SHIFT button keeps getting stuck

During gameplay, at random times, CoX will think that the SHIFT button is held down on my keyboard. So if I try to use any of the number keys at the top of the keyboard to access the powers in the bottom tray it doesn't respond, or it thinks that I'm trying to select a teammate.

If I tap the SHIFT key then the keyboard returns to normal.

This issue didn't happen with my old Vista computer, which used the same PS/2 keyboard. This issue didn't start until I started playing CoX in Windows 7.

Any ideas?

I've had something similar with the ALT key, but it's been over several systems, running both XP and Win7. Still happens, often just by zoning (when I'm definitely not holding down an "Alt" key.)

Doesn't help when you go to attack and turn off your armor at the enemy.

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I have the same problem with my left Alt key. Seems to be the only one. If I press it, it seems to fix itself...

Running Win7 64 Home Prem.

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I should have mentioned that my keyboard is a USB, as well.

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It happens to me when I alt tab out of the game while it loads up. Are you doing that?

I run in windowed mode, and if I'm doing something else while the game is loading, I generally click on the window in my task bar. I will Alt+Tab while in game, though. Hmm... I'll have to try to remember what I did the next time it happens...

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This happens to me, but to be honest I figured it was due to a dirty keyboard.

Mainly because, in the past, whenever I take my keyboards apart and clean them, the issue goes away.

I never had it happen until I got this new computer, and new keyboard. Started happening almost immediatly.

Hasn't happened in awhile, though...

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Those of you having this problem: you might want to go into Windows' Control Panel and check the settings in "Accessibility Options". (In Windows XP, it's "in Start/Settings/Control Panel", I'm not sure about Vista or Windows 7.)

Then, make sure "StickeyKeys" is UNchecked!

StickeyKeys will cause any of the "Shift"-type keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt, maybe Windows and Context ones too) to toggle into an "on" state if you press and hold them down long enough. I can't remember whether StickeyKeys defaults to enabled or not... IIRC, in a pristine XP install, XP will offer to turn it on for you the first time you try holding any such key down for more than about ten seconds. But whether you've been prompted or not, it might have gotten set to enabled/checked anyway.

As far as CoH goes, it could be that something in the game code fools Windows into thinking the SHIFT or ALT keys were being held down, triggering the StickeyKeys functionality. If this is indeed the case, disabling StickyKeys entirely ought to fix the problem.

On the other hand, it could certainly be due to some other cause, like a keyboard or driver bug, or a bug in the game itself.

I'll be curious to see if the above advice works for you guys. Post your results!

Has happened to me for a while now. Alt tabbing will make CoH forget which key is down, and tapping the key will refresh the state. Never has gotten stuck while the game is in the foreground only.

It gets stuck more frequently during zoning, but it can happen any time. The keys that get stuck for me most often are control and alt and the right mouse button. Sometimes shift as well.

What annoys me is when my character goes running off for no apparent reason, and wont stop no matter what button(s) I bang on. Typically only occurs when there are mobs about. -.-

OK I swapped out my PS/2 keyboard with one that has a dedicated USB connection, and none of the issues that I had with the PS/2 keyboard are present.

So it looks like Windows 7 really doesn't like PS/2 keyboards.

I haven't tried it with a PS/2-to-USB cable yet, but I know that straight-thru USB works for me.

I have this happen as well. I tend to think it's something within openGL. From what I can tell other openGL games will sometimes do this as well (Neverwinter Nights, the older Unreal games, Serious Sam, Second Life). For me it's most commonly the left mouse button even on brand new mice, though sometimes shift does it as well.

It can happen when I tab out, or sometimes just during a loading screen, but it seems to be most common when the game is running in a window and not full screen. I can confirm that it's been happening with me all the way through XP, Vista, and 7, so I'm not sure it's specific to an OS. And I've gone through several different keyboards and mice, both USB and PS/2, and both types have had this happen on and off.

I've never been able to fix it, but the common thread (at least with me) seems to be with openGL games. Particularly when they're at high cycles, like when the graphics are turned up. I tend to crank my graphics up as much as possible (hence the other thread involving my graphics options crashing), and the higher I go, the more likely this seems to become.

Of course it could still be a dirty keyboard! :P