Ctrl-F3 in OE stopped working

jwgmg · Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 8

The shortcut key in OE 6 to view message source (Ctrl-F3) stopped working. This has happened before, but a reboot solved the problem. This time however, no go. I tried following Microsoft's repair instructions, but no results there either. Using XPHome/sp3 and IE7.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1134 Location: Central FL, USA

Ctrl + F3 = message source.

I've been looking at that same info for years and have never used that key combination. I'm NOT a keyboard person. Rolling Eyes

I use a mouse whenever possible because it's always in my right hand anyway. Having to lay it aside and go to the keyboard is completely redundant to me.

IE7? Not here! When I.E.7 installed itself on my PC without my permission, it screwed up O.E.6 so bad I couldn't even use my email program. Several of my customers had similar problems with I.E.7.
Uninstalling it removed the source of the problems, but I still had to go into O.E.6 and make repairs to what I.E.7 had screwed up.

With about two or three clicks of my mouse I can see the same information, without using the keyboard at all.

I just tried the key combo and found it works....IF you have selected/highlighted an email first.
Yes, I use Outlook Express, exclusively.

Good Luck,
Doc Cool

jwgmg · Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 8

I had absolutely no problem with OE 6 after upgrading to IE 7. And none of the other problems contained in the horror stories I've read.

Regardless, the problem has been solved. I uninstalled XP sp3 and OE works just fine again.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1134 Location: Central FL, USA

I've probably said it a thousand times, at least, that no two computers are exactly alike.

I know that I.E.7 did not screw up every PC on which it was installed.

You said you had problems with SP3, but I've never had any problem with it on all the dozen or more PC's that I've installed it on.
I've even called it a "NON EVENT".

But then, I go thru extensive preparations before ever installing any Service Pack. I do a thorough cleaning of the HD, run Chkdsk /r and even do a Defrag, and shut down ALL running programs before installing anything as extensive as a Service Pack.
An ounce of prevention...etc. etc. etc.

But anyway, I'm glad you got your problem fixed and that you came back to let us know how you did it.

Thank You, and Congratulations!

Cheers Mate!
The Doctor Cool

jwgmg · Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 8

I do plan on reinstalling sp3. I'm curious to see if the problem repeats.

jwgmg · Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 8

Bummer! The problem repeated, but without installing SP3. Just all of a sudden, right after receiving another barrage of spam, ctrl F3 stopped working again.

No easy fix this time. Been working on it since early last night. Seems the only solution is to either ditch OE6, or do a complete reinstall of XP.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 808

jwgmg · Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 8

And also the very first thing I did, even before attempting a fix. Virus scan, spyware/adware scan, registry scan, scan scan, you name it.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 808

OK - then the next thing I'd try is a registry FIXER (not a cleaner) - such as in FIX-IT & check for errors. If that doesn't get it I'd consider that IE7 is the culprit. As pointed out already, it is know to cause a lot of headaches. One would think that it would be corrected be now. MAYBE in IE8?

BTW: most of us here use FIREFOX & THUNDERBIRD may want to consider that unless you have a reason that you can't switch.

jwgmg · Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 8

I use Registry Mechanic. And I use Firefox, Opera and Safari. I even use Sea Monkey on occasion.

I've been using IE7 since it came out, and with very few, easily fixed, problems, probably because I built this system myself and personally installed everything that's on it.

Since the majority of users buy a system off the shelf, with software and hardware someone else installed and configured, it's no wonder so many are having major problems.

jwgmg · Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 8

Strange as it may seem, I reinstalled SP3, along with all the latest updates, and VOILA! OE6 is behaving normal again. Go figure.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1134 Location: Central FL, USA

Two items that caught my eye here.....

You said you ran scans.....OK.....but you can scan till you go blind and if you're not using the right programs, you won't get squat!

