Filter keys

Wig

At work on WIN XP
I sometimes keep the shift key pressed for 8 seconds and then the computer beeps and says
"filter keys enabled"
-yes- -cancel- -and a third option which i can't remember-

Whatever I press, the computer then goes haywire, I can't type numbers 1234 etc I cant use the shift key function.
If I press 1 2 3 4 with or without the shift key I just get ! @ # $ respectively. And the mouse goes mad sometimes "selecting" all the text automatically.

I can do nothing I have to re-boot.

I just read on wiki that filter keys can be disabled in control panel but I'm sure my network rights will not allow access to turn it off.

Once the computer goes haywire, if I press and hold the shift key again those options come up again, but again selecting any of them does not change things.

There's more than one computer at work and this happens on all of them.

What is filter keys?
What is supposed to happen when you press and hold shift for 8 seconds?
When you get that pop up - what are the three options supposed to do?

Any ideas to avoid a re-boot - which do not include "don't press and hold the shift key for 8 seconds!" because it's something that I don't realise I'm doing...until the computer bleeps.

closed

just click no or use left shift instead

Wig

clicking 'no' if that's the 3rd option causes the same problem

It affects both shift keys on the keyboard - if that's what you meant.

closed

sure it's not sticky keys (left shift 5 times)

are you actually holding the key, or is this happening on it's own?

laptop or desktop?

do you get an extra icon near the clock

https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/access_filterkeys_settings.mspx?mfr=true

esuhl

You can turn "filter keys" on/off via the Accessibility Options (in the control panel):

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/access_filterkeys_turnon.mspx