On Screen Keyboard Won't Load

Hi, I have windows 7 and when I click on the OnScreen Keyboard in the start menu I get a little blue circle for a second but then nothing else. I know I installed a video 'Windows 7 codec pack' around the time this started, but I don't see how that would 'cause such a specific glitch.

Whenever I google this problem I get results for touch screens, I only mean the normal onscreen keyboard you still need to use a mouse for. Also it doesn't appear in the add remove programs list so I don't know were to find it to try and re-instal it, isn't it part of the OS?

Any ideas on what to do? I there a good alternative I could install? Or way to fix this one?

Thanks Robert.

 

Hey plodr,

I did the test and it didn't work again. but then I checked were you said the program should be listed and it just wasn't there??

 

If you run sfc /scannow it will check system files for any corruptions. Follow the link for Windows 7, make sure you use an elevated (administrator) command prompt.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-sg...l-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system-files

After it has finished 100% but before you close the command prompt window copy and paste the following into that command window:
findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log >"%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt"

press enter and a text file of the results will appear on your desktop.
Restart your system, then look at the file.

 

Have a look in Control Panel > Ease of Access Center. You should be able to start the onscreen keyboard there, but if you can't then look further down at Use the Computer without a Mouse or Keyboard as osk may never have been set up.

 

From the below, that sounds like you were previously using the on screen keyboard so it was set up, but stopped working.

This is a guide to setting it up but if it doesn't work, then the sfc scannow scan is the next step.
http://www.dummies.com/computers/op...ing-the-ease-of-access-features-in-windows-7/

 

Is the osk.exe file in the System32 folder?

 

Ok I did the Sfc scan and it said it didn't find any corrupt files...I have the text file but I don't know what to do with it. And yes Eldon the osk.exe is in the system32 folder.

I went into the ease of access setup and clicked on 'use on screen keyboad' in the recommendations feild but again, nothing showed up.

I did find an alternative, there is a slide in 'tablet pc input panel' thingy that shows up sporadically. I assumed it was the same program but I can use that instead of 'on screen keyboard'.

I can try any other suggestions if there are any.

If this started just as I installed this codec pack, would uninstalling make a difference or should I try a system restore? (that's always a pain 'cause I bookmark so many things and that dissapears)

 

What happens when you double-click the osk.exe file in the System32 folder?

 

Nothing.

 

Please tell us the Brand and exact model number of your system. And what was the name of the codec pack (name of developer) you installed when this problem started. Did you download it from MajorGeeks?
Thanks

 

There's a sticker on the tower that says HP dc7800, is that it? I have no idea how old it is but I bought it refurbished.

I got the codec pack at

http://www.windows7codecs.com

And no it's not a tablet.

 

Ok that's a HP Compaq Desktop.
https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-compaq-dc7800-small-form-factor-pc/3459241/drivers

Have you tried doing a full clean uninstall of that Codec pack, restarting your system, and seeing if the OSK will work now?
If not try that.

 

Ok I uninstalled the codec pack and it worked! My keyboard now comes up, guess I could have tried that first. I just assumed the codecs were 'official' or something from the name of the site. I couldn't imagine such a specific glitch.

Thanks!

 

Good for you.
It's unusual for a codec pack to mess up Windows' On-Screen Keyboard.

If you need a codec pack, try one of these.
http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm
They can also be downloaded from MajorGeeks (recommended).

Or try one of the media players that include all the necessary codecs.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortname/all_in_one_d23f.html

 

Glad that fixed it.
I personally use Shark007's codecs. They work well and my OSK has never stopped working.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_8_codecs.html
They work on Windows 7,8 and 10.