Computer inquiry

[Obvious Li]

as some of you may know i am semi-illiterate when it comes to computers....now i have a question for the resident computer guru`s on here.....i bought a new HP laptop about a year ago....it has the following bad habit



on the keyboard are several blue symbols associated with a particular key.....when i boot the computer up it is in it`s normal mode and works fine. However, invariably when i am typing i must accidentally hit whatever key is required to take it out of normal mode and into the mode where the blue keys take over so that when i hit the question mark key it shows as éééééééÉÉÉÉÉÉ ..... or the quotation key becomes `````````````etc. i cannot seem to figure out which key activates this change so i can avoid hitting it or if i do get it to revert back to normal mode.....the only way i can do it now is to log out and log back in and it is normal again....seriously i have tried every key and combination i can think of with no success.....the fix is probably simple but it presently escapes me...your help would be appreciated

[Obvious Li]

are you folks telling me that none of you are smarter than me on a computer...or are you IGNORING my issue...... lol

[Securious]

Guess what Obvious I am as dumb as you.. I admit to being a Neo-Luddite. So when it comes to technical matters such as yours I am in the dark too. Somebody pls help this poor person in  dire distress immediately before the big one happens!

[cc]

I saw you message, did have it happen for a while a few months ago - but couldn't remember the cause / cure



1. If you are referring also to a character continuing as part of the problem, Then Eurika!!!! I just rememberedddddddddddddd.



A key was stuck in the down position - cleaned my keyboard and voila!! - fixed - A dirty OR screwed up keyboard will do this, just as if you had held a key down



2. As to a key that changes other keys, look for the "FN" key maybe? - or another "not usual looking" / not a usual character"  key. When it happens, just press that key to change it back.



You can get online manuals for any computer with a search of internet by brand & model # - go to keyboard area and it will tell you any keys that are designed to do what you describe (change key operation)

[Obvious Li]

thx all will continue playing with it to see if i can find the secret code