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Question

All programs button keeps opening w/o meaning to

by May 3, 2012 8:40AM PDT

I have windows vista. lately when I've been working on word, or any other program, the all programs window opens on the left side of teh screen. I don't even touch the button! Any help?

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8 Posts
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Answer
Most common causes?
by Forum moderator May 3, 2012 8:58AM PDT
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Windows key keeps opening w/o meaning to
by katiebug57 May 4, 2012 4:55AM PDT

Disabled the windows key on the keyboard. Unfortunately, it didn't fix the problem. I can be typing and not hit any particular key, and it still pops open. I'd appreciate help. Also, just now, this window that I'm typing on just minimized itself, and I had to reopen it. What the heck is going on???

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Be sure voice command is off then
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 4, 2012 5:06AM PDT

We begin to look for other issues. I can't tell what it is yet because the clues are sparse. Try Grif's advice and scan for Malware. But first there is that really annoying issue with software that updates.

I was typing along and my antivirus updated and next thing I see is I've lost the last ten words. It appears I'll have to change settings on that soon.

More from Grif at http://forums.cnet.com/7726-6132_102-5098912.html?tag=posts;msg5099421

Bob

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Keyboard problems continued`
by katiebug57 May 4, 2012 6:16AM PDT

Will try the fix that Grif talked about. Can't do it right now because my husband's computer is pw protected and I can't do anything until he gets home tonight. The problem has now spread to having cursor suddenly move to another part of the screen as well as window button's window opening arbitrarily.

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Just asking
by MarkFlax Forum moderator May 4, 2012 5:29AM PDT

Is this a laptop with a tracking pad?

If so this sort of thing is a common problem. As you type you brush against the pad and that counts as 'gestures'. See if you can disable the tracking pad whilst typing.

Mark

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Keyboard probrlem
by katiebug57 May 4, 2012 6:17AM PDT

I don't know what a tracking pad is. Never had this problem until last few days.

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Keyboard problem - fixed!
by katiebug57 May 4, 2012 7:10AM PDT

You were right, Mark. It was the tracking pad! Once I figured out what a tracking pad was, I checked it. My computer had a little orange light, which indicated it was off, but when I rubbed my hand on it, it moved the cursor. What a wonderfully simple fix. I was going nuts! I thought for sure I had some sort of horrid virus, which I couldn't figure out because I regularly run scans on my computer.

Thanks, thanks, thanks!

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That's great.
by MarkFlax Forum moderator May 4, 2012 10:22PM PDT

It was just a guess because I have a laptop myself and I am always brushing against the darn pad when typing. I decided to disable it permanently and now have a proper mouse connected.

Glad you got the problem sorted.

Mark

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