Caps-Lock key no longer latching??

[philg]

I have a laptop running WIndows XP Pro (SP3) and I've noticed today that my Caps Lock key (on an external PS/2 attached keyboard) is no longer latching when I press it

In fact, if I hold the key down, the Caps Lock light comes on and then goes off almost immediately

I've been on the road for a few weeks using the laptop on its own, but this was definitely working before I left, so I must have changed some setting - but if I did, I can't find it to change it back!

This is driving me nuts, so please someone put me out of my misery

Thanks

Phil G

[ChuckFickens]

possibly filter keys turned on.

Goto the control panel > accessibility options and make sure all is unticked.

[philg]

Unfortunately that's the first place I looked - all seems OK

I'll try undocking the laptop later and see if it's own SHIFT-LOCK latches, then I may get an idea whether it's a hardware or software issue

[philg]

OK, some more info (and a tad confusing...)

Undocked, the laptops native caps lock key behaves the same - it no longer toggles on/off

During shutdown, it starts working as it should as Windows dies
Restarting in SAFE MODE, and it also works fine
During restart into normal Windows it behaves OK too

It's only when WIndows itself is in control that it becomes a non-latching key

So, it does sound like there is a setting mistake somewhere, but I'm blowed if I can find it :(

Phil G

[ChuckFickens]

the file below will reset the registry entries for the caps lock key mapping back to default just in case they have been changed somehow.

http://www.usnetizen.com/enable_capslock.reg

[philg]

Luckily you have helped me before, otherwise I'd never trust a registry change from a stranger!

Anyway, I executed the file

CapsLock is still not latching :(

So far as I can remember, the only thing that has changed since I know it WAS working was a Windows update.......

I've tried searching microsoft.com, but nothing seems to show up

Maybe I just have to wait until it magicly starts working again - real pain

[ChuckFickens]

Thanks for the trust :) (I did check it only done what it said on the tin before posting it)

I'm at a bit of a loss for this one, the only time I've ever seen it is when the caps lock has been remapped to something else and the registry file should have made sure it's not that.

Hopefully somebody else might come along that's seen it before and know the answer (I'm interested now!)

If not I'll ask a few friends who also work in IT to see if they have any ideas.

[ChuckFickens]

just a thought, try removing any hotkey software you have on the laptop and see if that changes it.

It will stop a few other things working, but if it solves it just download again and reinstall and it should stay fixed.

[wildwood]

I am at a loss why you don't just bin the keyboard and get another one. They are cheap enough.

I must be missing something as Chuck is going to great lengths for a solution.

[philg]

"I am at a loss why you don't just bin the keyboard and get another one. They are cheap enough"

Because it's not a keyboard problem - it's a problem with the way Windows is interpreting the keypress (if you read back, you sill see it's affecting BOTH the laptops own keyboard as well as an externally connected one)