Hi,

I have a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop that is almost 3 months old and I'm having trouble with one of the keys on the keyboard. It has been there right from the time I bought the keyboard.

The "greater than" and "less than" symbols are on one key on my laptop and somehow whenever I click on that to use those symbols, I'm never able to, when I click on those I always get either ` or ~ (with the Shift key).

As a result, I'm never able to use the greater than and less than symbols. I've tried using Alt, Shift as well as Ctrl with that key to try and get those symbols to appear, but they don't. I even tried changing the language on the computer to English UK, but that's no help either.

I know I could use the character map for those symbols, but I'm using some software for which I can't exactly use anything external symbols (which includes symbols from character map) except the ones on my keyboard.

I would really appreciate some help with this. Thanks very much!!!

[Sorry about crossposting across forums!]

Are there any lights on on the keyboard such as: Num Lock / Scroll lock / Caps lock?

Actually, I tried typing with the NumLock key on and off, both didn't work. Neither did Scroll Lock or CapsLock.

Just to clarify: are you saying these keys do not work at all?

Or are you saying they don't help your <> problem?

Oh.. the key does work...but it displays either ` or ~ when I click on it. (The latter symbol is with the Shift key).

Sorry what I meant was your lock keys. Do they work?

Oh sorry, yes, they do work.

OK just to review: the laptop was always like this?

Was it originally setup as an English/US? Are you in the US?

This is often an US/UK issue as you apparently are aware of.

Also have you ever called/rung up Dell regarding this?

Actually, I am in the US right now, but I bought the laptop in January from the Middle East and it seems to be working fine *knocking on wood*, except for this one key.

Also, I think the light for the Scroll Key isn't coming on, I just tried it. My ScrollLock and NumLock are on the same key.

I'm beginning to wonder whether there might be some setting on the system that I need to toggle in order to modify the keyboard settings because I also notice that on most computers I've used earlier, when I type the 'apostrophe' keys, they appear instantly but on a few computers, even on my current laptop, when I type the apostrophe keys, I have to type something else or hit the spacebar in order for the " or ' to show. :S

Do you think there is some way to modify the settings (except for the Keyboard option in Ctrl Panel) which might also solve my greater than/less than problem?

This is another post I found that lead me to the "lock" questions:

Hi Kristina, what's happened is that the number lock got turned on somehow. You'll find the "numlk" key on the top right of the keyboard, usually on the same key as the "Scrlk" key, and it will probably be in the same light violet print. You'll need to hold another key down, and then press the numlk key to turn it off. The other key may be the shift key, or one with violet print labeled function, or FN. You should also see an indicator light go off when you turn it off. Usually it's an up arrow with the number one in it.

I also reiterate this laptop should be under full warranty so calling Dell should be a free option.