A Most Peculiar Thing....

[Jackdaw33]

...for some reason certain keys on my keyboard have ceased to function. They are all in a block of three right down the keyboard. I can't think of any reason, I haven't spilt anything on it. Fortunately I can access the missing characters via the alt key but it is a nuisance trying to remember the codes, which is why it has taken me ten minutes to type this

[Jackdaw33]

....should have said using Windows 10

[pinkyboyid]

What is your Windows version?

[Jackdaw33]

As above. I have to say I have had nothing but bother since I installed the wretched thing.

[pinkyboyid]

Just seen your reply re Win 10!

For Windows 10, if you click 'Windows Start'>'Power' it should display shutdown options, including 'Restart' .

If you press and continually keep holding / pressing down the shift key and then click the 'Restart' option, Windows should reboot into a 'Troubleshoot' screen (make sure you keep the shift key pressed whilst it restarts).

Does the 'Troubleshoot' screen appear?

[Jackdaw33]

That might be it. Should I keep the shift key depressed throughout the entire procedure?

[pinkyboyid]

Yes, keep it pressed throughout until the 'Troubleshoot' screen appears.

[Jackdaw33]

Still no joy. I get the troubleshoot screen. It then gives me an option 4 enable safe mode but won't let me click on it. I tried typing in 4 and then restart but it just restarts in normal mode.

[pinkyboyid]

You were almost there, the numbers shown on-screen refer to pressing the corresponding Function key number. So, you should press the F4 key when you reach the 'Startup Settings' screen to restart in Safe Mode.

[Jackdaw33]

I did that but no joy. Thanks for all your advice but I think I'll leave well alone for now. I can type with the online keyboard till I get it sorted. Funny how all the missing characters are all in a block;

9 0 -
o p [
l ; #
/.
and their shift counterparts.

antheir shirt

[Hypognosis]

@Jackdaw

It could be that a crack in the circuit board has broken all the tracks to those keys.

(I'm picturing a desktop PC, with separate keyboard but will re-read the thread to see if you said laptop...)

[Jackdaw33]

It is a laptop.

[Hypognosis]

@Jackdaw

You said numberpad, so I am assuming an external one. Cheap to replace and "plug'n'play".

Entering alt-characters on a keypadless laptop appears to be an artform in itself: I googled and found reams of questions about it but few solutions that worked for me. Have to fire up charmap.exe, every time. :-/

[Hypognosis]

@jackdaw
Replies crossed in the post. Laptop keyboard replacement is outwith my experience. At worst it might be one of those ribbon connectors which isn't designed to be unplugged.

[Jackdaw33]

No, the internal number pad works fine. Since Pinky told me how to enable the online keyboard I'm much happier.

[Giggsie]

I know how you feel my space bar does not work very frustrating

[CrapAtCryptics]

Replacement keyboards, even on a laptop, are neither expensive or difficult to fit - you can probably find a video on Youtube