Keyboard Problems in MCM 2 HEEEEEEELP if you can

[Gnatman]

I keep losing my keyboard in the game........ One minute it's there then the next it's gone. Usually happens after I clibrate my joystick. I can only seem to make a few laps before the stick go's south, I recalibrate go back into the game and the keys no longer work. I went through the knowledgebase at Microsoft found one posting but the fix didnt work. If I uninstall and reinstall the game it works fine for about a minute then goes T.U.
Here is what I'm running:
OS Name   Microsoft Windows XP Professional   
Version   5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600   
OS Manufacturer   Microsoft Corporatio
System Manufacturer   MSI   
System Model   MS-6702   
System Type   X86-based PC   
Processor   x86 Family 15 Model 44 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~1799 Mhz
Total Physical Memory   9,216.00 MB   
Available Physical Memory   1,013.92 MB   
Total Virtual Memory   2.00 GB   
Available Virtual Memory   1.96 GB   
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 256  MB
Creative SB Live! series

If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.......... Would love to get back to racing!!!!

[Fixer]

I never had this problem myself (maybe once or twice) but I can't remember the solution. I think Bruce ( AKA:AMA_DirtTwister) might know the answer. Let's hope he chimes in - be patient though..

I found this by Bruce by searching the forums:
This problem is normally caused by loss of input focus. If you have a windows alert pop up or you alt-tab then it is easy to have MCM 2 not recognize key strokes in the game anymore.  When that happens key strokes like ctrl-esc should still work and sometimes it's possible by clicking on different windows and then clicking back on the MCM 2 taskbar icon, to get the keyboard focus back.

[DirtTwister]

You must have a program running that is stealing the input focus.  Make sure you shut down all unnecessary programs before starting MCM 2.  Once you start MCM 2 you need to stay in it.   If you must alt-tab out make sure you do it from one of the menus and not while in the game.

I'm not aware of any problems that would make the keyboard not work.  My experience has been the you always have the keyboard when you first start MCM 2.

Calibrate your joystick before starting the game, that is most likely how you are losing the focus.

Bruce