind of lost at the nature of this problem.

Kolya

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

You need to check the drivers for your various hardware and see if they are
all up to date. Check the device manufacturer's websites for this do not
use Windows Update.

Also, if you have not already done so, place the XP CD in the drive, when
the setup screen appears, select Check System Compatibility, the report it
generates may point to a possible source for the issue.

If you install special software for the keyboard or mouse, check the
manufacturer's websites for updated versions. Do this even if they are
brand new and you installed from the out of box disk as you have no way of
knowing how long the product sat on the shelf before being purchased and
drivers and software update regularly.