Shift + number keys not giving expected symbols

Anonymous
2011-02-13T08:03:49+00:00

At first, I thought my new keyboard was messed up. So I switched from the brand new one back to my old one. And I still have the same problem. Whwn I hold down the SHIFT and 2 key on my keyboard, it suppossed to make the @ sign right

It doesnt.. instead it makes this " (a paranthesis). Same with Shift and 3 keyboard, it makes a slash instead of the usual number sign.

Still, if I wanna make the at sign, I gotta hold down ALT and then key 2... see... @

As for a question mark key... I cant even get that to work. Something is messed up here, and its really annoying. I need my old ways of typing back. Can anyone help me thanks in advance.

Dan

*original title - Just bought a brand new HP computer.. came with Windows 7. My Shift Key wont work...*

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2011-02-13T11:10:38+00:00

Sounds as if you have selected an input language other than English. Control Panel, Region and Language; also check to see if your new keyboard has a language selection available that may need to be changed.

<Nintendan> wrote in message news:*** Email address is removed for privacy ***...

At first, I thought my new keyboard was messed up. So I switched from the brand new one back to my old one. And I still have the same problem. Whwn I hold down the SHIFT and 2 key on my keyboard, it suppossed to make the @ sign right

It doesnt.. instead it makes this " (a paranthesis). Same with Shift and 3 keyboard, it makes a slash instead of the usual number sign.

Still, if I wanna make the at sign, I gotta hold down ALT and then key 2... see... @

As for a question mark key... I cant even get that to work. Something is messed up here, and its really annoying. I need my old ways of typing back. Can anyone help me thanks in advance.

Dan

Was this answer helpful?

400+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

97 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-01-01T01:11:06+00:00

    Go to the "keyboard language" next to your time and date and change language to English.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-10-12T12:11:34+00:00

    I did not like the keyboard that came with my Dell Desktop, so decided to try and use an Anker 7721 that was purchased to use with an iPad. At first I had problems pairing, but sorted that out. Then I noticed (when entering an email address) that Shift 2 which  should have given me @ in fact gave me ". Shift 3 instead of giving me the number symbol (two angled slashes and two horizontal slashes) in fact give me the £ sign. I then discovered that Shift ' gave me @ (opposite of Shift 2) - all other keys appear OK. I have changed language ie. English - American to English UK but that has not solved my problem. Not catastrophic, but would like to get it right. Can anyone help please?

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-03-23T11:02:33+00:00

    I am having the same issue and nothing seems to fix it.

    look at what keyboard language you are using,...  it may be other than the USA

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-01-30T08:25:02+00:00

    my problem was solved by using the US English keyboard.

    Thank you to all who replied.

    Peter

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments