Alt Key Doesn't Work With Tools

Suddenly the Alt key doesn't work with Clone and other Tools. When it's pressed, it shows a double arrow (black/white)cursor and a selection is not defined.

I did a forum search and found this
------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Q: My Alt key doesn´t work when using the Clone, Lasso, Magnifyer.. Tool.

A:
Some programs and utilities takes control of the Alt key when installed.

GuruNet (Atomica) and FlySwat are two of these applications. Uninstall them and re-claim the Alt-key, and all should be fine.
-----------------------------------------------------------

....but these programs are not on my PC. Plus, the Alt key works fine in other programs. I'm using CS.

I'm desperate to fix this. Any help is greatly appreciated.

- CJ

Followup: I just discovered that the left Alt key works ok. Only the right one, which I normally use, behaves as described. Anyone know what's causing this? Thanks very much.

- CJ

Crumbs in the board? Turn upside down and whack repeatedly against desk, then try again.

Keyboard mapping changed in Regional Options?

Dear Awe,

Crumbs in the board?

Thank you!!! My first thought on reading your msg was "You gotta be kidding". Then, "well, why not". So I did it and it worked. Amazing. Learn something new every day. In 18+ years of computer use I never had this problem (I've had lots of dirty keyboards, but never this problem). Must have been a big crumb. The only mystery though is why the key worked ok in another program. Anyway, a thousand thanks.

John, thank you for your reply too. I looked in the Regional Settings but couldn't find anything re keyboard mapping. I'm using XP.

Best Regards,
CJ

Just in case you wondered, in Regional Options you can change the mapping to suit different countries. Each has its own keyboard layout.

It was only an outside chance; glad you got the keyboard de-crumbed! :)

In 18+ years of computer use

:o that's a lot of crumbs!

I do not eat in my computer room, but I worked in a place where the GD was also the quasi-lunch room.

oh, i did my time in tech support in a big corporation. you'd run from some of the stuff i've found in keyboards! :)

Hey! That was my keyboard, but they kept hauling me back and shortening the chain.

Thanks for all the fun replies. For the record, I have had more than one keyboard in 18 years. :)

But I did get nice collection of "stuff" when I applied Awe's fix. I tend to munch on pretzels in the wee hours while programming. Would be scary to see 18 year's worth. :)

Thanks again everyone.

CJ