Win Shift Gone Crazy

TobyT · Mar 2, 2013

OS 10.6.8 with 8 GB RAM - not upgraded to Mountain Lion, etc. - used only for internet access and photo editing
Parallels 6.0.1.12092 - not upgraded because I'm running XP Pro
Windows XP Pro SP2 with internet access blocked except for anti-virus updates - will NEVER UPGRADE the OS
ZoneAlarm - free
Avast 8.0.1482 - paid
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
WordPerfect, Quattro, Paradox, TMG, etc.

Out of the blue, every time I engage the Windows shift key it throws me into a menu and then to the Logout/Restart screen. Given that all my work, other than internet and photo, is done on the Windows desktop this is infuriating. I can't find help in the Parallels archives.

I've reinstalled the keyboard; reinstalled Parallels Tools, repaired Mac permissions = no joy. Nothing seems to stop this behavior. Nothing was upgraded or installed recently, other than the virus database in Avast. This is a totally blocked, static Windows desktop.

What can I do?
TobyT

TobyT · Mar 2, 2013

Fixed Itself????

Last night I couldn't fix it. I left for a seminar after I posted this morning, returning late this afternoon. The key is working normally now. Cue theme music from "The Twilight Zone." I did NOTHING further today to fix this. So what occurred and why is it now fixed? Inquiring minds want to know!
TobyT

GuidonDB · Mar 3, 2013

A bit 'magical' butâ€¦

When I've had problems with Parallels going a bit nuts with keys (e.g., key stuck on repeat, caps lock stuck or reversed, Command key going to lock screen) I've found that switching view modes seems to reset things â€” for instance, switching from Full Screen to Window mode and then back again.

No idea how reliable this is or why it works, but it's done the trick for me in the past.

TobyT · Mar 3, 2013

Thanks, GuidonDB. I'm wondering if the total Shutdown may not have done the trick. Previously, I only performed a Restart. Sometimes, with Windows (blast its black little heart), Restart doesn't seem to do the trick. Thing is: this has happened before, but I can't find my notes as to how I fixed it. This time, I threw everything I could think of at it!
TobyT