PIF Editor Reserve Shortcut Keys Settings May Be Ineffective

 Last reviewed: October 12, 1995
Article ID: Q135548
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.51

SYMPTOMS

The Reserve Shortcut Keys options in the Advanced section of the PIF Editor are ineffective for ALT+TAB, ALT+ESC, and CTRL+ESC, if the PIF also specifies Full Screen Display Usage.

If an MS-DOS-based application is started in full screen mode using such a PIF, and the first keyboard input is one of the above combinations, a switch back to graphics mode is made, and the MS-DOS-based application appears as a minimized window, even if these shortcut key combinations have been reserved. If the MS-DOS-based application is subsequently restored to full screen mode, these shortcut keys are reserved as expected.

CAUSE

NTVDM sets the reserved keys after switching to full screen mode, rather than before switching to full screen mode.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, install the latest U.S. Service Pack for Windows NT version 3.51.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for Windows NT version 3.51. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces): 

   S E R V P A C K

KBCategory: kbnetwork kbbug3.51 kbfix3.51.sp2
KBSubcategory: ntdosap
Additional reference words: 3.51 prodnt pifedit

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Last reviewed: October 12, 1995
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