PC RUNS LIKE Ctrl KEY IS PRESSED

I’m using Windows Home Premium, Comodo Internet Security Pro 2012 and Malwarebytes Pro. I also have MS Office 2010 and Outlook for my email client.

After my PC sits idle for around 20 minutes, it behaves as if the Ctrl key is pressed. I uninstalled my Logitech software and use a plug-in keyboard and mouse and still have the same results. I also have a laptop on a Linksys router that works fine hard wired or wireless…so the router isn’t infected and it is fairly new…E2500.

I cleaned some viruses with Comodo trial (I had ESET) and Malwarebytes. The problem still exists so I had my local PC shop check it with their anti-virus software and they said they found a rootkit virus that kept rebooting.

Sure enough when I got it home the problem popped up again and I’ve done numerous AV scans with no infected files. I posted this on the “Intensive Care” forum, ran and posted all the scans and they could see no malicious files. They suggested I post it on the Windows 7 forum.

From Google searches this isn’t an uncommon problem. One thing I did notice it that Outlook will default to Calibri for Arial after the PC is idle. That’s when I usually have to reboot. Also, Word wants to open in safe mode this problem starts.

I know it’s not a hardware problem and can only think maybe I still have a virus. I have cleaned temporary internet file, held down both Ctrl keys which other forums suggested.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Mike

Quote:

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it behaves as if the Ctrl key is pressed

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What is this like? What does the pc do/don't do that makes you think the CTRL key is pressed?

The mouse scroll wheel zooms in or out on web sites. When you left click on an icon or email it's like the Ctrl key is pressed and they are get selected. When I try to type a box opens up. Also, WORD asks to be open in safe mode. Also, at times the Windows screen saver will not launch. I can't do anything until I reboot.

I ran 2 full scans Sunday and no infected files. I just played COD MOH3 with a Razer mouse and plug-in keyboard...no problems. I did notice my Num Lock key was pressed.

The mouse is scrolling fine...for now. Getting late in CA.

Thanks,
Mike

mike2rc--Try a System Restore to a time before the problem started.
And if that does not help run Repair Install.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...r-install.html

However a RootKit virus may still be present. I am surprised Intensive Care was not able to take of it. They usually advise tools like the following.
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products...i-rootkit.aspx

http://www.gmer.net/

http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208283363

Did you run some or all of these?

I ran the sophos.com and gmer.net and posted my logs. No malicious files were found. I'll try the others listed.

This has been going on for about 4 weeks. If were to restore back 2 months would I loose anything like photos, changes to my Outlook calendar, etc? I do know in mid July everything was fine.

Mike

mike2rc--System Restore should not affect photos.
See here
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...System-Restore

It is always best to back up things you would not want to lose.

Kapersky did find and quarintine one malicious file. Does that free version show a quanintine area? I did check COMODO and I did find one file quarantined...possibly COMODO did that on it's own. I deleted that file.

So far my PC is running fine but will try a restore if the problem pops up today.

I have noticed my PC will not go into sleep mode. After it sits for a while, the problem still continues. Everything I click on highlights and the keyboard no longer functions....a strange box opens.

I'll try a restore way back as I may be looking at a clean format. Too bad Windows 8 isn't out know.

I just tried to put my PC into sleep mode right after boot up. It tried but I could here it reboot from sleep mode. It will not go into sleep mode.

Then the "Ctrl key" issue started right up. Sleep mode used to work fine. Also, why don't I see a hybernate mode with Windows 7 Home Premium? My laptop has it with windows 7 professional.

How to Enable or Disable Hibernate in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...e-disable.html


You just may in fact end up doing a clean install.

Thanks. I have the power setting to sleep set for 4 hours. Yet when I manually set it to sleep as I used to, I can here it go and come out of sleep mode. Then it acts like the Ctrl key is pressed.

I think if I set it to "never" go to sleep, it will funtion fine. I'll try a system restore back to early July...it might just work.

mike2rc--Don't forget the option of Repair install as mentioned in Post #4.

I'll give that a try. I did install the latest driver for most current driver for my GTX 550Ti last night and though that worked. Not so this morning. Every icon I clicked on the disktop highlighted so I had to reboot.

Since I'm going to try a Windows Repair Install, should I go ahead and try a quick system restore 1st back to July when my PC didn't have this glitch? It looks like I'll lose some settings, Windows updates, etc. either way.

Thanks,
Mike

I would try the system restore 1st back to July to see if that fixed things first.

I'm going to format and reinstall Windows Home Premium. It's been a few years since I've done a format/install. Most of the step by step info I Googled were loaded with ads for fix-it tool. I did find this site: http://www.windows7ultimate.windowsr...exfullpage.htm which seems fairly staight forward. I also watched a few You Tube tutorials.

If there is any other very good sites (or You Tube) with step by, I'd appreciate it. I also have back up my Outlook contacts.

I've backed up everything to my external.
Mike

Now that is a right nice tutorial!

mike2rc--Not sure why you decided against System Restore or Repair Install. But whatever you do, make a backup of your personal data first.

Clean Install
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ndows-7-a.html

I haven't formated yet and may try a repair install first to learn how. My system restore only went back to points after the PC problems. I read on MS that older restore points get deleted each time a new one is created. August was the furthest back I could go.

Mike

I stayed with my Razer mouse and plug-in keyboard and my PC actually went into sleep mode today, stated when I got home and the only problem is my Outlook font defaulted back to Calibri. I set Outlook back to Arial and will see what happens. Knock wood...everything is OK for now.

mike2rc--What did you do to achieve these good results?

Two days ago I did uninstalled the Logitech Combo MK700 drivers and currently my wireless adapter is unplugged from my PC. I did plug it back in and let Windows run the Logitech hardware and did have problems.

Also, on 8/30 I ran a Malwarebytes Pro quick scan which showed nothing malicious. This week I did update my GTX 550Ti to the most current driver...however I do recall some problems after that update. The graphics do look as good as can be for streaming videos and COD MW3!

Currently, I'm still using a basic plug-in Lenovo keyboard and my Razer mouse which I prefer over the Logitech mouse. I'm going to try a new MS Wireless or Razer keyboard as the wires don't bother me.

Maybe this is nothing, but I uninstalled the ASK toolbar I never used and another program that I couldn't find under "All Programs". In COMODO AntiError there were a few add-ons I did disable to speed things up.

My PC has been idle for a few hours and everything is fine...hope it stays this way. I'll keep using this Razer mouse and order a new keyboard. That Logitech MK700 Combo was used for gaming so it was well used!

Mike

mike2rc--Thanks for the info. Uninstalling Ask.com toolbar was probably a good move.