Solve : DELETE KEY inopperative?

1.	Solve : DELETE KEY inopperative?
Answer» HELP. Having had big trouble with McAfee I had to have my HD wiped and M 2002 Proffesional SP2 was INSTALLED. For a while all was well then my Delete key would not work, so I have to use the Backspace key. I used to be abale to position the cursor at the beginning of a word/line, then press & holding it would gradually delete the text. I have been instructed to make sure the box is unticked for Word Perfect and Navigation Keys but this has not reloved the problem. Please don't direct me to the registry or into the bios, they are no go areas for a silver surfer I'm afraid. I need simple concise help. daveDWelcome aboard Dave... Have you had a chance to try another keyboard in that machine ? ? Sometimes it's the obvious things...Thank you for replying so soon Patio, I am using a Logitech cordless keyboard which as I say, when using "Microsoft Works" the Delete key works OK so I do not think it is a faulty key/ keyboard, though I am mystified as to what has caused it all of a sudden. Thanx Rupert. What is "M 2002 Proffesional"? You say the Delete key works right in MS Works. Exactly what applications does it not work in?I'm RUNNING Microsoft Windows XP; Professional; Version 2002; SP2. The Delete key will not function when typing in WORD but does in both Works & when typing in the email mode. (EG) Positioning the cursor at the beginning or a word or line and holding the Delete key down should delete as long as held down but it does not therefore deletion is only possible using the Backspace key. RupertBSo, your Delete key works right with all programs except Word, right? That certainly was not clear from your original post. In fact, you never even specifically mentioned Word in your first post. Quote So, your Delete key works right with all programs except Word, right? That certainly was not clear from your original post. In fact, you never even specifically mentioned Word in your first post. OK soybean, sorry if I my initial thread was not explicit enough but now that is somewahat clearer do you have any suggestions as to what the cause might be, and more important, what the remedy is? Cheers Rupert.I suggest you delete your Normal.dot file, as explained here: Fixing your Normal.dot . I can't guarantee that will solve the problem, but it's worth a try. Note: any preferences that you've changed from the original/default Word settings will be lost, along with any customized toolbars, etc. If you're concerned about this, change the name of your Normal.dot file instead of deleting it. Then, when Word creates new one, if that does not solve the problem, you can go back to your previous Normal.dot file by deleting the new one reversing the name change on the old one.Hi soybean, I am most grateful for the time you must have spent responding to this troublesome issue that has come my way. It is obvious that your knowlege of this I.T. stuff far exceeds that under my horizon & things you will undertake without hesitation for me, have a big red Caution sign over them, this one being no exception. If you had been able to assure me that following these instructions would solve my problem I would confidently proceed but if my reply appears to be less than prompt it is because I would like to run it past someone here -maybe the local computer shop owner- before I go about altering settings that are usually out of my reach. With that said however I will certainly post a reply ASAP. Thanks again Rupert.If however this doesn't work and you can't fix the Delete button, for faster erasing of text, hold down control whilst pressing backspace. This deletes a word at a time.Suit yourself but you should realize that your local computer shop may not have a high level of expertise in this particular issue. This is a Word issue. Does the local shop have expertise in Word? Maybe, but I rather doubt it. They are more focused on hardware and operating systems. The procedure regarding the Normal.dot file changes no settings in Windows; it relates only to Word. There are numerous references to the procedure. I already cited one; here's another: Replacing "normal.dot" when MSWord Becomes Unstable As I said, you can rename the file instead of deleting it. This is really a simple concept, a simple task. Just rename the file and let Word create a new one. But, since you seem very uncomfortable with proceeding with it, finding someone who can render direct personal assistance might be best. Hi soybean, I must emphasise that as a Silver Surfer I am most grateful for any assistance that is offered by readers not least your good self. I have copied your replies and will file them in my "Help" folder for future reference. As for the "Delete Key " problem I sent it to a few different forums and a lady from the USA responded with the simple answer to my problem, I paste it below for the benefit of other readers who may just encounter the same hurdle. Of course I give all credit to Suzanne who, like yourself and many others who contribute to these forums, are a lifeline for guys like me who grew up in the days when even a pocket calculator was science fiction. "DELETE KEY" ANSWER Open Tools \| Customize and click on Keyboard... Choose any command at random (the first one will do) and in the "Press new shortcut key" box, press the Delete key. You should then see "Currently assigned to: EditClear." If you don't see that, then select All Commands under categories and scroll down to EditClear. Press the Delete key and click Assign. Suzanne S. Barnhill Microsoft MVP (Word) Words into Type Fairhope, Alabama USA Well, rupertB, you did a good job of researching that. Apparently, the original, default, setting in your Word got lost somehow. By the way, when you were looking at the Customize Keyboard screen, did you NOTICE where the changes made there are saved? In Normal.dot. So, the procedure I suggested would have solved the problem. By deleting or renaming Normal.dot, Word would have created a new Normal.dot the next time it was launched. That new Normal.dot file would have contained the standard default settings and your Delete key function would have been restored. However, I would agree the procedure provided by Suzanne S. Barnhill, Microsoft MVP (Word), is better because it deals directly the specific problem here. Making Word create a new Normal.dot means any preferences or customizations the user had previously saved in Word would be lost; they would have to be recreated by the user. Of course, if no changes had previously been made to the default settings, this would not be an issue.Hello again soybean, thanks again for your help. I have a sneeky feeling I caused the problem myself after reading a tip in a local computer mag. on how to create ones own keyboard shortcuts. Suzanne in fact gave the sequence of moves in her reply that enambles one method of achieving this function. The web site of the UK based mag. is:- Am I right in assuming that this means of creating shortcuts is called making a "Macro"? They certainly [for me] TAKE the tedium out of having to operate the mouse with my right hand. Seeing Iam retired I have plenty of leisure time much of which is spent on my computer (ever seeking to learn something new) which means my right hand is showing signs RSI, hence the quest to learn as many default shortcuts as possible as well as devising as many of my owm as possible. The limitation lies only in the number of key combinations and the memory to recall them. May I take this opportunity to wish you and the other readers who open this thread a very Merry Christmas & a Happy surfing New Year. Rupert B

