SMS: Quick Viewer Hotkey Causes Keyboard Problems on Client

• Microsoft Systems Management Server, version 1.2

SYMPTOMS

If the hotkey sequence 'Left SHIFT+ESC' is used to quit the Quick Windows Viewer when you remotely control a client computer running Windows NT, the client computer will act as if the SHIFT key is depressed. The following types of symptoms may be seen on the client:

• Typing at a command prompt displays uppercase letters.
• Clicking on desktop icons on a client computer running Windows NT 4.0 causes multiple icons to be highlighted.
• The Exit command on an application's File menu does not function.
• The Logoff command on Program Manager's File menu does not function.
• Pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL does not bring up the Windows NT Security dialog box.

CAUSE

Although the key sequence Left SHIFT+ESC was only meant for the Quick Windows Viewer on the Administrator computer, it is also put into the keyboard buffer on the client computer running Windows NT. This causes the symptoms listed above.

WORKAROUND

Do not use the 'Left SHIFT+ESC' hotkey sequence; instead, use the Close command on the Control menu of the Quick Windows Viewer to quit the Viewer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server version 1.2. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.