Delete function in WinXp is gone

[mysts]

Suddenly I cannot delete files or folders using the normal delete like File>delete, right click>delete, or the keyboard delete key. I can delete if I use the shift key with delete but this bypasses the recycle bin which in my case is scary. How do I get the delete function back.

[mujahid7ia]

What happens when you just hit delete? Does the Delete key itself work?

[mysts]

If I am in explorer and hit just delete, the explorer window disappears. I then have to bring that explorer window back up and then hit the delete/shift combination. If I'm in another program and need to delete something I have to move it to an empty folder and then delete that folder with the delete/shift combination. Hope this helps.

[IAIHMB]

Have you recently fiddled with startup processes? When I had a Sony keyboard the delete key was part of the "Hot Keys" and when I disabled them I couldn't use a majority of my keyboard.

Edit: replace Sony with Microsoft. 8)