Windows 7: Weird Clipboard Problem

One of my users has a very strange issue. It's with a Windows 7 Pro SP1 system. Whenever she tries to copy text from one program to another, it pastes old data that she copied a week ago. This happens across the board, in Office 2007 apps, built-in apps, like Notepad, etc.

I sat at her desk to try it out for myself. I copied a few lines of text form a basic Word doc. I went into an Outlook e-mail and tried to paste...and saw the old data appear. If I go to Paste Special and pick Word as the source, it pastes the proper info into the message. So, it seems like the Clipboard is retaining this old data, and won't take in the new data we try to copy. The computer has been shut down and rebooted several times, and even powered off several times. It's malware free, and she has local admin rights.

Any suggestions?

That is odd, as if clipboard if full and refuse new data. You might try running CCleaner making sure Clipboard is checked.

See if this helps

How to Clear the Clipboard in Windows | eHow

Found references to NetBeans and Open Office.

The NetBeans issues describe switching focus (alt-tab) at least thrice: once away from the window you copied from, then to another window, then to the window you want to paste. Pasting into the 2nd window results in old clipboard data, even after reboot (odd indeed). Pasting into the 3rd window results in correct clipboard data.
So one question is: Does the machine have NetBeans on it?

The Open Office issue was a keyboard shortcut error:

Quote:

Somehow the keystroke ctrl-V had given this special character. Found it while paste from the menu did work. But ctrl-V didn;'t. Removed it from keystrokes under Extra-Append (aanpassen in NL). And it works again as it should.
Stupid me, worked late, must have done something wrong.
Sorry.

I'm not sure how this applies to your situation, but it might point to keyboard in CP -> region & language.

Another question is: Does the machine have any 3rd party clipboard managers on it?
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows...pboardzanager/

Bill

She doesn't have any Clipboard helper apps, or anything called Netbeans. I ran the command to clear the clipboard, and it tentatively seemed to be working for me. I'm having her try it out after she is out of a meeting. I'll post another update after I touch base with her.

I did try it out myself before i Posted the Link .. Seems to work

Thanks Deacon,

The Office Clipboard would be where I focus my attention. I understand that you said this behavoir is also out side of Office apps (notepad).

How do I... Use the Office Clipboard instead of the Windows Clipboard? - TechRepublic

Customizing for easier control
Like so many bells and whistles, the Office Clipboard isn't for everyone. Most of us get by just fine without it. If it gets in your way, change its settings until it's working for you, and not annoying you. With the Office pane open, click the Options button and choose the settings that best suit you. Table A offers a bit of explanation for each setting and a recommendation. (visit original article to see Table A)

Warning!
The Office Clipboard continues to add items only as long as at least one Office application is open. Closing all Office products clears the Office Clipboard of all but the last item you copied. Turning off your computer will completely clear the contents. So, keep that in mind when using the Office Clipboard -- it really isn't a comprehensive solution for multiple copied items outside of Office, even though it stores copied items from non-Office applications.

In addition, the Office Clipboard is unavailable in views where the Copy, Cut, and Paste commands aren't available. Don't worry if items in the Clipboard pane don't look just right. The pane uses Tahoma font, regardless of the item's source formatting. However, Office copies the original formatting and font styles when you paste the item. Don't try to use the Office Clipboard to copy Access forms and reports -- it won't work.

I finally checked back with her, and after a few days, she seems to be back to normal. The script from maxie's link is what I tried, and then I had her reboot. So far so good!

Thanks for all the info. I'm filing this away because I'll probably see this issue again.

Most welcome .. Glad you got it sorted

Interesting, clearing the clipboard... good call maxie.