keyboard mapping incorrectly in remote desktop connection

[Guest]

When I use remote desktop connection from my laptop (local - XP home) to my
desktop (XP Pro SP2), the mouse works correctly but the keyboard mapping is
scrambled. The keys seem to be randomly remapped. A few of the keys work
properly, but most type a different character in the remote session.

Both computers are on a local network via a linksys ethernet router - the
desktop
is wired, the laptop is wireless. I can run outlook or any other program as
long as
I only have to mouse-click.

 

[Guest]

After much fruitless trial-and-error effort and researching books
and websites, I finally stumbled upon a solution.

Login on the remote computer first (can't "Switch User" -- k/b
is again scrambled), then RDC from my laptop.

Had tried uninstalling Windows Defender, opening port 3389
in my firewall(s), and making both machines "Local Intranet"
to one another.