Can't select user with keyboard on login

Question

I know this seems trivial, but these things usually mean a bigger underlaying problem.
When I restart the computer and the login screen appears, I used to be able to type the letter of the user I wanted to login as, then type the password and log in. But lately, I can't select the name by using the keyboard. I have to use the mouse to select the name, then type the password and log in.
Like I said, trivial, but does anyone know what's happening? The entire system has been acting quirky lately and I've rebuilt the permissions about 3 times a week for the past month. Should I zap the PRAM? I've also run Onyx twice in the last week, but it doesn't seem to help (one thing that's happening is that when I go to a web site,the progress bar in Safari seems to move across at a quick clip, but then it hangs for anywhere from 5-20 seconds while it's seemingly loading the graphics...I've reset the cache and cleared the history, but it still happens...I have DSL).
Is this going to require a reloading of the system? Geez, I hope not...
As usual, thanks in advance,
Lloyd

Answer 1

It already has...
This is the third time I've had to use DW, and it's been a godsend each time. The first two times, the HD couldn't be recognized at all. I panicked, researched a little as to whether I should get DW or TechTool, then drove approximately 35 miles to the nearest mall (well, the nearest mall that has any decent stores in it!) and bought DW from Best Buy for $99. I needed it right away because I was in the middle of a project, so I couldn't wait for mail order.
I can't even guess as to how much it saved me in time and money by ressurecting that HD myself. I'm in the process of buying a 500GB internal to replace my Firewire drives, and I thought that I might also need a new one to replace the one with the system on it. But after today, I might just run DW once a month to keep it "clean and smooth."
Again, thanks for your help. It pays to look at the big picture!
Lloyd