Windows 7: System thinks CTRL key is pressed when it isn't

I just bought a brand new laptop running Windows 7 64 bit 5 days ago. When typing, the computer suddenly acts as if the ctrl key is pressed when it isn't. Any letter typed will perform the action it would if the ctrl key is pressed. This can only be remedied by a complete reboot. I have googled this problem and found many posts about it but no clear solution. I do not have sticky keys enabled.



Anyone have any experience with this problem?

I haven't had the problem but one way to get companies to fix things is by having their receiving department start filling up with returned merchandise. If it were my 5-day old computer, it would be going back to the store or place of purchase via RMA.

have you been using remote desktop recently? theres an old bug that hasnt been fixed that normally only effects the windows key, making windows think its being held... however it may hinder ctrl if you dont have a windows key.

the usual fix is jsut to hammer the key between 6-12 times

The key isn't actually physically stuck. I haven't even touched the key when this happens and a reboot solves the problem ~ leading me to believe this is a software issue. It may be a hardware driver issue, but I don't think it's a hardware issue (i.e., I couldn't physically unstick a key by restarting the system).

And I don't even know what remote desktop is, so I'm pretty sure I haven't been using it.

Where it could be an actual physical defect with the keyboard beyond just the plastic keys it could also be driver related.
Are you using any kind of external keyboard either wireless, docking station, or wired?
If so I would roll back those drivers, see if that fixes issue, then obtain a fresh copy of the drives online, then reinstall them.

Do you have windows update on?
Possible this is a known issue with the computer and a recent driver update has been released already.
Go to Start->RightClick.Computer->Device Manager find Keyboards, click arrow, RightClick go to update driver software, then let windows find best one. If a new one is available then it will be downloaded and installed for you, you may have to reboot.

If not it may be more of a defect and I would return computer, most will have 30-90 days, just don't wait.

You could also look into uninstalling and installing keyboard drivers if you can find them.

I do have updates on, but when I go into my event viewer, there are a lot of errors about windows update that are sort of not understandable. There are 256 errors and warnings for a 5 day old computer. Does that seem like a lot?

I'm not using an external keyboard, but I am using an external mouse.

It's hard to tell quickly if something has fixed the problem because it's a recurring problem, not a constant one. But I will try the fixes you suggested and report back.

Thanks for your assistance!

I went through device manager and Windows says the driver for my keyboard is up to date.

Since it is a 6 day old PC you may just want to return it at this point. I would make sure you remove anything you installed that may be private.
Since you will be uninstalling things in order to return it, I would run the system recovery and go back to factory defaults, see if it still happens before returning it, may be some conflict with something installed.
If you got it from a computer store like a best buy or microcenter take it in, they are pretty good about most of these things.
I am also wondering if this issue would happen if you used an external keyboard for a while.

yeah I'd def return that thing. I bet the keyboard is bad is all. but you never know.

It's AUGUST 8. My Ctrl Key is sticking ... Your exact problem from 9 months ago ...

Did you find a solution ? (I sure hope so)

Maybe you would email me directly ... drive45@juno.com ... Larry

(I hope I am not breaking a rule by asking this)