OK... believe it or not, I have worked in IT for the past 10 years. You ever notice how it's the absolute DUMBEST problems that completely elude you? Here's my dilemma. I know there is a sequence of keys that you can hit that locks Windows into some short of "Shortcut key" mode. I.E. - "O" opens find/search, "N" opens My Computer, etc... during normal typing. Now these keys are normally associated with a CTRL key + said letter. I have seen this issue very few times since Windows 98. Win98 cured on reboot, XP does not. Every damn time I see it, I am at a loss as to what sequence of keys actually causes this. My remedy??? Hold down CTRL and run my hand across the keyboard. It always works after a try or 3, but it still pisses me off because I want to know what the direct actual command/key sequence it should be. No matter how I type the issue into a search engine, I get a wide range of issues that fair from stuck keys to sticky keys ;) What is the &*%$#&! key sequence to turn this $@&$ off?!? Thank you ;)

There is no shortcut mode key combination that I know of the will do what you describe. However, a stuck Windows key will have the effect you describe. The search engines were probably giving you the right answer. Stuart

Try pressing the shift and the num lock keys at the same time.....see if that works and do reply if it works or does not work

Hit Shift Key 5 times to turn on or off Sticky Keys. Your symptoms sure do sound like that is your issue. Bryan

try this CTRL+ALT+Left Shift+F12 to reset the keyboard I used to get this problem with my old presario laptop... and it is a real pain when you accidently hit THAT key combination that causes it. Also google "sticky keys" if that doesn't work, I have the feeling that that is the awesome feature which allows your keyboard to drive you insane.

Pipped at the post.... lol

"You ever notice how it's the absolute DUMBEST problems that completely elude you?" yep ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2