Certain keys result in strange results

I had a keyboard like this once with a Gateway I had (the only computer I ever purchased that wasn't a Dell).   The keyboard was programmable and if you hit the program key and then just typed, you ended up with a jumble of keys none of which did what they were supposed to do.  This happeed to me several times and was very disconcerting until I figured out the problem and fixed it.  The solution was to reset the keyboard (using a special keyboard combination command) to its default (a normal keyboard) and the problem was resolved.

Another possibility is that you have the wrong drivers for your keyboard (though to be honest I've never heard of such a problem occurring merely due to drivers but I suppose it is possible).  You could go to your computer manufacturer or keyboard manufacturer's web site and find the most recent Vista drivers for your model of keyboard and update them to see if that resolves the problem.  If you need to get drivers, do so from the computer vendor or device manufacturer (NOT from Microsoft Updates).  In fact, you should turn off automatic driver updates from Windows Update as follows: http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/. Proceed as follows to get the drivers: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm.  Once you have the drivers, you can install them through Device Manager as follows: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html.  Some drivers are installed with executable files rather than through Device Manager - you can tell the difference by looking at the file type that downloaded (if it's an .exe file then you just execute the program (right click on the icon and click run as administrator)) and if it is some other type of file that perhaps you don't recognize, then it may be the driver itself and installed throguh Device Manager (you can always try and if it isn't it just won't work).

Do you know when this problem began?  Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began.  Here's the procedure: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-system-restore/.  Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points.  If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two.  NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates.  Use the recovery disk if the system prompt at F8 doesn’t work.  You can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD.

If none of these solutions work, then as Malke says, we'll need more information about your system (name and make and model) and keyboard (name, make and model) and OS and installed programs before we can give you any further help.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

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Lorien - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+