Shift key acts as if it was constantly pressed

I have a user who uses a Dell Latitude D620 laptop with XP Pro.
Randomly throughout the day the shift key just locks up even though it
is not even being pressed down all the time. They are then unable to
release the shift key from this state even though it is not pressed
down. This affects all applications that uses the shift key - Excel
tries to select a block of cells instead of a single cell and in
Explorer when you press on 1 file/folder, it selects every thing from
the 1st file/folder in the list.

What would cause this and is there a quick way to relase it?

 

Coca-cola can cause it. And you can cure that at the car wash.

 

Its a brand new laptop. No spillages, the keyboard completely clean and I've
never found a car wash suitable for laptops.

Any sensible advice?

 

Maybe, hold the Right shift key down for a long time, a requester will
pop up, go to the settings and see if sticky keys is set.

 

Tie a helium balloon around the shift key.

 

If Pennywise's advice doesn't help, I'd be returning it for warranty
repair or replacement since it's brand new and defective.

 

You COULD get an industrial contact cleaner spray, they leave no
residue, not anything a moron in a computer store would notice
anyway. They cost about $15-25. Spray under the key, not TOO
much, use a paper towel to avoid overspray everywhere - those
cans pack a lot of punch.

All new keyboards are membrane, and membrane keyboards are crap.
You CAN get real keyboards, but it appears in laptop universe it
is more important that the stupid thing be 1/4" thick than that
it work as it should.

So returning it MAY be the only way to fix this.

If you CAN NOT return it for some reason, you can get a "key
remap" utility and make another (like ctrl) key do what the
shift key does and disable the shift key altogether, or
something like that. But that would be a bit of a nuisance IMO.

 

Take it back to the supplier and ask for a replacement.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/consumer_affairs/buying_goods_your_rights.htm

Wipe any personal data from the drive first though. Especially if you
deal with PCW

 

Can I ship my lusers back too? They're defective as well.

Example:

Yesterday, during a meeting, I actually heard, with my own ears, the phrase
"Things would be much easier to access if we only had an intranet."

I already have a knot on my forehead from banging it on the desk, so I'll be
under it, whimpering.

 

It's going to be a bitch trying to get RMAs for those.

 

Stamp em "Return to Sender"

 

I don't want RMAs. I just want to send them back. To anywhere.

Well, ok, I know where *I'd* like to send them, but unfortunately that's
illegal.

Crap. <sigh>

 

Send 'em to Google Gropes. Then only masochists and other lusers will
see them.

 

They're not even smart enough to stumble their way to posting through google. Or
using gmail. Hell, they aren't even smart enough to figure out that there's
other search engines besides MSN.

Yes, it really did happen.

 

hi all,

I am also suffering from this issue. It's a total nightmare!

Usually, locking (win key + L) + unlocking resolves, but I've had occasions where I can't enter the correct password (different case recognised?)

[email protected] USING A DELL LATITUDE D^£)< DEFAULT CONFIG HAS " LANGUAGES (ENGLISH + FRENCH) (JUST STARTED HAVING THE ISSUE AS I TYPE!)

that was a D630 btw...with english + french. remved other languages, and deactivated shortcuts for sticky keys / filter keys / toggle keys...

still have the problem. Currently on an NEC PS2 keyboard into the docking bay, but think it also occurs using the keyboard on the laptop.

Any ideas most welcome!

Thanks

Jonny