Why does keyboard/key character mapping get scrambled?

[KeBo]

Occasionally, I think so far only during web surfing
activity, I will notice that the characters that I type
in a window (sometimes the Google search window,the Add
Favorites window, or really any other window I may have
open and attempt to type in) will not match the key I
type. It seems that the only way I can correct the
key/character mapping then is to start closing windows
until typing enters the character matching the keytop.
It is frustrating to essentially suspend what I am doing,
and to start closing windows to correct the problem.
Does anyone know what is causing this, and if I can
correct it? I have searched the forum, but can only find
a reference to mapping of hotkeys, but not the problem I
have described. I have considered reinstalling the
keyboard driver or Internet Explorer 6. I don't know what
triggers the problem, but is occasional.

 

[Robert Aldwinckle]

Which OS? One possible explanation would be that you have multiple
input languages defined (e.g. in Regional Settings) and are accidentally
using the default keyboard toggle to switch from one to the other
(something that is IMO too easy to do especially if you aren't aware of it.)
If you also don't have the Systray indicator active the only way that you
would be aware of such a switch is to experience symptoms such as you
have described.