tab key acting weird

Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Professional
       #11

    VMWare


    I also have this problem and am use VMware Player 3.1.3 build-32485. It is the same issue. After a period of time any use of the tab key results in a loss of focus for the active window. VERY ANNOYING when filling out forms. I am going to do some testing and see if it is related in some way to my use of VMware.

    Also, to put the suspicion that it may be a keyboard related issue to rest, I am using a laptop and when this problem occurs, BOTH the external USB keyboard and the laptop's integrated keyboard demonstrate the same symptom.

    If someone else has found a solution to this, please post it.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Professional
       #12

    I am also having this problem on a Win 7 Pro 64bit Dell Vostro that is basically brand new. I have 4 of the same machines running with all the same specs and they all use Win XP in the Virtual PC mode, but only 1 of them has this issue. Not only does the tab key not respond sometimes, but as another person had mentioned, sometimes the window changes from becoming the active window and other open programs respond to the tab key command. I've also found that sometimes the RUN box opens on the XP VM when the tab key is pressed. Restarting the VM sometimes works, most times doesn't and restarting the whole system sometimes fixes it for a time as well but it is very strange. The user is pretty frustrated by this. Since 3/4 machines are not having this problem, I am wondering if I should create a new XP VM and see if the problem reoccurs in it. ? Has anyone tried that?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #13

    Quitting VMWare worked for me


    Running Windows 7 and I noticed that my TAB key was not advancing to the next field, whether it was in a web form or Excel. Shift-TAB would work in reverse, Alt-TAB would do the right thing, but just the TAB key wouldn't work. Read the information here, quit VMWare (it was running, with just a single VM paused). And that fixed the problem, no reboot needed. Perhaps I got lucky. But definitely a VMWare connection. Strange.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #14

    I am having the same issue. Windows 7 64 bit and the tab key frequently quits working. Normally an alt-tab key combination will allow you to tab through active windows, when it starts acting up it does that with every tab key press. Very annoying when filling out forms. So far the only thing that I can find that fixes it is a reboot. I do have a Xerox printer attached as somone mentioned in a previos post, but I ended all processes that I could find related to the printer and it still didn't work. I know it's not the keyboard because I also use Synergy to share my keyboard and mouse with two other machines. When I shift the focus to one of the other two machines, the tab key functions normally, so it must be something running on the windows 7 machine, I just can't figure out what it is. I also can't pinpoint what trigggers it. It seems to happen at random. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #15

    Too funny, after I re-read my post I decided to turn off Synergy - that fixed it. I turned it back on and it it is still working. Until next time I suppose, but atleast I can fix it without rebooting. Maybe this can help someone else.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #16

    Found a "work-around"


    I am running Windows 7 Ultimate. I have a lot in common with a lot of posters here: I am using both Synergy and VMWare Workstation (6.5.x), I keep my computer on for days at a time and intermittently I have the same issue wherein my TAB key just goes on vacation. I tried turning off Synergy, then VMWare but sometimes the only fix is to reboot. But then I found a work-around. I have found that if I hit the "Windows Key - TAB" combination a few times (around 6 or 7 times), then the TAB key will start working again as it should. I read somewhere else that a user said they have to do "Windows Key - TAB" a few times and then "ALT-TAB" a few times to get it working again, but so far just doing the first one has worked for me. ...definitely quicker than a full reboot.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    none of your business cant believe have to register to post answre to help peopl;e hate you all
       #17

    Control Panel\Ease of Access\Ease of Access Center\Make the mouse easier to use


    Uncheck "Activate a window by hovering over it" worked for me. Tab didn't "break", my mouse was set to activate other stuff when ~moved.

      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #18

    Tab key acting funny


    I've had this same problem and the only fix I know is to remove the keyboard driver and reboot. The following article gives a brief description:
    My tab key doesn't work - Windows - Office
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 49
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #19

    Win 7 problem


    This is a Win 7 problem. It does not happen in Win XP
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 64 bit (Professional)
       #20

    May I have found a soln...


    I was having a similar problem this afternoon with a new laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. I knew the problem wasn't caused by newly installed software because the laptop was brand new. Then after a bit of Googling I came across a thread in a CNET forum in which some one suggested the key sequence ALT+0+0+9 and voilą... no more tabbing problem. It would be interesting to see if this works for anyone else.
      My Computer


 
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:37.
Find Us