keyboard alt+0176 problem

[John]

pc running win2k pro

previously no problem with entering graphic symbols using
the ALT + 4 digit combination, such as the degree sign
which is ALT+0176 (on the numeric keypad)

Now all of a sudden, something has changed so that there
are only 9 different symbols displayed when using the ALT
method -- they only depend on the last digit of the 4
digit number -- so it does not matter if you use 0136 or
0176 or 0196, they all show the same thing, AND...it is
NOT the appropriate symbol ... that particular combination
shows the spades character.

I have done the following:
1. uninstalled the keyboard driver in control panel - let
win2k reinstall on reboot -- still have the problem.
2. picked a different keyboard driver - even though it was
not the once recommended by windows - it still functioned
the same - so ended up replacing it with the recommend
one -- the standard 101/102-key or Microsoft Natural PS
3. replaced the keyboard twice --- same problem, so I
don't think it is hardware - at least not the keyboard
itself.
4. Done all the windows updates
5. uninstalled some recent software such as text to audio
as well as Internet Information Services component.
6. shutdown and rebooted multiple times(problem at least a
dozen times this morning)

Additionally, when I press the single quote/double quote
key, I get 2 keystrokes instead of one --- only on that
particular key -- this happens on all the keyboards I have
tried -- so I have that additional problem that may be
totally unrelated, but still it persists as a problem.
When the two single quotes for instance appear, I AM able
to hit the backspace ONE time, to eliminate the extra
keystroke.

I can''t (notice the double hit on the apostrophe - I only
hit it once) seem to find anything that helps.

Should this qualify as sufficient reason to leave work
early today??

John B

 

[Rick]

In what app(s) are you trying to type these extended characters?

In apps such as MS-Word, accessible font sets are determined
by which default printer is selected. Make sure the Print Spooler
service is started, and that your default printer is correct.

Rick

 

[john b]

additionally ----

when I go to accessories ->character map and copy the
degree symbol .... I CAN paste it correctly into any
document just fine.

 

[Rick]

Go to Control Panel/Keyboard/Input Locales. Verify English
(United States) is installed. Click Properties. Verify Keyboard
layout is set to "US".

Also check Accessories/Accessibility/Utility Manager, verify
none of Win2K's accessibility utilities are running.

If that doesn't fix the problem it's likely related to third-party
software (you mentioned text-to-audio s/w that was formerly
installed?).

Rick

 

[john]

I reinstalled my default printer driver and that
apparently fixed the double hit with the '/" key
But not the alt+0176 issue
hmmmmm????

I verified the keyboard/input locales -- those were as you
had indicated - so nothing to do there.

The accessibility utilities DID show Narrator running, so
I discontinued that (that was probably as a result of the
text to speech software that had already been removed) -
rebooted, verified it was indeed NOT running --- but the
problem still persists.

Now, for an additional twist. I CAN create a new e-mail
using OUTLOOK EXPRESS and in the To:, CC:, and Subject:
textboxes, the ALT+0176 works fine !!! As soon as I drop
down to the message area, the above combination reverts
back to the same problem - displaying a spades character.

Really hmmmmmm???????

I can't seem to see any remaining installed software that
might be responsible for this. It might be if previously
installed software was the problem, the uninstall didn't
do a thorough job of resetting everything correctly.

I'm starting to think that my only solution may end up
being a reinstall of win2k -- hard to justify the effort
for a simple graphics symbol - although it is handy for
documenting tool information (different angles like 118
degrees or 90 degrees) in our tool shop.

I'm still open to any further suggestions and really
appreciate the help so far.
Thanks!
John

 

[Rick]

I reinstalled my default printer driver and that
apparently fixed the double hit with the '/" key
But not the alt+0176 issue
hmmmmm????

I verified the keyboard/input locales -- those were as you
had indicated - so nothing to do there.

The accessibility utilities DID show Narrator running, so
I discontinued that (that was probably as a result of the
text to speech software that had already been removed) -
rebooted, verified it was indeed NOT running --- but the
problem still persists.

Now, for an additional twist. I CAN create a new e-mail
using OUTLOOK EXPRESS and in the To:, CC:, and Subject:
textboxes, the ALT+0176 works fine !!! As soon as I drop
down to the message area, the above combination reverts
back to the same problem - displaying a spades character.

Really hmmmmmm???????

Check Tools/Options in OE:

Send: International Settings, should be Western European [ISO]

Compose: Font Settings, should be Arial or any other font that
supports upper ASCII characters. Shouldn't be affecting things
like MS-Office & Notepad, but you never know..

I can't seem to see any remaining installed software that
might be responsible for this. It might be if previously
installed software was the problem, the uninstall didn't
do a thorough job of resetting everything correctly.
Probably.

I'm starting to think that my only solution may end up
being a reinstall of win2k -- hard to justify the effort
for a simple graphics symbol - although it is handy for
documenting tool information (different angles like 118
degrees or 90 degrees) in our tool shop.

I'm still open to any further suggestions and really
appreciate the help so far.
Thanks!
John

No problem.

Rick