Computer Security is sort of my specialty and please believe me when I say "there are a lot of so-called Anti-something programs that are about as effective as playing a few hands of Solitaire". But not nearly so much fun. Wink

Windows Defender is an excellent example. Wink

At a very minimum, you should be using AVG 8.0 FREE for Anti-Virus/Trojan protection and some spyware protection and 'Spybot Search & Destroy' for additional Anti-Spyware/Trojan protection and bad website blocking.

It occurs to me too, that nowhere did you ever mention doing a "System Restore" when something got fouled up. M$ gave you that program to be your first line of defense against those little "Ooops" that happen from time to time, when you're messing around with your PC.

When I first upgraded to XP, so many years ago now, I didn't know about the value of "System Restore" and I wound up reloading XP at least six times to fix things that I myself screwed up in Windows.
NO, I didn't stop messing up XP, but I did learn how to use "System Restore" to recover from my own screw-ups.

I've gone to System Restore (START>Programs>Accessories>System Tools\System Restore )
on customers PC's to fix a small problem and I find that the service has been shut off, or there's no restore point for the past two weeks or more.
That's like reaching for a Fire Extinguisher and discovering that it's empty.
Some PC's get regular Restore Points and some don't. I've never taken the time or effort to try to figure out why.

But I FIX it anyway by putting a little script in the Startup Folder to force a new Restore Point every time the PC boots up.
With as many bogus programs that I test, on my own PC, having a restore point not more than a few hours old is very comforting, and useful too!
I have to rely on "System Restore" at least once, every week, to fix one thing or another.

So, that's how I deal with things that happen on my PC that foul something up. Thank You M$!

The Doctor Cool

jwgmg · Joined: Sep 02, 2008 Posts: 8

Is AVG Pro satisfactory? If not, I guess I wasted my money. But what a CPU hog.

I trashed Windows Defender some time ago. It and Windows Live are nothing but CPU hogs that create more problems than they are purported to cure.

And yes, I used restore. But not the Windows version. Registry Mechanic is much more reliable and easier to use.

I suspect the problem with the OE6 ctrlF3 thingy is like the volume control in the task bar. It just comes and goes for no apparent reason. But, at least there is a simple way to get it back when it does go on hiatus. That's what I was looking for with the ctrlF3 problem when I created this post.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 808

Well, you COULD go through all the hoopla of imaging the system (for purposes of backup & restore) & reinstall but if you end up unknowingly reinstalling what is causing the problems then it really won't prove anything. So at this point I'm out of suggestions as it appears that you either already did everything I could ever think of, or it has already been mentioned.

I guess it all depends on how much of a "pain" it is to just live with it for now in the hope that MAYBE the answer will come. Maybe in the form of a fix or you just happening to run across the info. Has happened to me.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1134 Location: Central FL, USA

Since MS gave you a very good and useful Registry Backup program for FREE, it's redundant and maybe even wasteful to buy or acquire a second program, because it claims to do a better job.
And if you trust it over the MS program and it doesn't work, then you've just shot yourself in the foot.
Obviously in this case it's not working at all.

I trust the MS System Restore program and use it at least once a week to recover from some P.O.C. screwing up my Desktop or OS.

AVG Pro? Why? The FREE version uses the same scan engine and the same malware data files.
However it does use a different Update Server, plus a backup server, that work even when the FREE server is down.

The added features in the PRO version are redundant to 99.9% of computer users. (like, getting an update every four hours)
It may have some advantages on a busy Network Server or on a business PC where critical data is kept.
But for a single unit home system, YES, it's a waste of money.

And YES, I'm running XP with AVG Pro, because I need to know how it works so I can answer any questions that come up about it.

One huge advantage to using Spybot S&D in conjunction with AVG is that Spybot can Immunize your I.E. or F.F. browser against going to, or being redirected to thousands of BAD websites.

The setup for Spybot, to run properly and be most effective is very specific. I long ago worked out my own setup for Spybot and then put my own Setup procedures for Spybot
Here!

Spybot S&D can be updated every week, on Wednesday or later.
If you do get an update, don't forget to "Immunize" and then run a scan.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor Cool