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Caps Lock Message

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by AjsNightmare, 2006/08/18.

  1. 2006/08/18
    AjsNightmare

    AjsNightmare Inactive Thread Starter

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    Dunno how I've managed it but I've started getting a message in my lower right corner, just above the system tray that says "CAPS LOCK: ON/OFF" whenever I press the thing. It's darn annoying and I can't seem to find another thread on the issue, if anyone knows how to disable this it would be appreciated.
     
  2. 2006/08/18
    ski123

    ski123 Inactive

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    Check and reconfigure your Accessibility Options in Control Panel.


    ski123
     

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  4. 2006/08/18
    Welshjim

    Welshjim Inactive

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  5. 2006/08/19
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Hi, AjsNightmare.

    What specific keyboard make/model do you have?

    By any chance did you recently install/activate any software enhancement for your keyboard?

    For example, I have a "iTouch" software installed for my Logitech keyboard that displays "Caps Lock On" or "Caps Lock Off" in bright green letters on my monitor whenever I hit the Caps Lock key.

    I am able to configure the Logitech iTouch software
    (accessible via Start > All Programs > iTouch > iTouch Configuration) to disable "Show on-screen key effects ".

    Perhaps you have a similar keyboard and/or software that is configurable?
     
  6. 2006/08/19
    AjsNightmare

    AjsNightmare Inactive Thread Starter

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    I'd gone through accessibility options before posting, couldn't find anything there to change it. I've also been through those 2 links and I cannot find anything to help me there either, I had been through google extensively previously.

    I use a standard Dell keyboard, the only recent installation is a window update, whether this is the root of the problem I don't know. Here's a screenshot of the offending item:

    http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8296/capslockjb5.jpg

    Note that it also brings up a message for num lock and scroll lock.
     
  7. 2006/08/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    The Caps Lock, etc message is not the result of a recent Windows update AFAIK - I have had this for as long as I remember and hardly notice it :) The message pops up and then fades away after 2-3 seconds.

    I have always used MS keyboards, currently Wireless, with their Intellitype software. As you have a Dell keyboard it is unlikely that you have that software so that is not the culprit, especially as I also see the messages on my new HP laptop.

    I have searched around for some info. on this, but drawn a blank.
     
  8. 2006/08/19
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Hi, AjsNightmare.

    I Googled "CAPS LOCK: ON" inurl:dell and found a Dell forum thread that might relate to your issue (including comments from a Dell representative/moderator):
    There isn't a specific fix described in the thread but someone provided a link to registry merge workaround instructions (disabling the Caps Lock key altogether) at the end of the thread that might satisfy your wishes:
    Anyway, AjsNightmare, I still suspect you have 3rd-party software (or perhaps even Dell software) active somewhere on your computer that enables you to disable/enable the "CAPS LOCK: ON/OFF" notification. It seems you just need to find it.

    Perhaps you can use Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel to find the culprit and disable it.

    I'm sorry I don't have a specific fix (yet). :( If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

    EDIT: By the way, what brand/model is your computer? Perhaps we can use that information to locate a specific fix.
     
    Last edited: 2006/08/19
  9. 2006/08/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I beg to differ on this - I believe it to be a function of Windows. I have no third party keyboard software on my computers and still see the messages. I think it is a Windows function which appears to be undocumented.
     
  10. 2006/08/19
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Hi, Pete.

    I certainly do not dispute your conclusion. :) I'm just not ready to accept it yet (although your "no third party keyboard software on my computers" statement certainly makes me doubt my memory :)).

    I just don't remember ever seeing a Caps Lock notification on my machine like the one AjsNightmare showed (and I haven't been using my Logitech keyboard for more than a year or so). Perhaps my memory is just too fuzzy.

    I disabled Logitech iTouch's "Show on-screen key effects" on my machine and then hit the Caps Lock key to test. The only notification I got was the light on my keyboard. There was no notification displayed on my screen. Apparently there is no native Windows XP on-screen caps lock notification feature currently active on my machine (although that may have somehow been removed at one time).


    This seems like an interesting issue to get to the bottom of. :) When I get around to buying my new hard drives, I'll try to remember to test for the Caps Lock on-screen notification with a vanilla install from my slipstreamed XP Home SP2 CD.

    Perhaps the Caps Lock notification feature is included with Windows XP Professional and not Home.

    I searched my entire registry (with Lavasoft's RegHance v2.1) for strings I guessed might yield results.

    • I searched for capslock and found nothing.
    • I searched for capsl and still nothing.
    • I searched for capsn and still nothing.
    • EDIT: I searched for caps and found too many results to be of any use to me anyway.
    Do you come up with the same results for your XP Professional registry?

    EDIT: It would be nice to know exactly where the Caps Lock notification feature/setting resides (registry or otherwise). Let's see if we can pin it down. :D


    AjsNightmare
    , which flavor of Windows XP do you use, Professional or Home? Is it Retail or OEM?
     
    Last edited: 2006/08/19
  11. 2006/08/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    mailman
    Essentially, yes - the entries which do come up are the search entries on this subject in Google toolbar :)

    I checked out Vista beta 2 and on that OS there are no such mesages. That is on a vanilla install with an MS wired keyboard and no Intellitype software.

    Interesting one this - would certainly be nice to nail down the source :cool:
     
  12. 2006/08/19
    Welshjim

    Welshjim Inactive

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  13. 2006/08/19
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Hi, Pete.

