Keyboard Functions and weird Browser problem...

I messed up my keyboard shortcuts, and have a weird browser problem.

When I'm in a form box, like entering my user name in the hotmail log in page, when I try to TAB into the password box, the browser jumps to the next browser on the task bar instead of tabbing into the password box.

This started happening at about the same time as the weird browser problem. When I'm at Google's Main Page, I enter keywords into the main text entry box and click "Google Search" - absolutely NOTHING happens. It's like a dead button. At the same time, the "X" does not close the browser - another dead function, but the minimize works... I have to use Control/Alt/Delete to close the window.

Occasionally, after a restart I can get the Google Search button to work, but after once or twice it's back to being dead...

I scanned for viruses and found a fairly harmless JS_NOCLOSE.E (from Kaaza popups) which I sucessfully cleaned, that's all.

I also just noticed that when I highlight my typed text in a box, it will not delete, I have to place the cursor at the end and use backspace.

Also, With text hightlghted from another page that I want to put in the Google Keyword box, CONTROL V won't work, but right-clicking and selecting paste does put the text there, but clicking "Google Search" still does nothing.

It's as if I did something to make the text I enter and certain buttons "invisible"...

Any idea what I could have done to make these things happen, and any idea how I can reset things back to the defaults?

Thanks...

Whoops. the computer info below (sig file) is wrong. I'm at work - it's WinME and an HP Pavillion 6736, 667Mhz and 64 *choke* MB Ram...

Hi Cindy,
My first question is do have problems with the keyboard in any other applications or is this strictly confined to Ineternet Explorer?
If you are having problems in other applications, forgive me if this sounds absurd but turn your keyboard over and tilt from one end at least 6 inches. Now SPANK your keyboard from end to end as forcefully as you dare. Now tilt from the other end and do the same. No doubt you will find all sorts of S#!T knocked out from within. Sound like your "ALT" or "CTRL" key maybe sticking peiodically.
If your troubles are only within Internet Explorer and you are using Internet Explorer 5.5 at minimum (to check click Help --> About internet Explorer version is first type written line) Go to Start --> Add\Remove Programs --> Internet Explorer and internet tools --> click remove you will be given three options --> choose repair. Let your computer do the work i.e. repair, reboot, repair some more then test. If it persists download the Servce Pack for your version of Internet Explorer, if you have IE 5.5 and Service Pack 1 installed upgrade to 6.0. If you use Compuserve or AOL contact their, dare I say it?, technical support for instuctions on how to upgrade IE while having their software installed. Many people go directly to Microsoft and and do the upgrade with one of these two major virusses on their system and get completely hosed. It is because of this both AOL and Compuserve have a work around for this. Best of luck!