Obscure problem

[Terry Pinnell]

This may have no direct connection to XP. But I'm hoping to get some
insight into possible causes to explore please. Maybe from a
programmer. Or perhaps a pointer to a more appropriate specialised
group.

I have for years used a keyboard macro program, (called Stiletto, now
obsolete and unsupported), which lets me enter commonly used text with
a hotkey. I use it widely when opening and saving files, to go to
specific folders. For example, typing '=ma' (without the quotes) in
any application's File Open dialog enters 'D:\Docs\My Pictures\Maps'.
(The '=' character is a user-chosen prefix; it could be anything I
like. Changing it doesn't solve the problem.)

Recently something very odd has started happening, and after much
research I've still not isolated the cause. The *first* time I enter
say '=ma', nothing happens. But if I backspace or delete and re-enter
it, the keyboard macro works as usual. While the dialog remains open,
further hotkey entries all work OK. It's just that very *first* one
that fails. The whole of it needs to be re-typed; not just the 'a' or
the 'm' but the '=' too.

The most likely area to me seems Windows XP Explorer, but I'm not
getting any further. Any ideas anyone?

 

[Alan Edwards]

Perhaps Stiletto is a bit old for XP?
PowerPro replaced it in 1998.
Have you tried to contact Bruce Switzer? (assuming he is still about)
Have you tried asking at the PowerPro forum?

....Alan

 

[Jon]

Could try a newer version of the program

http://powerpro.webeddie.com/

Jon

 

[Terry Pinnell]

Could try a newer version of the program

http://powerpro.webeddie.com/

Jon

Thanks both. Don't want to go down the PowerPro route. Stiletto suits
me fine, and cannot afford the reinvestment to learn PP. Did have a
crack at it once, but found transfer of some of my hundreds of
Stiletto commands problematic. This is a *recent* problem, so it's not
*inherent* to Stiletto. Clearly some conflict with something else. But
what?!

Haven't asked about this particular problem in the PP forum, which
would be one step further OT! No support from Bruce since Jan '99 on
Stiletto.

 

[Ron Sommer]

What updates or new progams have been installed in the last two weeks?

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

On Thu, 14 Jul 2005 08:08:22 +0100, Terry Pinnell

I have for years used a keyboard macro program, (called Stiletto, now
obsolete and unsupported), which lets me enter commonly used text with
a hotkey. I use it widely when opening and saving files, to go to
specific folders. For example, typing '=ma' (without the quotes) in
any application's File Open dialog enters 'D:\Docs\My Pictures\Maps'.
(The '=' character is a user-chosen prefix; it could be anything I
like. Changing it doesn't solve the problem.)

Recently something very odd has started happening, and after much
research I've still not isolated the cause. The *first* time I enter
say '=ma', nothing happens. But if I backspace or delete and re-enter
it, the keyboard macro works as usual. While the dialog remains open,
further hotkey entries all work OK. It's just that very *first* one
that fails. The whole of it needs to be re-typed; not just the 'a' or
the 'm' but the '=' too.

It does sound like some sort of failure to init, doesn't it? Maybe a
difference between what is active in RAM and what is on disk, or
something like that? Yes, you may need the help of someone with
insight into how .DLL loading and core APIs work.

Prompted by your assertion that this used to work, I'd start by
state-charting your mileage in these environments:
- Safe Mode
- Normal Windows with MSConfig startup suppression
- Normal Windows

If none work, then you may want to try NirSoft's excallent Shell
Extensions Viewer, to reversably disable shell integrations that
MSConfig offers no control over, and Safe may not suppress.

You may also want to formally exclude malware, and after that, compare
the date of onset of your problems with your OS patching history.
Problems with patches may be supported by MS, so if you get this far,
and can pin it down to a particular month's patches, enquire further.

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The most accurate diagnostic instrument
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