"Nepatsfan" <nepatsfan@SBXXXIX.com> wrote in message
news:uViYrqJ#IHA.4320@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> "Smirnoff" <someone@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
> news:PsmdneU7aPFTSAfVnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@bt.com...
>>A friend of mine had the classic problem of his screen rotating 90
>>degrees. I explained that he needed to hit Ctrl+Alt+Up Arrow.
>>
>> I went to show him on my machine - and nothing happened!
>>
>> Checked Graphic Properties and Rotation is enabled. Also, the Hot
>> Keys are enabled as well.
>>
>> Not that I want the irritation of having the screen rotate, in fact I
>> never use rotation but I am intrigued as to why it doesn't work.
>>
>> It works if I select it in Graphic Properties>Rotation.
>>
>> My Ctrl+Alt keys work OK as I often call up Task Manager.
>>
>
>
> Check Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete). Is hkcmd running? If not,
> the Hot Keys won't work. Check msconfig and see if hkcmd is listed on
> the Startup tab. If not, reinstall the latest drivers for your display
> adapter. That should restore your ability to use the Hot Keys.
>
> Good luck
>
> Nepatsfan
>

hkcmd is not running in Task Manager. Did some searching and found:

http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/pr...hkcmd.exe.html

It appears that it can be used as a shield by some viruses, it crashes
when SP2 is installed (I have SP3). Some say that it uses 100% CPU (but
I suspect that this is caused by a virus).

At the moment I have it enabled on my graphics control panel but
obviously something is blocking it from running. I will now disable it.

It may even be that I deleted it if my Anti-Virus programs flagged it as
a false positive.

Had a quick look in Services and Applications and can't see any
reference to it (i.e. to start/stop/automatic).

As I CAN rotate the screen if necessary by using the graphics control
panel, I think I'll leave well alone.

Thanks for your help.