I just installed TeleScript software on a new computer, and some keyboard shortcuts that I'm accustomed to using no longer work.

Shortcuts such as <F5> for Prompter, <F3> for Editor, or <Ctrl + Alt + Right> for Zoom are properly known as Keyboard Accelerators. They are communicated in the .EXE file that also contains the binary code for TeleScript teleprompting software. When you press the keys assigned to an accelerator, Windows places the equivalent menu item into the program's "message queue". Obviously, each program has it's own message queue and is allowed it's own accelerators.

Recently, there has been a trend for overzealous vendors to write "accelerators" into their control programs. These accelerators are inserted into the message queue at such a low level that they prevent applications from receiving the messages. We can only assume this is done by inexperienced programmers or ordered by unscrupulous managers. Whomever is responsible, it is an anti-social programming practice and, as such, it's discouraged by Windows "Best Practices" for creating applications. Ironically, one application that took this approach was Windows Media Player V9.

If you're missing some shortcuts -- we didn't write them out. Check your installed applications, particularly those that self-install and leave icons in your system tray.

To view your startup situation, go to Start/Run and enter msconfig. This will start the Microsoft configuration utility. We suggest you disable any application that is not absolutely needed for teleprompting. If you're not certain, and unsure of what startup application might be usurping the keyboard queue, try disabling one app at a time... you can always reverts to the default state.

Another detective method might be to try some keystrokes and observe what actually DOES respond to the specific keystroke. Check the preferences for the responding application to see how keyboard accelerators can be disabled.

A common culprit on machines that use Intel Graphics is "Intel Hotkeys". Notoriously, Intel Hotkeys is enabled by default and assigns <Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow> to rotate the screen. Fortunately, it's a very simple matter to disable Intel Hotkeys:

• Right Click on the Desktop
• Select "Graphics Options"
• Select "Hotkeys" from the sub-menu
• Select "Disable"