IR Remote Control Problem

[Vortechs]

I have an infra-red remote control that I've been using for a couple of years, I only use for system volume and play, pause & stop on VLC player. Looks like this: http://wiki.xbmc.org/images/1/1d/Hama_mce_remote.jpg
It stopped working for the volume and play, pause & stop functions but still works for all the mouse functions, and the IR receiver still flashes when you press any button on it. I've spent the last 2 days trying to figure out why it wont work anymore and I'm stumped. The remote works fine on my xp laptop so there's nothing wrong with the remote or IR receiver itself.
I've tried un-installing it and re-installing it, even tried system restore to before it stopped working, still refuses to work
Anyone got any ideas?

Edit: Apparently this type of remote works by simulating key strokes. ShowKey.exe doesn't see any keystrokes coming from the remote on my windows 7 machine, is something blocking them?

 

[Vortechs]

Hi Guys, Thanks for all the help...

I've got the solution. Go to TASK MANAGER > SERVICES (TAB) and click the SERVICES button.
Sort the services by name and find "Human Interface Device Access"
It is likely to have the start up type as "Manual"
and not started.
First test.
Right click the service and select START
Now test the remote.
If it works...hooray. Now set the service start up as Automatic. Do this by double clicking the service and choosing the option from the drop down.

 

[Tyzing]

Thank you! That's exactly what the problem was for me! I tried everything but not that.

 

[TigerNightmare]

I've also had this problem and I've spent several hours last night and this morning trying to fix it. Nothing I found here and on other sites helped but I've discovered the solution and now I feel so stupid. I feel like everyone else is stupid for not posting it anywhere.

It was the batteries. I know, right? The thing is, the red LED on the IR receiver would blink whenever I pressed a button on the remote, so I knew it was getting a signal and the remote was working, the computer just wasn't responding. I messed with registry settings, disabled/enabled Windows services, reinstalled drivers, rebooted, unplugged, plugged into a different USB port, you know, all that stuff everyone tells you.

Then I noticed that the green LED on the remote was NOT blinking with button pushes. The receiver blinks, the remote doesn't. This tells me that there's enough juice for A signal to send, but not enough for it to work properly. So try the batteries before you go messing with anything else. It'll save you time.