Answer»

HELP. Having had big trouble with McAfee I had to have my HD wiped and M 2002 Proffesional SP2 was INSTALLED. For a while all was well then my Delete key would not work, so I have to use the Backspace key. I used to be abale to position the cursor at the beginning of a word/line, then press & holding it would gradually delete the text. I have been instructed to make sure the box is unticked for Word Perfect and Navigation Keys but this has not reloved the problem. Please don't direct me to the registry or into the bios, they are no go areas for a silver surfer I'm afraid. I need simple concise help. daveDWelcome aboard Dave...

Have you had a chance to try another keyboard in that machine ? ?
Sometimes it's the obvious things...Thank you for replying so soon Patio, I am using a Logitech cordless keyboard which as I say, when using "Microsoft Works" the Delete key works OK so I do not think it is a faulty key/ keyboard, though I am mystified as to what has caused it all of a sudden. Thanx Rupert.
What is "M 2002 Proffesional"? You say the Delete key works right in MS Works. Exactly what applications does it not work in?I'm RUNNING Microsoft Windows XP; Professional; Version 2002; SP2.
The Delete key will not function when typing in WORD but does in both Works & when typing in the email mode. (EG) Positioning the cursor at the beginning or a word or line and holding the Delete key down should delete as long as held down but it does not therefore deletion is only possible using the Backspace key.
RupertBSo, your Delete key works right with all programs except Word, right? That certainly was not clear from your original post. In fact, you never even specifically mentioned Word in your first post.

Quote

So, your Delete key works right with all programs except Word, right? That certainly was not clear from your original post. In fact, you never even specifically mentioned Word in your first post.

