New Mac User Text Problem

[Tarkus]

I'm a mac newbee. Using osx 10.3.9. Whenever I try typing in any program from Safari to emails and docs, the keyboard isn't working right. Letters like "O" and "P" don't work. If I press #5, I get "B5", 6=N6 and Z makes a "1". Is the keyboard bad or is there some setting that is incorrect?
Thanks.

 

[Kaveman]

System Preferences > Language & Text > Input Sources needs to match the keyboard.

 

[Tarkus]

Thanks for the reply. I click on the apple and system prefrences but I don't see "Language & Text" or anything similar. Where am I going wrong? I do see a us flag in the top right corner.

 

[Kaveman]

In that case you have a hardware problem, take it to an Apple Service Centre, near you.

 

[Tarkus]

Think it's just the keyboard?

 

[Kaveman]

Is it a Laptop? if not swop keyboards and see. There's nothing in software that should do this.

 

[Kaveman]

In fact if you can lay your hands on a USB keyboard it would be worth plugging that in and seeing if it has the same problem.

 

[Tarkus]

Thanks for all your help. I'm such a MAC newbee that I didn't realize you could use any usb keyboard. Anyway, it is a keyboard issue. PC keyboard works fine. I stuck the Mac keyboard in my shower, and when it dries, I'll try it. I think the previous owner spilled something on it.

 

[Spawn_Dooley]

I recently had great success cleaning after a bad spill over my macs aluminium keyboard by using Rubbing Alcohol. I first tried washing it under the tap and letting it drip dry for several days but it didn't help.

It's fiddly taking off the keys (lucky for me I only had to remove 4 keys) and you have to be really vigilant to see how it all goes back together again.

You can also use a can of Compressed Air & a damp cloth.