    I had edited my post above with this information and noticed you had replied while I was editing. Therefore, I moved some of those edits to this post to try to maintain the integrity of your response.

    I searched my registry for keynotif and found two results:
    • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{6F77C993-D2B1-446E-853E-5912EFC8A286}
      REG_SZ Value = ITfPreservedKeyNotifySink
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{6F77C993-D2B1-446E-853E-5912EFC8A286}
      REG_SZ Value = ITfPreservedKeyNotifySink
    There are subfolders (NumMethods and ProxyStubClsid32) in both of those registry locations with values that might be related. I have very little understanding of the registry so I don't dare experiment with changing it in this case. :)

    • NumMethods REG_SZ Value = 4
    • ProxyStubClsid32 REG_SZ Value = {B5F8FB3B-393F-4F7C-84CB-504924C2705A}
     
    Last edited: 2006/08/19
  14. 2006/08/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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  15. 2006/08/19
    lj50 Lifetime Subscription

    lj50 SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    I've checked those reg keys and have the same Value Data as you do mailman. So that might not be the solution, unless, AjsNightmare's value data differs.
     
  16. 2006/08/19
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Pete, thanks for checking.

    I hopped in the shower right after that post and didn't take time to investigate it yet. I'll try to limit registry key posts to stuff I think might be relevant for our quest (so I don't send people on wild goose chases).

    I tried Googling {B5F8FB3B-393F-4F7C-84CB-504924C2705A} and did not find anything useful.

    I Googled {6F77C993-D2B1-446E-853E-5912EFC8A286} and found some "interesting" (non-useful) results (only 3 results, with one red site, according to SiteAdvisor).

    At any rate, the keys I identified appear to be a dead-end.


    lj50, thanks for checking your registry and your apparent interest in comparing. It's good to know those appear to be "normal" registry keys.

    I'm curious. Do you have those caps lock notifications pop up above your system tray like Pete and AjsNightmare? If so, then that lends more creditibility to Pete's hunch that it's native to Windows XP. If not, then, welll...I dunno. :confused:

    In either case, are you running XP Pro or Home? Retail or OEM?


    Anyone else, feel free to chime in with your configuration and observations. :)
     
  17. 2006/08/19
    lj50 Lifetime Subscription

    lj50 SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    I'm running XP Pro Full OEM Version and no Caps Lock notification popping up.
     
  18. 2006/08/19
    AjsNightmare

    AjsNightmare Inactive Thread Starter

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    I've found the problem from randomly ending processes in Task Manager, something someone has installed with a phone kit which left a bluetooth icon on the system tray. Ah the joys of a shared home computer.

    The process was called BTTray.exe, incase anyone else has the same problem, I've just gone into msconfig and disabled it on startup so no more troubles hopefully!
     
  19. 2006/08/19
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Hi, AjsNightmare.

    I'm glad you appear to have solved your issue! :) Congratulations!

    Thanks for reporting back with the BTTray.exe process details.



    Pete, if you don't use BTTray.exe, do you still want to try to figure out the source of your Caps Lock on-screen display popup? I don't really want to let this thread go until we figure out where yours is coming from too. :)

    In any case, I'll try to remember to test a slipstreamed Retail Windows XP Home SP2 CD vanilla installation when I finally get around to buying a couple hard drives. Once I do that, I'll post my results here in case you feel like investigating.

    Since lj50 doesn't see those pop-up notifications either, I'm thinking perhaps there is something you typically include/enable during or shortly after your Windows installations that others do not. However, since you stated your vanilla install of Vista beta does not have the pop-up, I wonder if the mysterious variable is U.S.A. vs export versions of Windows XP (since you're in Europe).

    Since you seem to like having the pop-up notification (at least you are not annoyed by it), I can understand any possible lack of investigative motivation your part. :)
     
    Last edited: 2006/08/19
  20. 2006/08/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    mailman

    I spent my entire working life in Research and development (copper industry - casting) so I guess I have an instinctive desire to 'find things out'. However this particular feature is one that I quite like and I am not seeking a means of turning it off :)

    That said some further information .....

    I do not have BTTray.exe installed or running on my desktop, nor do I have any wireless devices of any sort attached. However, on my laptop BTTray is installed and running and as one might expect from AjsNightmare's experience ending the process through Task Manager removes the messages.

    It may or may not be relevant, but the visual appearance of the message on the laptop is the same as AjsNightmare posted, but on the desktop, running XP in Classic mode the visual appearance is different - the location is the same - screenshot (Edit: cannot capture as it appears to be an overlay)

    The fact that the messages do not show in Vista is not relevant to this discussion IMO, it is a different OS and I have it installed on another desktop with different mobo, etc.

    Another interesting point you raise is that of regionality. The XP CD for the current installation of XP on the desktop was sourced from the States - from the Microsoft Store as part of my MVP benefits.

    I shall be loading an XP upgrade - also sourced from MS in the States, to a friend's computer in the near future and will see what happens there.

    I certainly intend to pursue this, but at low priority as time permits - just out of interest :)
     
  21. 2006/08/20
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Hi, Pete.

    That sounds fair enough. :)

    I'll let you know my experience with a USA vanilla install. I'll also see if I can snag a no-frills keyboard to use for the test.

    If you happen to think of any other possible variables I should try to eliminate, please let me know.

    BTW, since around the first day of installation, I run Windows XP in Classic mode too, mainly because it uses less area around the borders of windows than XP, especially the title bars (if I recall correctly).

    I'll test for the Caps Lock notification in both modes.
     

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