Ctrl button doesn't work with other buttons

Question

Hello: I am unable to use the ctrl+t (open new tab), ctrl+c or ctrl+v (copy/paste) among other ctrl commands while using word processing software and web browsers. I know that the ctrl key itself is not broken as I am able to use the ctrl+backspace and ctrl+forward (return to last page viewed) functions.

Many of the help sites I've seen focus on uninstalling the ask.com toolbar.  I uninstalled ask.com toolbar once, and the ctrl key started working again. The problem came back within a week, however, and ask.com is not a factor anymore as it has

already been uninstalled.

I have tried restarting in safe mode and checking again for ask.com. I have WINDOWS XP, not windows 7 or vista, so onscreen keyboard and clean boot doesn't seem to apply.

What else can I do to fix this problem? Any advice would be appreciated.

J

Answer 1

Hi,

You may try to perform system restore which will restore back the computer to the point when it was working fine.

How to restore Windows XP to a previous state

Hope the information helps.

Please post back and let us know.

Answer 2

Hello: Thanks for the suggestions. I tried on-screen keyboard. If I hit ctrl using the onscreen keyboard simultaneously with "x" (cut), "c" (copy), and so forth, I can use those functions. But I still cannot hit ctrl and a button on the regular keyboard and use those functions. What else should I try?

I tried your suggestion of creating a new user account w/ admin privilege and that didn't work either.

Thanks,

J

Answer 3

Hi jbautista83,

You can open on-screen keyboard in Windows XP as well.

Let’s follow these methods & check if it helps.

Method 1

You may follow these steps to open on-screen keyboard in Windows XP.

a. Click the Start menu, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click On-Screen Keyboard to open On-Screen Keyboard.

b. To return to your document, place your cursor where you want to begin.

c. To close On-Screen Keyboard, click Close.

Method 2

As a test, you may create a new user account with administrative privilege and check if the issue persists.

How to create and configure user accounts in Windows XP

Hope the information helps.

Please post back and let us know.

Answer 4

I wrote above that I have windows XP, not windows 7 or vista, so on-screen keyboard does not seem to apply. I tried restarting in safe mode. Please let me know if you have any other suggestions.

Answer 5

Hi jbautista83,

Did you make any changes on your computer prior to this issue?

Let’s follow these methods & check if it helps.

Method 1

You may follow this link to use the on-screen keyboard in the computer.

Turn On and Use On-Screen Keyboard

Method 2

You may boot the computer into ‘safe mode’ and check if the issue persists. It will start Windows XP with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs do not run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed, follow the steps to boot the computer in safe mode:

a. Restart the computer.

b. Start tapping F8 key.

c. You will get advanced boot option window.

d. Select the option “Safe mode”.

For more information, refer this link:

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP

Hope the information helps.

Please post back and let us know.