Some keyboard shortcuts cause XP to hand briefly

[Michael Quinion]

Increasingly over recent weeks, an intermittent problem causes keyboard
shortcuts I've set up to start applications cause the computer to hang for
about 45-60 seconds and then return to normal service with the application
starting.

This does not affect some inbuilt Windows shortcuts (alt-tab, for example),
nor those associated with the programmed extra keys on my Internet keyboard,
nor those programmed into apps that minimise to the Tray to restore them to
view. However, the Windows-M shortcut doesn't work during the timeout. I can
use the mouse to select applications already loaded, which continue to work
as they should, keyboard input included. However, the Start button and icons
on the taskbar are locked out from mouse actions.

I've tried expedients such as putting shortcut icons either on the Start
menu or on the Desktop. Both suffer the problem.

This is extremely annoying, since I use keyboard shortcuts a lot. Can
anybody suggest tests that might show where the problem lies? Does XP keep a
database of shortcuts somewhere that might have become corrupted?

 

[Andrew E.]

For keyboard shortcuts in windows,read kb126449

 

[Michael Quinion]

For keyboard shortcuts in windows,read kb126449

That merely gives a list of the standard keyboard shortcut combinations. My
query concerned a fault with user-specified keyboard shortcuts that lock up
the system until some timeout kicks in.

If anyone can help with pointers towards a cause, I'd be most grateful.