I also have lost functionality of the keys "q,w,e,r,u,i,o,p". This had
happened a few weeks ago and I was trying many different key commands, which
apparently worked. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure what I did, but it retured
full function to the keys -until now.
While typing an email, the same keys went dead. I have found that they are
'working' just not as they should.
When I press both shift keys simultainiously and press the affected keys,
the characters from the corosponding keys (on the bottom row)
"z,x,c,v,m,<,>,?" so I conclude the keys are 'functioning, just not properly.
I have n't found any 'custom keys' or key commands that re-set the layout.

I have tried to restore the system, but it doesn't seem to effect these keys.
note: an external keyboard works perfectly.The machine is an Hp Pavilion
N5495 notebook running XP pro.
Anyone have any ideas?

FOUND! After a few hours of sleep and a stiff cup o' coffee, I discovered the
issue regarding the loss of key functions.
"STICKY KEYS" (go figure?) Although I did check this option in the control
panels, I didn't realize that if the options were in effectivley active -but
not selected in the ACCESSABILITY OPTIONS control panel(indicated with
checked box) they would automatically activate (or de-activate the keys) when
two keys are pressed simaltainiously, which happens to me often when typing
rapidly. I don't know why thisfunction would be considered helpful to
anyone, but that's the solution I found today.

p.s. there is no mention of it in the manual anywhere- considered a software
issue I guess. Good luck.

Good luck

"Soberscott" wrote:

> I also have lost functionality of the keys "q,w,e,r,u,i,o,p". This had
> happened a few weeks ago and I was trying many different key commands, which
> apparently worked. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure what I did, but it retured
> full function to the keys -until now.
> While typing an email, the same keys went dead. I have found that they are
> 'working' just not as they should.
> When I press both shift keys simultainiously and press the affected keys,
> the characters from the corosponding keys (on the bottom row)
> "z,x,c,v,m,<,>,?" so I conclude the keys are 'functioning, just not properly.
> I have n't found any 'custom keys' or key commands that re-set the layout.
>
> I have tried to restore the system, but it doesn't seem to effect these keys.
> note: an external keyboard works perfectly.The machine is an Hp Pavilion
> N5495 notebook running XP pro.
> Anyone have any ideas?
>

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 10:05:04 -0700, Soberscott wrote:

> FOUND! After a few hours of sleep and a stiff cup o' coffee, I discovered the
> issue regarding the loss of key functions.
> "STICKY KEYS" (go figure?) Although I did check this option in the control
> panels, I didn't realize that if the options were in effectivley active -but
> not selected in the ACCESSABILITY OPTIONS control panel(indicated with
> checked box) they would automatically activate (or de-activate the keys) when
> two keys are pressed simaltainiously, which happens to me often when typing
> rapidly. I don't know why thisfunction would be considered helpful to
> anyone, but that's the solution I found today.
>
> p.s. there is no mention of it in the manual anywhere- considered a software
> issue I guess. Good luck.
>
> Good luck
>
> "Soberscott" wrote:
>
>> I also have lost functionality of the keys "q,w,e,r,u,i,o,p". This had
>> happened a few weeks ago and I was trying many different key commands, which
>> apparently worked. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure what I did, but it retured
>> full function to the keys -until now.
>> While typing an email, the same keys went dead. I have found that they are
>> 'working' just not as they should.
>> When I press both shift keys simultainiously and press the affected keys,
>> the characters from the corosponding keys (on the bottom row)
>> "z,x,c,v,m,<,>,?" so I conclude the keys are 'functioning, just not properly.
>> I have n't found any 'custom keys' or key commands that re-set the layout.
>>
>> I have tried to restore the system, but it doesn't seem to effect these keys.
>> note: an external keyboard works perfectly.The machine is an Hp Pavilion
>> N5495 notebook running XP pro.
>> Anyone have any ideas?
>>

Sticky keys leave an operative key such as "shift" or "alt" active so that
only one key needs to be pressed at a time. Press shift, press a = an
uppercase A. This sounds very different than what you describe.

Laptops will replace the alpha values for keys on the right side of the
keyboard with numeric values if NumLock is on but that doesn't sound like
your issue either. (Wouldn't hurt to check though.)

Mouse keys in Accessibility Options will utilize the numeric pad as a
mouse. No idea what it does to a laptop keyboard. Is that turned on?

Also may need to check into the settings of the laptop keyboard/touchpad
tool. Maybe something there is causing these unexpected key
values/failures?

To be honest, it sounds like your keyboard is broken or dirty. Dirty or
failing contacts (metal things under each key) can work erratically and/or
with unexpected results. A spill on the keyboard can short the contacts and
cause the same symptoms. A call to HP and/or a visit to someone qualified
to clean/repair a laptop keyboard may be a good plan of action.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User