OK soybean, sorry if I my initial thread was not explicit enough but now that is somewahat clearer do you have any suggestions as to what the cause might be, and more important, what the remedy is? Cheers Rupert.I suggest you delete your Normal.dot file, as explained here: Fixing your Normal.dot . I can't guarantee that will solve the problem, but it's worth a try. Note: any preferences that you've changed from the original/default Word settings will be lost, along with any customized toolbars, etc. If you're concerned about this, change the name of your Normal.dot file instead of deleting it. Then, when Word creates new one, if that does not solve the problem, you can go back to your previous Normal.dot file by deleting the new one reversing the name change on the old one.Hi soybean, I am most grateful for the time you must have spent responding to this troublesome issue that has come my way. It is obvious that your knowlege of this I.T. stuff far exceeds that under my horizon & things you will undertake without hesitation for me, have a big red Caution sign over them, this one being no exception. If you had been able to assure me that following these instructions would solve my problem I would confidently proceed but if my reply appears to be less than prompt it is because I would like to run it past someone here -maybe the local computer shop owner- before I go about altering settings that are usually out of my reach. With that said however I will certainly post a reply ASAP.

Thanks again Rupert.If however this doesn't work and you can't fix the Delete button, for faster erasing of text, hold down control whilst pressing backspace. This deletes a word at a time.Suit yourself but you should realize that your local computer shop may not have a high level of expertise in this particular issue. This is a Word issue. Does the local shop have expertise in Word? Maybe, but I rather doubt it. They are more focused on hardware and operating systems.

The procedure regarding the Normal.dot file changes no settings in Windows; it relates only to Word. There are numerous references to the procedure. I already cited one; here's another: Replacing "normal.dot" when MSWord Becomes Unstable

As I said, you can rename the file instead of deleting it. This is really a simple concept, a simple task. Just rename the file and let Word create a new one. But, since you seem very uncomfortable with proceeding with it, finding someone who can render direct personal assistance might be best. Hi soybean, I must emphasise that as a Silver Surfer I am most grateful for any assistance that is offered by readers not least your good self. I have copied your replies and will file them in my "Help" folder for future reference. As for the "Delete Key " problem I sent it to a few different forums and a lady from the USA responded with the simple answer to my problem, I paste it below for the benefit of other readers who may just encounter the same hurdle. Of course I give all credit to Suzanne who, like yourself and many others who contribute to these forums, are a lifeline for guys like me who grew up in the days when even a pocket calculator was science fiction.
   "DELETE KEY"
   ANSWER
Open Tools | Customize and click on Keyboard... Choose any command at random
(the first one will do) and in the "Press new shortcut key" box, press the
Delete key. You should then see "Currently assigned to: EditClear." If you
*don't* see that, then select All Commands under categories and scroll down
to EditClear. Press the Delete key and click Assign.

Suzanne S. Barnhill Microsoft MVP (Word) Words into Type Fairhope, Alabama USA
Well, rupertB, you did a good job of researching that. Apparently, the original, default, setting in your Word got lost somehow.

By the way, when you were looking at the Customize Keyboard screen, did you NOTICE where the changes made there are saved? In Normal.dot. So, the procedure I suggested would have solved the problem. By deleting or renaming Normal.dot, Word would have created a new Normal.dot the next time it was launched. That new Normal.dot file would have contained the standard default settings and your Delete key function would have been restored.

However, I would agree the procedure provided by Suzanne S. Barnhill, Microsoft MVP (Word), is better because it deals directly the specific problem here. Making Word create a new Normal.dot means any preferences or customizations the user had previously saved in Word would be lost; they would have to be recreated by the user. Of course, if no changes had previously been made to the default settings, this would not be an issue.Hello again soybean, thanks again for your help. I have a sneeky feeling I caused the problem myself after reading a tip in a local computer mag. on how to create ones own keyboard shortcuts. Suzanne in fact gave the sequence of moves in her reply that enambles one method of achieving this function. The web site of the UK based mag. is:-

Am I right in assuming that this means of creating shortcuts is called making a "Macro"? They certainly [for me] TAKE the tedium out of having to operate the mouse with my right hand. Seeing Iam retired I have plenty of leisure time much of which is spent on my computer (ever seeking to learn something new) which means my right hand is showing signs RSI, hence the quest to learn as many default shortcuts as possible as well as devising as many of my owm as possible. The limitation lies only in the number of key combinations and the memory to recall them.
May I take this opportunity to wish you and the other readers who open this thread a very Merry Christmas & a Happy surfing New Year.

Rupert B

Solve : DELETE KEY inopperative?

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