unsure source of problem

[tinemarie15]

I have an HP Pavilion laptop with a Windows XP operating system.
Sometimes while I am typing, something I do triggers my computer to type all in caps. I cannot get the caps off. When this happens, if I clink on a link online, it always opens a new window, instead of going directly to the new page. So I end up with about 20 windows open, and only able to type in caps. I cannot reboot either. I can only totally shut down. When I do, I get a quick flash that says "hpqimzone (something) is not responding". It happens so fast I cannot read it all.
How do I stop this? it s really irritating, and stops my work often.

Thank you!

[Miz]

There is a Caps Lock key on the left-hand side of the keyboard, usually next to the A key. When it's on, there should be a green light on the top right-hand side of the keyboard.

Does the Caps Lock key not turn off when you press it?

[tinemarie15]

lol! I am not great at computers, but I do know enough to check the CAPS key! No, the light does not come on when this problem occurs. I can turn the CAPS key on in order to use lowercase letters (when this problem happens); however, once this problem occurs nothing I do will allow me to use numbers, or anything on the lower half of a key (period, comma, semi-colon, etc..).

[rockboy]

It sounds like a Shift key is sticking. It could be a keyboard problem but maybe you're accidentally initiating the "Sticky Keys" function.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/tips/le1.mspx