Ghost function keys appearing on screen randomly

[briteyes]

Hi a friend is using Windows Vista Home Edition. Randomly he has the top line of a qwerty keyboard appearing on his screen. That is just the escape key plus the function keys 1-8.
It is NOT the keyboard accessed through start, all programs,Accessories, accessibility. He can do this ok but this ghost keyboard does not allow him to actually use it at all. If anyone has heard of this he would appreciate some help in getting rid of same.
Many thanks

 

[linney]

What type of machine model is it? I can't say that I have heard of anything similar to this. What would the point be for it, if as you say, the Keys provide no functionality?

How random is this fault, will troubleshooting like these following be possible?

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929135

950093 How to use the System Configuration utility to troubleshoot configuration errors in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;950093

I see lots of recommendations here for programs like these in case it is malware related.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SuperAntispyware

http://superantispyware.com/

Is it something as daft as a reflection of the Keyboard in the screen, probably not, but this is quite a strange fault you mention.

Are there any special accessibly options applicable to that type of make and model machine that are not part of Windows?

 

[flyboytim]

Is this the "ease of access center" on-screen keyboard?

Alt K is the toggle, then Alt S sets it to come on automatically.

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/osk.aspx

Sadly, I don't have it installed - so I am not sure how to disable it!

I guess you do it from the ease of access settings in Control Panel.

http://www.fxxxingcomputers.co.uk

 

[briteyes]

Sorry the model of laptop is a Toshiba Sattelite. I will check their shortcut keys.And thanks for the quick replies. Have forwarded them on to concerned party. Also told him how to join Tek-tips