Missing Control, Alt, Delete in Win98SE

I use windows 98SE . I don't know what has happened,but I no longer have the ability to use the "Control, Alt, Delete" function. If the computer hangs, I just either have to wait it out or hit the main power button to shut it down. I did use the Windows 98SE disk to reinstall missing files,but that has not corrected the problem. Any clues? Other than that my 3 year old computer hums along with just a few Hicups here and there. I am adventureous and am not afraid to try any suggestions.

 

Do you mean that you seem to have no cntrl/alt/del function just during a hang or freeze and when system is fine so is the key shortcut combo.

In other words cntrl/alt/del:
A] never works at all
or
B] stalls on a hang

 

It is totally missing. If I knew a little more about the computer, I might know exactly how to explain it. The only thing I can relate to as far as messages are concerned is that when I boot up ,I do sometimes have the message of a STUCK KEY. What that means I do not know. I looked in the Bios and found I could proceed down from the entry ENGLISH Language ,but I couldn't move up to where Memory and some other things are located. There was no problem using the arrows to move left or right . Just that one column where the information on memory, and Language are listed. I don't know if this could be part of the problem.

 

The phrase "Stuck Key" is literal, you have a key that is stuck or a malfunctioning keyboard.

The surest way is to try another keyboard to see if problem is reproduced. Got another keyboard?

You could try eyeballing it to see if there is a stuck key on the keyboard. If all keys appear to be ok and you have a standard desktop computer with keyboard attempt to turn keyboard over and gently hit the back of the keyboard to loosen any dirt or hair that may be stuck in the keyboard.

Make sure all your plug connections are secure.

Could try a safemode bootup and removing keyboard and allowing windows to redetect and install it again upon a reboot.

But as stated the surest fastest way is to try another keyboard.

 

No I don't have one ,but I believe I can get one tomorrow from a friend. Thanks again for your help. It could be the keyboard is the problem. I hadn't even thought of that.

 

Thanks for the update.

Please remember to....

Once you can confrim or rule out the keyboard as a factor, come back and share the news with us. If it turns out not to be the keyboard then we can move on to the other possibilities.

And your most welcome .

 

Open system.ini and ensure that under (the [386Enh] section) LocalReboot is set to = On (or, if the line is missing, add it and save).

 

whuffins,

Just a thought on the keyboard, if you haven't tried a different one yet. Take the keyboard, lift it about 6 inches, and drop it on your desk. That should unstick any keys that are stuck. If that helps, get yourself some compressed air and clean out the keyboard.

Mike

 

Thanks Guys, I have compressed air so I tried the drop the keyboard bit and then used the compressed air. I did get a bit of bread and cookie crumbs out. I also had the suggestion to look in system ini. under 386Enh to see if the Local Reboot is On. or missing. It is not there. I have never altered the system ini file so I will wait to try that after I try a different keyboard. I won't know if anythig works until I hang again. Don't you hate things that appear to be a problem only once in a while.

 

Thought you said ctrl/alt/del doesn't function at anytime.

Are you now saying that after the keyboard cleanup you can use key combo ctrl/alt/del?